Morningside University totaled 93 points and is the preseason coaches’ selection to win the 2023-24 Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Men’s Basketball Championship. The Mustangs received 93 points, and just edged out Northwestern who was picked second with 92 points. Both squads tallied five first-place votes. Dordt, with 85 points and one first-place vote, was picked third. Jamestown and Concordia round out the top five respectively.
Morningside and Jamestown were co-champions of the regular season last year in the GPAC with a record of 15-5 in conference play. Dordt claimed the tournament title with a win over Jamestown last year. Northwestern, Dordt, Jamestown, Morningside, and Concordia all qualified for the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship tournament in 2022-23.
The Red Raiders finished fourth in the conference standings last year with a record of 20-10 (13-7 GPAC), Northwestern advanced to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) First Round, falling to Southwestern (Kan.).
| 2023-24 GPAC Preseason Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Poll | |||
| Place | School | Pts (1st place votes) | 2022-23 Record (GPAC record) |
| 1. | Morningside Mustangs | 93 (5) | 24-8 (15-5 GPAC); NAIA Round of 16 |
| 2. | Northwestern Red Raiders | 92 (5) | 20-10 (13-7 GPAC); NAIA First Round |
| 3. | Dordt Defenders | 85 (1) | 26-7 (14-6 GPAC); GPAC Tournament Champion; NAIA Second Round |
| 4. | Jamestown Jimmies | 72 | 27-7 (15-5 GPAC); GPAC Regular Season Champion; NAIA Round of 16 |
| 5. | Concordia (Neb.) Bulldogs | 68 | 18-13 (11-9 GPAC); NAIA First Round |
| 6. | Dakota Wesleyan Tigers | 47 | 13-16 (9-11 GPAC) |
| 7. | Doane Tigers | 46 | 11-17 (8-12 GPAC) |
| 8. | Briar Cliff Chargers | 33 | 14-14 (8-12 GPAC) |
| 9. | Hastings Broncos | 30 | 15-14 (8-12 GPAC) |
| 10. | Mount Marty Lancers | 22 | 9-19 (5-15 GPAC) |
| 11. | Midland Warriros | 17 | 10-18 (4-16 GPAC) |
