The Emporia State men’s basketball team is ranked 20th in the preseason National Association of Basketball Coaches poll. The Hornets are ranked in the preseason for the first time since 2007, the year after the program’s second-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. The Hornets finished 23-9 last season while going 15-7 inside ‘the Association’ and gave ESU its first back-to-back 20-win seasons since doing it three-straight years from 1987-90 to end the program’s tenure inside the NAIA. Northwest Missouri State received 10 of a possible 16 first place votes to start the year ranked first followed by Nova Southeastern, West Liberty, Indiana (PA), and Indianapolis. Central Oklahoma is ninth while Fort Hays State is receiving votes. The Hornets have nonconference games scheduled against preseason #5 Indianapolis and #8 UNC Pembroke. E-State will also play Virginia Union on the road this weekend in Florida. The Panthers received votes in the preseason poll. Kansas State hosts the Hornets in exhibition play Wednesday night. Pregame coverage starts at 6:00 p.m. for the K-State Sports Network on Country 101.7. The RV Doc Pregame Show begins at 6:30 p.m. for the Emporia State broadcast on Mix 104.9.
Hornet Basketball Starts Year in Top 25
Courtesy ESU Athletics.
