OVERLAND PARK, KS - The Heart of America Athletic Conference announced its 2023-24 Heart Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday afternoon and MidAmerica Nazarene University was chosen to finish first this season, according to the 13 Heart head coaches.

Under first-year head coach Adam Hepker, MNU went 20-10 overall and 15-7 in the Heart last season and advanced to the NAIA National Championship First Round.

The Pioneers last won a Heart men's basketball regular season title in 2016 when they shared the title with William Penn and Peru State. Their last outright regular season championship was in 2012.

The Heart sent five teams to the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship First Round last season.

William Penn is the defending Heart regular season and tournament champions. The Statesmen have won four-straight Heart regular season titles and four-straight Heart Conference Tournament Championships.

MNU earned the most votes in the poll with 136 and had six first-place votes, while William Penn earned 131 votes and six first-place votes. Baker earned the other first-place vote and had a total of 118 votes to finish third in the Preseason Poll.

The conference will host its annual Heart Men's Basketball Media Day on Monday, October 23. It will feature an interview with all 13 head coaches and a student-athlete from each squad. To view all 13 Media Day interviews, please click here.