The Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team is tied atop the preseason Great Plains Athletic Conference women's basketball poll, while the DWU men's team was picked No. 3.
DWU and Morningside each totaled 95 points to top the GPAC women's poll. The Tigers tallied six first-place votes, while the Mustangs picked up five first-place votes.
Last year, Morningside took the regular season and tournament titles in the GPAC, with DWU finishing as runner-up in the tournament. In all, six teams (Morningside, Dakota Wesleyan, Concordia, Mount Marty, Briar Cliff and Hastings) qualified for the NAIA Women's Basketball Division II National Championship Tournament.
Points were awarded on an 10-1 basis and coaches could not vote for their own team.
Briar Cliff totaled 81 points and was tabbed as the No. 1 team in the preseason men's GPAC poll. Briar Cliff won both the regular season and tournament championships last year in the GPAC.
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The DWU men tallied 57 points. Last season, Dakota Wesleyan also earned a berth to the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament.
Points were awarded on a 9-1 basis and coaches could not vote for their own team.
The DWU men will open the season against Waldorf on Oct. 28 at the Corn Palace. The DWU women will open the season at Johnson & Wales (Colorado) on Oct. 27.
GPAC Women's Preseason Poll
1. Dakota Wesleyan (6) 95
1. Morningside (5) 95
3. Concordia 76
4. Briar Cliff 72
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5. Northwestern 67
6. Hastings 60
7. Doane 39
8. Mount Marty 31
9. College of Saint Mary 27
10. Dordt 22
11. Midland 21
GPAC Men's Preseason Poll
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1. Briar Cliff (9) 81
2. Midland (1) 72
3. Dakota Wesleyan 57
4. Dordt 53
5. Morningside 48
6. Northwestern 44
7. Hastings 37
8. Concordia 32
9. Doane 17
10. Mount Marty 9
