Men's Basketball 10/10/2023 9:30:00 AM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Picked Fourth In MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll

Bronchos Picked Second In Poll Of Local Media

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The MIAA announced Tuesday its preseason polls ahead of the 2023-24 season live from Basketball Media Day. Central Oklahoma was picked second in the media poll and fourth in the coaches' poll.

READ THE MIAA RELEASE HERE

UCO received one first-place vote from the poll of 14 league head coaches. Defending league champion Northwest Missouri was picked first with 11 first-place votes. Emporia State, second, and Fort Hays State, third, also received one first-place vote to land just ahead of the Bronchos.

Central received two first-place votes in the media preseason poll. Northwest was also picked first there. Emporia State and Fort Hays State were third and fourth in the media poll behind the Bronchos.

Central Oklahoma begins the 2023-24 season in November with the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Lakeland, Florida Nov. 4-5. The Bronchos follow that up Nov. 10-11 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma for the Central Region Challenge.

UCO will be home for two non-conference games in November. The Bronchos host Southwestern Christian Sunday, Nov. 19 and Tabor College Sunday, Nov. 26 at Hamilton Field House.

Central Oklahoma returns eight lettermen from the 2022-23 squad that made the NCAA Division II national tournament for the second year in a row. The Bronchos also return three starters from that group, including All-MIAA guard Jaden Wells, who averaged 16.5 points per game last season and led the MIAA in 3-point field-goal percentage.

Jalyn Turner and Danquez Dawsey also return in the starting lineup. Preston Aymond and Luke Haasl are also both back and will move into starting roles this winter. Gunner Korstjens, Mike Quick Jr., and Ben Averitt round out the returners.

Central Oklahoma also added two transfers and six freshmen to their squad.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Ben Averitt: G; 6' 6"; Sophomore

#23 Preston Aymond: F; 6' 7"; Junior

#3 Danquez Dawsey: G; 6' 2"; Junior

#11 Luke Haasl: F; 6' 10"; Junior

#15 Gunner Korstjens: G; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#0 Mike Quick Jr.: G; 6' 5"; Sophomore

#10 Jalyn Turner: F; 6' 6"; Senior

#2 Jaden Wells: G; 6' 1"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#12 Ben Averitt
: 6' 6"; Sophomore
: G

#23 Preston Aymond
: 6' 7"; Junior
: F

#3 Danquez Dawsey
: 6' 2"; Junior
: G

#11 Luke Haasl
: 6' 10"; Junior
: F

#15 Gunner Korstjens
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: G

#0 Mike Quick Jr.
: 6' 5"; Sophomore
: G

#10 Jalyn Turner
: 6' 6"; Senior
: F

#2 Jaden Wells
: 6' 1"; Junior
: G