WATCH: Pitt State aims to build team chemistry ahead of their 2021-2022 season.

The Gorillas return four starters from last year’s team that went 10-12 overall.

“Last year was hard because you really couldn’t do much together as a team. You kind of had to stay away from each other,” says head coach Kim Anderson, “This year we’ve been able to do a lot of neat things. We are really good at bowling, if anybody wants to bowl. We took the guys to Lake of the Ozarks and watched them fish. That was good. We’ve done more things together and some community service stuff. I know it’s not normal, but it’s almost like normal. I think that’s been invigorating for our guys.”

RELEASE FROM PITTSBURG STATE ATHLETICS:

The Pittsburg State University men’s basketball team was picked eighth in the 2021-22 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll and ninth in the MIAA Preseason Media Poll released today (Oct. 12).

The Gorillas received 86 points in the coaches poll and 61 points in the media poll.

Northwest Missouri State University was the unanimous preseason No. 1 ranked team in both polls. Washburn University was picked second in both polls, while the University of Central Oklahoma (coaches) and Missouri Western State University (media) both earned third-place nods in the respective polls.

Pitt State returns four starters from its 2020-21 squad. The Gorillas open exhibition action on Oct. 29 when the Gorillas host Avila University at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.

2021-22 MIAA Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (13)   169
2. Washburn (1)              157
3. Central Oklahoma          141
4. Missouri Southern         125
5. Missouri Western          115
6. Fort Hays State           112
7. Rogers State               88
8. Pittsburg State            86
9. Emporia State              78
10. Lincoln                    60
11. Central Missouri           59
12. Nebraska Kearney           39
13. Northeastern State         31
14. Newman                     14

( ) first place votes

2021-22 MIAA Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (9)    126
2. Washburn                  116
3. Missouri Western           99
4. Missouri Southern          90
5. Central Oklahoma           86
6. Fort Hays State            74
7. Emporia State              73
8. Rogers State               63
9. Pittsburg State            61
10. Lincoln                    60
11. Central Missouri           38
12. Nebraska Kearney           28
13. Northeastern State         16
14. Newman                     15

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