Central Methodist Picked First in 2023-24 Heart Women's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll

The Heart of America Athletic Conference announced its, 2023-24 Heart Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll on Wednesday afternoon and defending Heart champion Central Methodist University was chosen to finish first this season, according to the 13 Heart head coaches.

Under head coach Mike Davis, CMU went 35-1 overall and a perfect 22-0 in the Heart last season and advanced all the way to the NAIA National Championship Semifinals.

CMU is the defending Heart regular season and conference tournament champions.

The Heart sent four teams to the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship 1st Round last season, including CMU, Clarke, Grand View and MidAmerica Nazarene.

Clarke University won the 2022-23 NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship last year by defeating the defending NAIA National Champions, St. Thomas More (Ky.), 63-52, for their first-ever National Championship.

CMU earned the most votes in the poll with 139 and seven first-place votes, while Clarke earned 127 votes and three first-place votes, tying for second with MidAmerica Nazarene, who also had 127 total votes and three first place votes.

The conference will host its annual Heart Women's Basketball Media Day on Tuesday, October 24. 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.