The Dakota Wesleyan University basketball teams were both picked within the top-six of the preseason Great Plains Athletic Conference coaches polls.
The Tiger men were picked fifth in the preseason poll after tallying 62 points. The DWU women were tabbed sixth with 74 points in the poll.
Morningside totaled 96 points and is the preseason favorite in the men’s poll. The Mustangs tallied seven first place votes. Northwestern, with 84 points and the two first place votes, is picked second. Dordt was third in the balloting with 78 points and one first place vote. Jamestown, picked fourth, had the final first place vote.
Morningside won the regular season championship last year in the GPAC, with Concordia claiming the tournament title.
DWU, which went 23-9 last season, is slated to open the season on Nov. 7-8 at the Sanford Pentagon against Valley City State and Presentation College.
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Dordt University totaled 131 points and is the preseason favorite in the women’s poll. The Defenders tallied just six of the possible twelve first place votes while Concordia was picked second with 110 points and five first place votes. Morningside was tabbed third with 105 points and one first place vote in the balloting. Northwestern College (88) and Hastings College (77) were picked fourth and fifth, respectively.
Last year, Concordia won the regular season and tournament titles in the GPAC. The Bulldogs were the No. 1 seed at the NAIA Division II women’s basketball tournament before it was cut short due to Covid-19. Concordia finished with a record of 32-2.
DWU, which went 21-11 last season, will host Carroll College on Nov. 4 at the Corn Palace.
