The Southern women are coming off an 18-10 record and return three starters from a year ago, five seniors from last year's squad and seven seniors overall. The women received 54 points and were nine points out of fourth place.

Robert Corn's men's team returns three starters, as well, from a team that finished 17-11 last season and had it's 10th straight appearance in the MIAA Tournament. The men received 44 points, just 11 points behind fifth place Washburn.

Washburn was picked to win the women's side, narrowly followed by Emporia State. Northwest Missouri, Central Missouri, Southern, Missouri Western, Nebraska-Omaha, Pittsburg State, Southwest Baptist, Truman and Fort Hays make up the rest of the women's preseason poll.

Southwest Baptist, a preseason top ten team nationally, was picked to win the men's crown and received eight of the possible 10 first place votes. Central Missouri was second, followed by Nebraska-Omaha, Fort Hays, Northwest Missouri, Washburn, Southern, Emporia State, Pittsburg State, Missouri Western and Truman.

The Southern men open up their exhibition schedule with a road trip to Carbondale, Illinois to take on Southern Illinois on November 3 and will face off with the Missouri Tigers on November 11 in Columbia. The Lions open up the regular season at home on November 15 with Newman University at 7 pm.

The women will play host to Livin the Dream in an exhibition contest on November 7 at 5:30 pm. The Lions open up the regular season in the Pittsburg State Classic on November 15 against Southwestern (Kan.) at 5:30 pm.