Overview

• At MIAA Media Day in Kansas City, Washburn’s men were voted preseason No. 1 by both coaches and media.
• The men enter off a 30-4 campaign that reached the Division II Final Four, now rebuilding around lone returning starter Jack Bachelor with four transfers joining the rotation.
• Washburn’s women, bringing back all five starters and 91% of their scoring, were slotted No. 2 in the coaches poll (with the most first-place votes) and No. 3 by the media.
• The men open Nov. 1–2 at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Lakeland, facing Augusta and Final Four qualifier Dallas Baptist, with a Minnesota State–Moorhead rematch and a Nov. 19 home debut vs. Rockhurst to follow.
• The women start Nov. 14–15 at the Central Region Challenge in Edmond against St. Cloud State and Southwest Minnesota State, then host Southwest Baptist on Nov. 21 in the renovated Lee Arena, led by standout center Yiibari Nwidadah (16.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg).