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The Truman men’s basketball team was picked to finish 12th by the regional media and 13th by league coaches in the 2012-13 unveiling of the MIAA Basketball Preseason Polls through the league office.
 
Truman earned 54 points in the coaches’ poll, trailing Missouri Western for 12th, but traded places with the Griffons in the media poll, earning 89 total points.

 Washburn picked up the top spot in both polls, with Central Missouri and Northwest Missouri ranking second and third in each as well.
 
The MIAA expanded to 15 teams this past off-season, adding Central Oklahoma, Lindenwood, Nebraska-Kearney and Northeastern State to what was an 11-team league last season.

This year, the 15 teams will be grouped into three “pods”, all falling under one set of standings, with the Bulldogs set to play Central Missouri, Lindenwood, Southwest Baptist and Lincoln twice each, while facing off once against the remaining 10 teams for a total of 18 conference games.
 
The Bulldogs are coming off an 8-20 (5-15 MIAA) season and will return all five starters under second-year head coach Matt Woodley.

Leading the charge amongst the eight total returning letterwinners will be last season’s MIAA Freshman of the Year Seth Jackson (11.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and junior Mike Carlson (10.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg), while six newcomers also grace the 2012-13 roster.
 
Woodley’s squad returns 92.6% of its scoring, 87.3% of its rebounding and 98.5% of its total assists for the 2012-13 season, which is set to get underway with an exhibition game at Southeast Missouri State on November 5 before tipping off the regular season on November 9 at home against William Penn (Iowa).
 
Average Rank School Coach Pts (Rank) Media Pts (Rank)

1 Washburn 188 (1) 267 (1)
2 Central Missouri 180 (2) 243 (2)
3 Northwest Missouri 170 (3) 204 (3)
4.5 Pittsburg State 137 (T4) 173 (5)
5 Fort Hays State 137 (T4) 171 (T6)
5 Missouri Southern 131 (6) 204 (4)
7 Lindenwood 107 (8) 171 (T6)
8 Central Oklahoma 119 (7) 132 (9)
8.5 Southwest Baptist 89 (9) 146 (8)
10 Emporia State 73 (10) 96 (10)
11 Nebraska-Kearney 70 (11) 94 (11)
12.5 Truman 54 (13) 89 (12)
12.5 Missouri Western 65 (12) 74 (13)
14 Northeastern State 39 (14) 43 (14)
15 Lincoln 16 (15) 21 (15) 
 
Courtesy Truman State University