SIOUX CITY, Iowa – After claiming a share of the GPAC regular season title last season, the Northwestern men’s basketball team was picked second in the 2024-25 GPAC preseason coaches’ poll.
Northwestern received 93 points in the poll, along with four of the 11 first-place votes. Concordia (Neb.) was selected to the top spot, receiving 94 points and six first-place votes. The final first-place vote went to Dordt, third in the poll. Rounding out the top five was Morningside, and Briar Cliff.
The Raiders finished the 2023-24 season with a 25-8 overall record, going 15-5 in conference play. They also earned a host bid for the NAIA First and Second Rounds, defeating Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (Ind.) and Oregon Tech to advance to the NAIA Round of 16 in Kansas City. Northwestern returns nine players from last year’s national tournament team, including three starters.
Dordt was 19-11 overall last season, and finished 5th in the GPAC with a 12-8 mark. The Defenders qualified for the NAIA opening round, and fell in the First Round to Madonna, Michigan. Dordt returns 4 starters for the 2024-25 season.
Below are the full results of the preseason coaches’ poll.
Rank Team Points (1st Place Votes)
1 Concordia Bulldogs 94 (6)
2 Northwestern Red Raiders 93 (4)
3 Dordt Defenders 83 (1)
4 Morningside Mustangs 73
5 Briar Cliff Chargers 64
6 Dakota Wesleyan Tigers 53
7 Hastings Broncos 50
8 Midland Warriors 32
9 Doane Tigers 30
10 Mount Marty Lancers 22
11 Waldorf Warriors 11
