Over the next several days, I'll be posting previews of each team in the Valley. Today I take a look at the Missouri State Bears.
Missouri St.
2006-07: 22-11
(12-6 MVC)
NIT
01.05 at MSU
02.19 at CREI
2006-07 REWIND: Barry Hinson can't catch a break. Universally recognized as the biggest cheerleader for the MVC during their recent renaissance, he uses every opportunity he gets to brag up other schools to the national media. His teams have won over 60 games the last three years, putting them in upper echelon of the conference with Southern Illinois and Creighton. Their RPI the last three years has been 66, 22 and 48.
But he's yet to take them to an NCAA Tournament. In fact, their last NCAA Tourney berth came almost a decade ago under Steve Alford.
Snubbed by the committee two years in a row despite 22 wins each year, the MSU administration to their credit backed Hinson and brought him back for a ninth year. With a new arena opening next year, consistency at the head job should set up the Bears to contend for the title in future years.
Last year's first meeting with Creighton was nationally televised on ESPN2 on December 31, and with 4 minutes to play the Bears were close to sending Jays fans for the exits, leading 70-59. But Anthony Tolliver and Nate Funk scored 13 points in a 16-1 run that fueled a come-from-behind 77-74 win.
In Springfield, the Jays led most of the way, with seniors Nick Porter, Nate Funk and Anthony Tolliver combining for 52 points in a 66-62 win. Funk's 16 second-half points keyed the win.
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Three starters from last year's 22-win NIT team graduated, leaving Hinson with some big holes to fill. Departing are Mr. Free Throw Blake Ahearn (15 points per game, 90%+ free throw percentage), Tyler Chaney (10 points per game) and Nathan Bilyeu (9 points per game).
On the other hand, three seniors return. Deven Mitchell, who averaged 11 points and 5 boards a game, gives them a solid frontcourt option. 6'-9" Drew Richards (8 points per game, 5 boards) and 6'-5" Dale Lamberth (8 and 3) gives them solid frontcourt depth.
Mitchell in particular was the MVC Sixth Man winner last year, and was second on the Bears in scoring and rebounding. His 51% shooting percentage from the field makes him difficult to defend, and he could be in the running for MVC Player of the Year honors.
Richards was a highly-touted recruit after winning Missouri's Mr. Basketball, but has struggled in his first three years in Springfield. Towards the end of his junior year, however, it looked like the light finally came on for him and he scored 15 points with 8 boards in their NIT loss to San Diego State.
The Brothers Laurie will patrol the backcourt. Senior Spencer Laurie transferred from Missouri after Quin Snyder's firing, and spent most of last year getting acclimated to Missouri State's offense. He was sixth in the MVC in assist-to-turnover ratio a year ago, and is one of the top returning point guards in the league. His younger brother Shane doesn't provide much on offense, but is a lockdown defender and had 26 steals last year.
Obviously, help from their recruits will be necessary if Missouri State is to contend for an NIT or even an NCAA berth. To that end, Hinson has brought in a couple of good JUCO players in Chris Cook and Wade Knapp.
Missouri State will be a good team in 2007-08, and with the upheaval in the coaching ranks and loss of star players from other schools, its not out of the question for the Bears to make a run at the league crown. More likely, though, is a first-division finish and a third-straight NIT berth.
PREDICTION: 19-11, Sixth in the Valley.
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