Men's Basketball 10/8/2024 9:03:00 AM

Pitt State Men Picked Second/Third in MIAA Polls

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Pittsburg State University men's basketball team was picked second in the 2024-25 MIAA Preseason Media Poll and third in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll released today (Oct. 8).

The Gorillas received three first-place votes and 229 points in the media poll to land at No. 2 behind preseason favorite Fort Hays State. The Tigers garnered nine first-place votes and 247 points in the poll.

In the coaches poll, Pitt State gained two first-place votes and 149 points to place third overall behind preseason favorite Washburn (eight first-place votes, 161 points) and FHSU (three first-place votes, 156 points).

Pitt State returns two starters and seven letterwinners from last year's squad that posted a 21-11 overall record and qualified for the NCAA Division II National Tournament. The Gorillas posted a 15-7 mark in MIAA play, advancing to the Finals of the 2023-24 MIAA Postseason Tournament.

Head coach Jeff Boschee enters his third season directing the Gorillas. Boschee has a 29-31 mark at PSU and a 180-117 career record.

Sophomore guard Jordan Frison returns for his second year in the program. The Memphis, Tenn., native averaged 11.6 points and dished out 159 assists (5.1 apg) last year while garnering MIAA Freshman of the Year accolades.

Redshirt senior guard R.J. Forney Jr. (Broken Arrow, Okla.) also contributed 7.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game and hit a team-leading 63 3-point field goals last year. Forney was an MIAA All-Defensive Team selection.

Junior guard Tanner Mans (Wichita, Kan.), who started in 14 of 31 games played, added 8.0 points and 3.6 rebounds a game to the Gorillas' stat line.

Pitt State will open the 2024-25 season by hosting the Central Region Tipoff Challenge at Municipal Auditorium at Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 8-10, with the Gorillas battling Winona State and St. Cloud State in the three-day classic format tournament.

2024-25 MIAA Coaches Poll

1. Washburn [8] – 161 points
2. Fort Hays State [3] – 156 points
3. Pittsburg State [2] – 149 points
4. Northwest Missouri [1] – 125 points
5. Central Oklahoma – 120 points
6. Missouri Western – 105 points
7. Central Missouri – 96 points
8. Rogers State – 88 points
9. Emporia State – 79 points
10. Missouri Southern – 66 points
11. Northeastern State – 44 points
12. Nebraska Kearney – 39 points
13. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 24 points
14. Newman – 22 points

[#] - Number of First-Place Votes

2024-25 MIAA Media Poll

1. Fort Hays State [9] – 247 points
2. Pittsburg State [3] – 229 points
3. Northwest Missouri [5] – 217 points
4. Washburn [1] – 212 points
5. Central Oklahoma [1] – 174 points
6. Rogers State – 165 points
7. Missouri Western – 163 points
8. Emporia State – 134 points
9. Missouri Southern – 130 points
10. Central Missouri – 106 points
11. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 74 points
12. Northeastern State – 65 points
13. Nebraska Kearney – 42 points
14. Newman – 36 points

[#] - Number of First-Place Votes

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Players Mentioned

#10 R.J. Forney Jr.: G; 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior

#5 Jordan Frison: G; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#23 Tanner Mans: G; 6' 6"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#10 R.J. Forney Jr.
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior
: G

#5 Jordan Frison
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: G

#23 Tanner Mans
: 6' 6"; Redshirt Junior
: G

Players Mentioned

#10 R.J. Forney Jr.

#5 Jordan Frison

#23 Tanner Mans

Players Mentioned

#10 R.J. Forney Jr.

#5 Jordan Frison

#23 Tanner Mans