ST. LOUIS – Fresh off a regular season title and MVC Tournament crown, Illinois State has been tabbed as the league favorite in the annual coaches’ preseason poll, receiving 79 points and three first-place votes. The Redbirds narrowly edged second-place pick Drake (77 points, three 1st place votes) and Loyola Chicago (75 points, one 1st place vote).

Missouri State (71 points, one 1st place vote) and Bradley (71 points) tied for fourth in the poll, while UNI (68 points, one 1st place vote), Valparaiso (40 points), Indiana State (31 points, one 1st place vote), Evansville (26 points) and Southern Illinois (12 points) round  out the poll.