Minnesota State University, Mankato was selected by the league coaches as the overall and south division preseason favorite in the NSIC for 2017. The Mavericks received four first place votes and amassed 213 points, four points ahead of Minnesota Duluth (209), which garnered seven first place votes and was the coaches’ top choice in the north division. The defending Mineral Water Bowl Champions from Bemidji State were third with 184 points and two first place votes. Augustana was fourth with 172 points and a first place vote, while defending NSIC Champions, Sioux Falls was picked fifth overall (171) and received two first place votes.
Overall Points North Division Points
1. Minnesota State (4) 213 1. Minnesota Duluth (6) 48
2. Minnesota Duluth (7) 209 2. Bemidji State (2) 41
3. Bemidji State (2) 184 3. MSU Moorhead 34
4. Augustana (1) 172 4. Northern State 33
5. Sioux Falls (2) 171 5. St. Cloud State 28
6. Winona State 165 6. Minot State 20
7. MSU Moorhead 137 7. UMary 12
8. Southwest Minnesota State 129 8. Minnesota Crookston 8
9. Northern State 121 South Division Points
10. St. Cloud State 101 1. Minnesota State (6) 48
11. Upper Iowa 86 2. Augustana (1) 38
12. Wayne State 81 3. Sioux Falls (1) 35
13. Concordia-St. Paul 54 4. Winona State 34
14. Minot State 51 5. Southwest Minnesota State 30
15. UMary 29 6. Wayne State 17
16. Minnesota Crookston 17 7. Upper Iowa 14
first place votes in ( ) 8. Concordia-St. Paul 8