William Penn Selected to Finish 10th in League
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen men’s basketball team is looking to get back into league contention this season as the 2024-2025 Heart of America Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll was announced Thursday.
WPU, which finished 6-22 a year ago (5-19 Heart), has been picked to finish 10th out of 13 Heart teams with 54 points.
Baker is atop the conference poll with 144 points and 12 first-place votes, while Peru State has 123 points and the final first-place vote to sit in the runner-up spot.
MidAmerica Nazarene (115), Central Methodist (103), and Graceland (103) round out the top five.
Missouri Valley and its 90 points are sixth, while Benedictine (65) leads the next five programs which are separated by just 13 points. The remainder of that crowded quintet includes Culver-Stockton (63), Park (56), WPU, and Grand View (52).
Clarke, with 34 points, and Mount Mercy, with 16, conclude the poll.
William Penn starts play on November 1 against IU Kokomo as part of the Governors State Classic. The league slate will begin on November 13 with the Statesmen hosting Mount Mercy in Oskaloosa.
2024-2025 Heart Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Baker–144 (12)
2. Peru State–123 (1)
3. MidAmerica Nazarene–115
4. Central Methodist–103
5. Graceland–99
6. Missouri Valley–90
7. Benedictine–65
8. Culver-Stockton–63
9. Park–56
10. William Penn–54
11. Grand View–52
12. Clarke–34
13. Mount Mercy–16
