Wayne State men's basketball team was voted 10^th in the 2025-26 NSIC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll released this morning.  Sophomore Matt Noll was tabbed as the WSC Player to Watch.
            The 'Cats return two starters in JJ Ferrin and Noll along with Kai Smith who saw valuable minutes last season. WSC earned 101 points in the vote.
            Southwest Minnesota State claimed the top spot in the poll as they earned 219 points and 11 first place votes. St. Cloud State followed up with the second most first place votes with two and 194 points. Minnesota State (1, 189), Concordia-St. Paul (1, 176), and Augustana (1, 174) are the remaining teams to earn first place votes. Minnesota Duluth was tied fifth with Augustana with 174 points.
            Noll, the 6-7 sophomore and native of Sioux City, Iowa played in all 29 games last season with 28 starts. He led the 'Cats in scoring with 13.0 points per game and collected 4.4 rebounds. Recorded double figures in 21 games and earned All-NSIC Second Team honors.
            Wayne State opens the 2025-26 campaign November 14^th at the Missouri Western Classic where they will take on Emporia State. The first home game is set for Monday, November 17^th when the 'Cats take on Manhattan Christian.
 
2024-25 Preseason NSIC Men's Basketball Coaches Poll
1.         Southwest Minnesota State (11) 219 pts.
2.         St. Cloud State (2)                     194pts.
3.         Minnesota State (1)                   189 pts.
4.         Concordia-St. Paul (1)               176 pts.
5.         Augustana (1)                            174 pts.
6.         Minnesota Duluth                      174 pts.
7.         MSU Moorhead                         138 pts.
8.         Sioux Falls                                120 pts.
9.         Winona State                            115pts.
10.        Wayne State                             101 pts.
11.        Minot State                               79 pts.
12.        Bemidji State                             71 pts.
13.        Northern State                          58 pts.
14.        Jamestown                               54 pts.
15.        Minnesota Crookston                30 pts.
16.        University of Mary                     28 pts.
                        first place votes in ( )
South Division
1.         Southwest Minnesota State        48 pts.
2.         St. Cloud State                          44 pts.
3.         Augustana                                31 pts.
            Minnesota State (6)                   31 pts.
5.         Concordia-St. Paul (2)               30 pts.
6..        Sioux Falls                                15 pts.
7.         Winona State                            14 pts.
8.         Wayne State                             1 pts.
 
North Division
1.         Minnesota Duluth (5)                  47 pts.
2.         MSU Moorhead (2)                    43 pts.
3.         Minot State                               35 pts.
4.         Bemidji State (1)                        30 pts.
5.         Northern State                           24 pts.
6.         Jamestown                               22 pts
7.         Minnesota Crookston                12 pts.
8.         UMary                                      11 pts.