ST. PAUL, Minn.---The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) is set for a new regular season men’s basketball conference champion in 2021-22 following a shortened, unique season last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Leading the pack as the conference favorite for the crown is the University of Northwestern per the preseason coaches’ poll announced Wednesday.
The Eagles topped the coaches’ ballots with 48 points and two first place nods, while Bethany Lutheran College could be in the mix to return to the top of the conference coming in as runner-up with 43 points and two first-place votes.
Northwestern finished second in the single round of games in March, but won the UMAC postseason title with a dominant victory over the College of St. Scholastica for the final time in the UMAC. The Eagles are positioned for their third regular season title in the last four years brining back First Team All-UMAC standouts Noah Alm and Kyle Kaemingk who each averaged over 18 points per game (ppg). Sophomore Henry Fahnbulleh will also remain a strong presence in the paint after scoring 12.5 ppg and pulling in 7.1 rebounds per game (rpg) as a rookie.
Bethany Lutheran last won the conference title in 2017-18 and could be in a position to do so again this year. The Vikings bring back all five starters from 2020-21 and two-time All-UMAC First Team performer Cire Mayfield returns after missing most of last season due to injury. Brian Smith was a First Team pick last year averaging 18.6 ppg, while Hunter Nielsen was Honorable Mention with 13.0 ppg and 7.1 rpg to add to the Vikings presence down low.
North Central University was third in the shortened pandemic season and the coaches predict a similar outcome this year as the Rams pull in at third with 36 points. The University of Wisconsin-Superior and the University of Minnesota Morris were tabbed to vie for the fourth postseason spot with 31 and 26 points, respectively.
The Rams won their first playoff game in school history and look to build on that success with thre return of five double-figure scorers including Second Team guard Seth Fuqua and Rookie of the Year Cameron Thomas. Fuqua led the Rams with 16.1 ppg from the guard position, and Thomas brought depth with 14.0 ppg and 9.4 rpg as well as 45 percent 3-point shooting.
The Yellowjackets return 13 players from last year after the team finished sixth. The squad should see improvement in the final standings as Second Team guards in Mason Ackley and Eli Vogel are back. Vogel scored 16.5 ppg, while Ackley added 10.8 ppg and shot 48.5 percent from the field. J’Vaun Walker was a defensive team pick with 3.0 steals per game (spg) as a rookie.
The Cougars were seventh a year ago but are expected to challenge for a postseason berth this year. Two Honorable Mention veterans in Dillon Haider and Jaret Johnson should help lead the Cougars to success as both averaged 12 ppg or more. Haider also shot 43.7 percent from beyond the arc and dished out 2.3 assists per game (apg), while Johnson tallied 51.5 percent shooting from the field.
The poll wraps up with Crown College sixth (20), Martin Luther College seventh (12) and Northland College eighth (eight). Junior All-UMAC Second Team honoree Seth Royston is back for the Storm after scoring 14.8 ppg last year. The Knights will lean heavily on senior forward Jack Heichelbech who scored 13.2 ppg last year. The LumberJacks hope to improve with veteran Jordan Brennan back after an Honorable Mention campaign with 14.3 ppg.
Non-conference games begin for many teams Friday, Nov. 5 with conference play set to start Friday, Dec. 10. The UMAC schedules this year see teams compete in back-to-back contests on the road or at home on Fridays and Saturdays. The conference tournament field will also feature the top four teams with games set for Feb. 23 and Feb. 26, 2022.
2021-22 UMAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Pl. | School | Pts. |
| 1. | Northwestern | 48 (7) |
| 2. | Bethany Lutheran | 43 (2) |
| 3. | North Central | 36 |
| 4. | Wisconsin-Superior | 31 |
| 5. | Minnesota Morris | 26 |
| 6. | Crown | 20 |
| 7. | Martin Luther | 12 |
| 8. | Northland | 8 |