MCC
[Basketball] 2015-16 Heart of America Conference Basketball Preseason Polls Released
The Heart of Athletic Conference has released the 2015-16 preseason men's and women's basketball polls. It is the first year in the league for Grand View who will now compete at the NAIA Division I level.The Viking men are picked to finish 11th this season. The men were 16-13, 6-6 MCC last year and return a handful of starters including 2014-15 all-conference guards juniors Chase Mullen (Friendswood, Texas) and Kerry Green (Missouri City, Texas).The Grand View women who were MCC regular season co-champions last year (14-18, 9-3 MCC) are predicted to finish fifth in the Heart in 2015-16. The ladies return MCC First Team senior guards Britny Halleland (Story City, Iowa) and Taylor Nashert (Edmond, Okla.) and MCC Honorable Mention selections junior center Maddie Westergard (Fort Calhoun, Neb.) and sophomore forward Renise Collier (Des Moines, Iowa).Defending regular season champions Evangel (Mo.) on the men's side and MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) for the women were picked to repeat as regular season champions.The Crusaders earned seven of 12 first place votes and tallied 109 points to be picked to win the men's championship for the third time in four seasons. MidAmerica Nazarene earned three first place tallies to be picked second with 105 points. Benedictine garnered 95 points to edge Peru State by a point, with the Bobcats claiming the remaining two first place votes. Conference newcomer William Penn rounds out the top five with 78 points.The MNU women were chosen to win the conference title by a five-point margin over Benedictine thanks to a 7-5 edge in first place votes. The Pioneers have won three of the last four regular season championships, while the Ravens won the Heart Tournament crown last season. Baker was selected to earn a third place finish with 102 points, while Culver-Stockton (88 points) and league newcomer Grand View (68) round out the top five.The Grand View men open the 2015-16 season at home on Thursday, Oct. 29 against Morningside at 6 p.m. The Viking women kick off the year by hosting the Grand View Classic October 30-31. The ladies take on Waldorf on Friday, Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. and face Dakota State (S.D.) Saturday, Oct. 31 at 6 p.m.Heart of America Athletic Conference Basketball Preseason Coaches' Polls2015-2016 Heart Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)1. Evangel–109 (7)2. MidAmerica Nazarene–105 (3)3. Benedictine–954. Peru State–94 (2) 5. William Penn–786. Avila–617. Missouri Valley–598. Culver-Stockton–589. Central Methodist–5610. Graceland–3211. Grand View–2512. Baker—20 2015-2016 Heart Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)1. MidAmerica Nazarene–117 (7)2. Benedictine–112 (5)3. Baker–1024. Culver-Stockton–885. Grand View–686. Missouri Valley–657. Central Methodist–628. Evangel–519. Graceland–389. Peru State–3811. William Penn–2712. Avila–24