Basketball 2017 by The Standard at Missouri State University

M2 â&#x20AC;¢ BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2017

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INSIDE 4 Features 5 Men’s preview 6 Alize Johnson 7 Paul Lusk 8 Jarrid Rhodes 9 Jarred Dixon 10-11 Player previews 12 Top five games 13 Last season 14 Around the Valley

Advertising staff Tyler Krtek sales Myles Jackson sales Hailey Gilbreath sales Tessa Phongsavath graphic design Lauren Simpson bookkeeping/office

Editorial staff Emily Joshu editor-in-chief Cortlynn Stark news editor Sarah Teague life editor Alec McChesney sports editor Ryan Welch photo editor Sarah Hollstrom copy editor Alexander Ulrich copy editor/reporter

Reporters/Photographers Megan Burke senior reporter/photographer Matt Campanelli reporter Shelby Dowler reporter Hanna Flanagan reporter

Mary Kay Gagnepain reporter Katie Haynes reporter Maddie Knapp reporter Brenner Moore reporter Collin O’Connell photographer Jonathan Petesch columnist Chloe Skaar senior reporter Ali Spies columnist Chase Stockton columnist Hanna Sumpter senior reporter Nina Todea reporter/photographer Cole Trumble reviewer Bailey Vassalli senior reporter/photographer Mike Volding reporter Blaine Wheeler reporter Aly Weitkamp reporter

Professional staff Jack Dimond faculty adviser Sandy King advertising manager

BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2017 is published by The Standard, Missouri State University’s student-produced newspaper. The university has not approved and is not responsible for its content, which is produced and edited by The Standard staff.

Cover design by Tessa Phongsavath Jersey courtesy of MSU Athletics Communications

Standard staff

The Standard 901 S. National Avenue • Springfield, MO 65897 417-836-5272 • Standard@MissouriState.edu the-standard.org

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Welcome

Alize Johnson: Hardest worker and best player

Confidence: A whole new Jarrid Rhodes

ALEC McCHESNEY Sports Editor @Alec_McChesney

BRENNER MOORE Staff Reporter @Brennerm2

Alize Johnson is really, really good at basketball. He has been for a long time, but up until his first year at Missouri State in 2016, no one else knew it. After averaging 14.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game as a junior and declaring for the 2017 NBA Draft, the world’s eyes are fixated on the 6-foot-9, 212 pound point forward. And yet, as all of the preseason accolades and NBA mock drafts come his way, Johnson remains the Bears’ leader, best player and hardest worker. “I think he’s naturally the alpha dog — he works hard,” head coach Paul Lusk said. “We always talk in coaching that you want your best player to be your hardest worker and that doesn’t always happen. “Your best player may be your best player, that doesn’t mean he’s your hardest worker. But, Alize, he’s a very hard worker.”

Senior Jarrid Rhodes walked into this season a jack of all trades. A near perfect freethrow shooter, a threat outside the key and a physical player at the rim, Rhodes had all the makings of a star player. Only one thing was lacking: confidence. Rhodes identified his lack of confidence as the biggest issue he faced this season. Leaving home early, he returned to Springfield to get a jumpstart on practices. “We worked on ball handling, shooting, deep to slide pass, like non stop, like every day,” Rhodes said. Confidence is not a tangible stat; a player can’t run through drills to increase it. Confidence is influenced by a different variable for each player. For Rhodes, his confidence comes from proving himself to his peers. Rhodes hit the ground running once he

u See JOHNSON page M6

Paul Lusk takes himself off the hot seat ALEC McCHESNEY Sports Editor @Alec_McChesney Alright, alright, alright. The Missouri State men’s basketball team landed another massive recruit a month ago as former No. 1 player in Missouri, Jared Ridder, announced he intended to leave Xavier Univer-

sity to transfer home and play for MSU. And for the first time in two seasons, head coach Paul Lusk has room to breathe on the hot seat. During his tenure at MSU, Lusk has led the Bears to a deflating 88-106 record and despite landing impressive recruits Alize Johnson and Dequon Miller, has yet to finish top three in the Valley. A season ago, fans called for his firing — literally. u See LUSK page M7

Jarred Dixon can do it all for the Bears

u See RHODES page M8

family has history in the game. Jarred’s older brother Michael Dixon played three years of college basketball at Missouri, BLAINE WHEELER winning a Big 12 championship before he graduated from Memphis. Staff Reporter Michael is now successful overseas as a @BlaineWheeler21 point guard for the Georgia national team. The family talents first showed at Lee’s Dixon. When you hear the name, basketball should Summit West High School where his older come to mind — it runs in the family. Jarred, the youngest Dixon, plays basketball as a junior at Missouri State, but his whole u See Dixon page M9

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The Bears celebrate a bucket during their exhibition Nov. 1.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS ALEC McCHESNEY Sports Editor @Alec_McChesney “Expectations for the season are really high.” That’s obvious. But Missouri State’s senior wing Jarrid Rhodes said it several times during the Bears’ preseason action. Junior power forward Obediah Church shared the same sentiment on media day: “We should win it all, from a team standpoint, that’s what we should do. With all of this new talent and all of the returning talent, we should be at the top. There’s a lot of excitement on campus, as well.” Their leader, head coach Paul Lusk, believes it, too. “(Our expectations) are to be really good. We have high expectations, and I think we have a chance to be a very good basketball team. … We feel like we have a really good team and are prepared to make a jump.” The Bears were selected to finish first in the MVC in the Valley preseason polls. It’s more than just talk for this 2017 bunch, however, as the roster boasts the most talent on an MSU team in recent memory. From seniors Rhodes, Ronnie Rousseau III and Alize Johnson, who recently found himself in the first round of a 2018 mock draft by HoopsHype, the Bears are loaded at the top. “It’s unbelievable,” Church said. “It’s unbelievable the talent we have this year. We are just ready to put everything together and get things rolling to get ready for the first game. “It’s about time.” With all of the talent, the Bears enter a rare win-now mode. “We don’t shy away from that,” Lusk said. “Our guys are really good guys, we have worked hard. We have a lot to prove. It’s preseason polls: It does not matter where you are picked, it mat-

ters where you finish. But, it’s better than the alternative.” So, why are the Bears expected to improve so much? They are bringing back so much talent, including four starters from a season ago. Add in senior transfers Tanveer Bhullar and J.T. Miller along with junior transfer Reggie Scurry and the team features at least nine athletes who could play big minutes on any given night. Scurry, who transferred from Northern Oklahoma Tonkawa College, stands at 6-foot-5, 213 pounds and has already impressed early on. “Reggie Scurry with that athleticism … we go at it every day,” Church said. With Church, Scurry, Johnson and Bhullar, who checks in at 7-foot-2, 278 pounds, the Bears should — must — dominate the glass on a nightly basis. There’s no reason the Bears shouldn’t finish with 10 or more rebounds per game than their opponent. “We should out-rebound everyone,” Church said. “That’s what we should do, and look to push the ball.” It’s not just a team motto, as Lusk believes Church could be one of the more dominant rebounders in the Valley on the glass. As a sophomore, he only averaged 5.8 rebounds per game. For Lusk, that number must rise. “We are challenging Church to take that next step because I think he can be a really dominant rebounder,” Lusk said. Expectations are high for the Bears from the outside, but they might be even higher within the locker room itself. But the expectation isn’t long-term just yet, it’s all about the process. “I feel like we have not been thinking about it, we have just been thinking about getting better every day,” Rhodes said. “Expectations for the season are very high, but we are just staying level-headed.” The season finally opens Friday, as the Bears hit the road to take on Western Kentucky.

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JOHNSON Continued from page 4

It’s more than just hard work, however, as his teammates have started to follow his ways — on and off the court. Johnson played 30 minutes per game in 2016, won the 2016 MVC Newcomer of the Year Award and was selected as the 2017 MVC Preseason Player of the Year. And now? NBA scouts continue to rave over his potential at the next level, as his size, athleticism, 3-point shooting and ball-handling create a rare package. On the latest NBADraft.net 2018 mock draft, experts have the Bears’ star going 24th overall to the Atlanta Hawks. “Those things are nice and all, but I am focused on this year and what we can do, which is go out there and be a great team and win the Missouri Valley, try to make an NCAA Tournament run,” Johnson said. “The preseason honors are nice and all, but we have to actually go out there and win those games.” Just two seasons ago, Johnson entered the 2015-16 season as a sophomore at Frank Phillips Junior College in Texas, where he exploded for 16.7 points and 12 rebounds per game. His play landed him on the all-regional team and he led Frank Phillips to its first regional

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I think he’s naturally the alpha dog - Paul Lusk bid since 2007. But the first time Missouri State saw Johnson came a year prior, after his freshman year in JUCO, at a top-100 camp. From the get-go, Johnson impressed Lusk. “He didn’t have any entitlement to him,” Lusk said. “He wasn’t a high-profile guy and he had to work for everything he’s gotten. Even with some of the things that have happened with him this summer, I haven’t seen a change in his work ethic. He’s even more driven.” After receiving offers from Tulsa, Towson, Stephen F. Austin and Murray State, Johnson fell in love with Missouri State on his first visit. “I did not know what Missouri State was at first, but I got on campus and I loved it,” Johnson said. “Coach Lusk was not making any promises that I would come in here and start and that’s what I wanted to hear. He told me I had to come in here and work and I would have an opportunity.” He’s done more than ever imagined with the opportunity, and the hard work is starting to pay off. Johnson played in the 2017 Adidas Nations

event in August, winning the MVP award over Missouri standout Michael Porter Jr. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows for Johnson, however, as he’s currently nursing a right knee injury sufferred before preseason. He’s sat out the preseason contests for the Bears, and caution remains the plan for Lusk and Johnson. “We are being really cautious, and we are cautious with all of our guys,” Lusk said. “But we are in no hurry. He’s doing great, no surgery required, he should be ready to go. But we are being cautious with him.” Johnson echoed the emphasis on remaining cautious, and even as NBA scouts come to JQH Arena to learn more about the Pennslyvania product, he’ll sit until ready. “From the initial injury, they said 4-6 weeks,” Lusk said in October. “And if you asked Alize, he’d probably be ready to go today, but we are going to be cautious with that.” That timeline will be put to the test on Friday, when the Bears open the 2017-18 season against Western Kentucky. Will Johnson play?

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LUSK Continued from page 4 There were Facebook pages, groups on Twitter, cursing fans and even burned jerseys when MSU Athletic Director Kyle Moats announced Lusk would return for the 2017-18 season. Moats and Missouri State University President Clif Smart spun the season as a positive, saying they believe the core players MSU has for the season should help Lusk win the Valley — especially with Wichita State leaving the conference. They’re right. The Bears return five lettermen — led by potential 2018 NBA Draft pick Johnson — from last season, including four starters in addition to seven newcomers. I think Bears fans knew it, so, after awhile, they decided to buy back in one more time, with a caveat — if the Bears don’t win the MVC Championship and make the NCAA Tournament, Lusk must go, or we will go. That philosophy was fine and dandy until Lusk landed Mr. Show-Me Basketball, the top highschool player in the state of Missouri. In Ridder, who has to sit out the 17-18 season, Lusk bought time. Why? Because Ridder is that important — seriously. At Kickapoo High School, Ridder set school records for total points with 1,628 and points in a season as he scored 745 as a senior, averaging

File Photo by MEGAN BURKE/THE STANDARD

Head coach Paul Lusk 24.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 57.5 percent from the floor. He won the Missouri Gatorade Player of The Year and the USA Today Missouri Player of the Year for 2016. The Springfield native received an offer from Missouri State but committed to Xavier. “We’re very excited to add Jared to our basketball program,” Lusk said in a press release. “This redshirt year will be positive for him as he moves forward with his career at Missouri State.” The best thing about his arrival, for Lusk, comes with the redshirt season.

On paper, there are eight or nine players that should receive good minutes on a nightly basis this season and adding Ridder to the mix would only complicate playing time further. With that said, the NCAA will allow Ridder to practice with the Bears throughout the season, giving the 6-foot-7 small forward a chance to grow into form. Consistently going toe-to-toe with Johnson, a 6-foot-9, 212 pound forward, will give Ridder incredible experience before ever stepping on the court. “I’ve been to a lot of games at Missouri State

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and always dreamed of wearing that 34 jersey,” Ridder said in a press release. “Watching Kyle Weems growing up was lots of fun. It’s going to be a dream come true to be able to play in front of all my friends and family. “Coach Lusk and his staff are one of the best coaching staffs on and off the court, and I’m looking forward to an enjoyable four years at Missouri State.” At the Missouri Valley Tip-Off event, Lusk said Ridder sent his release from Xaiver to him in late September. Frankly, that alone might be enough for Lusk to parlay into a few more years at helm, if the Bears don’t start to win. However, I don’t see that happening. I expect the Bears to win the Valley, even if it comes down to a crazy Sunday in St. Louis at Arch Madness. Keep in mind. that during his career, Lusk has done a good job with the talent he’s had. And yes, you could say the Bears have underachieved, but Lusk and his staff helped transform Miller and Johnson from junior college transfers to superstars in the MVC. So now that he has a player who ESPN.com ranked as the 23rd best small forward in the country, and has a year to groom him into a college player, Lusk and Ridder could create big things in Springfield over the next four years. And with that hope, MSU likely holds onto Lusk regardless of MSU’s record in 2017, because yes, Ridder is that important. Buckle up, it’s basketball season.

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RHODES Continued from page 4

returned to Queen City, reaching out to coaches and getting into the gym. Focusing on his defense, Rhodes’ efforts made a strong impression on MSU’s head coach Paul Lusk. “Jarrid Rhodes, I think the world of him, Lusk said. “He deserves a lot of credit with the work he’s put on the floor, but I give the staff some credit, too. “He’s been through it, and he did very good things last year, but he’s a totally different player going into this year.” After a few weeks in the gym, Rhodes noticed some differences not only in his technique but also in his demeanor. His new found confidence made him a leader. During his training in the offseason, Rhodes found himself dragging teammates along with him. Rhodes became more vocal in practices, pushing players to challenge themselves and each other. And when being vocal wasn’t enough, he led by example. “I’m growing as a person and I feel like spreading that to the team makes them successful as well,” Rhodes said. The Bears followed Rhodes’ example and began working on confidence and mental toughness themselves. Junior Ryan Kreklow shares the same mindset as Rhodes when it comes to confi-

dence; it’s a hard skill to master but the payoff is invaluable. “Mental toughness; it’s a day in and day out process,” Kreklow said. “Part of it is having a short-term memory, I mean you have to be able to move on to the next play.” Rhodes spent his entire offseason inside the gym; earlier this preseason he showed off the results of all his training. Playing an exhibition game against Kansas State, Rhodes scored 13 out of the Bears’ first 15 points. The hot start led to a 20 point game for the junior, going 5-7 from outside the arc and recording five rebounds. The source of this dominant performance? You guessed it — confidence. “I just, it’s natural now with my confidence being very high,” Rhodes said. “My teammates helped me get a lot of open looks.” Rhodes achieved his goal of making an impact in games, but his eyes are on improving throughout the season, as well. Averaging 8.6 points per game last season, Rhodes is already on track this season to take a giant leap in production. Rhodes isn’t the only one buying into his confidence; his team praises his new mentality. “Right now I would probably like Jarrid Rhodes to take the last shot … Jarrid, he’s pretty good,” senior Alize Johnson said.

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Junior Jarred Dixon uses a screen against Kansas State on Oct. 21.

Dixon Continued from page 4

brother Michael played before him. Two years later, Jarred had to fill his shoes. Jarred, who has played as a shooting guard the majority of his Missouri State career, got a taste of his big brother’s position, point guard, when Bears’ starting point guard Ronnie Rousseau III left school in January. “I can still play it, but I’ve really been in my natural position off the ball,” Dixon said during the preseason. “It makes us more dangerous though because if Ronnie goes out I can take the point because I’m used to it now and I have experience at that position.” The experience came with accomplishments, as Dixon was one of the best off the bench earning MVC All-Bench team. During his career, the junior guard has seen improvement in every season. As a freshman, Dixon was named to the All-MVC Freshman team. Last season, off the bench as a sophomore, Dixon averaged 11.7 points per game. “I think Jarred Dixon, a year ago after Ronnie left the team, we moved JD (Jarred Dixon) in that point guard spot,” Lusk said. “I think it really helped him grow as a player, so we think we can move him around.” This season, Dixon says the time at point guard helped him become a more complete player and is a replica of the 2017-18 Bears. With additions of guard J.T. Miller and Rousseau back, Dixon will get a fair share of time in all positions in the backcourt. “We have a lot of positionless players, a lot of guys can play a lot of positions, we are more versatile,” Dixon said. “Like you said, I can

play the point guard and we have guys that can play the four, the five and the three like that.” The improvement was seen the most at the end of last year during the Bears run in the Missouri Valley Conference championship. Dixon scored a team high 20 points in the final against Wichita State battling Landry Shamet, one of the top guards in the county. Dixon finished his high school career with offers to Tulsa, S.F Austin, UNC Greensboro, North Dakota and Northern Arizona. Dixon also played AAU ball on KC Run GMC with guard Ryan Kreklow, a backcourt tandem that is still intact. “Me, J.D. and Obe are now older guys and we just have a lot more leadership overall with us five being a big part of this team and experience,” Kreklow said. “Just making sure everyone is in control and on the same page has been a big part of what me and J.D. have been working on.” The addition of size will allow Bears guards to be more comfortable taking chances and making plays in transition. “It makes it easier for us to get out and put pressure on other teams’ guards,” Kreklow said. The first look at the Bears in an exhibition game against Southwest Baptist was highlighted by Dixon’s ability to pressure the ball and get easy points. Dixon finished with 12 points and a few big dunks in transition. “It should be a fun year, I mean the expectations have gotten bigger since I’ve been here, this is my third year here and I think we are just taking it every wday one at a time,” Dixon said. “We have all the pieces.”

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Player previews

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Sophomore Abdul Fofana surveys his options against Kansas State.

#0 Abdul Fofana Abdul Fofana, a sophomore transfer from Dakota College, hails from Burkina Faso and has only lived in the United States since entering college in 2015. Fofana starred as a freshman for the NJCAA Division II program, averaging 15.4 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. Standing at 6-foot-7, 207 pounds, he will draw a lot of comparisons to all-world

#1 Mustafa Lawrence Mustafa Lawrence is a shade under 6-foot tall, weighs less than 190 pounds and is a freshman, yet you would never know it when watching him play. Lawrence, who could see very limited action for the Bears in 2017-18, represents a spark plug, offensive microwave for the Bears. As a senior in high school, the

#2 Reggie Scurry

Reggie Scurry can flat out get after it. That’s what the 6-foot-5, 213 pound junior will bring to the Bears in 2017. Scurry averaged 15.7 points and 10.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore at Northern Oklahoma Tonkawa College before transferring to Missouri State. At the moment, with senior forward Alize Johnson nursing a knee injury, head

power forward Alize Johnson. His play will create some comparisons, too, as Fofana shot 56.6 percent from the field as a freshman and recorded 21 double-doubles, a school record. Against Kansas State, Fofana elevated above the rim for an attempted dunk over two Wildcat defenders. Expect plenty of those dunk attempts and successful posters in the future.

New Jersey native averaged 28.9 points and 5.1 assists per game. The scoring didn’t stop there. In 2016, at prep school, Lawrence scored 16.2 points per game and added in 5.7 assists and 4.2 steals. One thing is certain: the freshman is going to get his shots up. Against Kansas State, Lawrence scored five points on eight shots in just eight minutes of play. coach Paul Lusk has inserted Scurry into the starting lineup. While that won’t last, Scurry will come off the bench first or second for the bulk of season — especially if he’s able to raise his field goal percentage. Scurry has shown his ability to get any shot he wants to in the paint, which will be huge for the Bears’ second unit.

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#5 Obediah Church

Obediah Church has improved every season as a Bear, and entering his junior season, many expect Church to take another massive jump in terms of productivity. His play in 2016-17 earned him a spot on MVC All-Defensive Team, as he led the league with 74 blocks.

#14 Ronnie Rousseau

Ronnie Rousseau III came to the Bears in 2016-17 from State Fair Community College and impressed during his first 15 contests, leading the Bears to a 11-4 record. Then, he left the team for personal reasons and did not return for the remainder of the season. Now, as a senior, he’s back. And Rousseau represents the only true, ex-

#20 Ryan Kreklow

The jump Ryan Kreklow made from his freshman season to his sophomore season in 2016 boded well for the Bears, as the sharpshooter raised his 3-point field goal percentage from 34 to 41 percent. And in five less minutes per game as a sophomore, Kreklow made more field goals, more 3-pointers and averaged the same amount of points. His role on the 201718 Bears remains unclear, as he started during

THE STANDARD But during his two seasons, his production in points and rebounds have hovered at six per game. If the Bears are going to win the Valley this season, Church must improve in both facets of his game. And he should, as the surrounding cast around him gives Church the luxury of alley-oops and easy rebounds. If he can shoot above 60 percent from the field, he could average a double-double. perienced point guard the Bears have on the roster. His ability to pace the offense, find key players in good position and take care of the ball will push the offense all year long. Expect Rousseau to come off the bench but serve as the sixth man, spark plug off the bench. Additionnally, he should find himself in the lategame situations.

the first two preseason games. However, Kreklow’s best role could come off the bench. His ability to knock down an open 3-pointer, get his own shot and play solid defense are perfect for the second unit. Also, he shot 87 percent from the free throw line during his sophomore season. That’s needed in close games and for a team who struggles at the line.

#21 Ross Owens

honors after drilling 44 percent of his 3-pointers. Ross Owens joined Missouri State as a preFor the Bears as a freshman, he appeared in ferred walk-on for the 2016-17 season after a few different games, recording two rebounds averaging 16 points per game as a senior in high against Wichita State. He was named to the 2017 school. Owens earned AP All-State first-team MVC Honor Roll.

#23 J.T. Miller J.T. Miller scored 14.7 points per game and started in 24 contests for Howard University in 2016-17 and transferred to the Bears following his senior season. Miller scored 30 points, making 10 of his 18 shots against Georgetown as a senior. He brings reliabilty

#25 Darian Scott

Darian Scott is one of the few true centers in college basketball and although he will likely see a redshirt freshman season, has an extremlely bright future. Standing at 6-foot11, 200 pounds, Scott must add weight to make an impact down the road, but his length

#34 Tanveer Bhullar

Tanveer Bhullar is likely the biggest man on campus, as he stands 7-foot-2, 278 pounds big. His size gives him the ability to do things others on the basketball court just can’t. For example, Bhullar can come up with five to seven rebounds per game just by positioning

and experience to a Bears team that desperately needs it. He also represents a scoring option off the bench with a quality mix of athleticism and 3-point shooting. He hit 25 threes for Howard as a senior, and against Southwest Baptist in the Bears’ exhibition game, Miller threw down an emphatic dunk. will serve as a protector of the rim whenever he is on the floor. As a senior in high school, he was ranked as the No. 7 player in the state of Nevada, according to ESPN.com. He averaged 7.2 and 5.3 rebounds per game and helped lead his school to a 23-5 record. himself well. He also serves as a rim protector without ever having to leave his feet. Bhullar came to the Bears after four seasons at New Mexico State University, where he played in the NCAA Tournament as a redshirt junior. He played in 22 games and converted 52.2 percent of his field goal attempts.

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Top five must see Bears games in 2017-18 BLAINE WHEELER Staff Reporter

@ Western Kentucky — Nov. 10, 7 p.m.

Yes, the first game of the year is one of the biggest games of the year. It will show a lot for this Bears team traveling to an expected big atmosphere on opening night. The Hilltoppers’ history is known with 22 NCAA Tournament appearances, advancing

vs. Colorado State — Nov. 28. 7 p.m.

This game is a part of the Missouri Valley vs. Mountain West challenge. The Rams pushed in the postseason last year, falling just one game away from the NCAA Tournament. The Rams won’t return their two best

to the sweet sixteen seven times. Last year, the Hilltoppers struggled and only return a senior walk-on from the team’s roster. The Hilltoppers’ danger comes from four transfers from Kansas, Virginia, Buffalo and Austin Peay and freshman talent. “Going on the road to Western Kentucky will be much different than anything we have experienced,” head coach Paul Lusk said on the game in late October after the Bears’ Maroon and White scrimmage. players from that team but return two junior athletic guards. Three transfers became eligible after playing but sitting out the second half of the season last spring which will add depth. The Rams added NJCAA Division II Player of the Year Deion James, Robbie Berwick, a transfer from Florida State and Lorenzo Jenkins from Arkansas. The Rams are picked to finish fifth in the Mountain West.

vs. Loyola — Dec. 22, 8 p.m. After playing a weak three game non-conference stretch, the Bears will open conference play against Loyola.This game is in a tough spot for the Bears but as the first conference game in JQH Arena, it should be a fun battle.

@ Illinois State — Jan. 7, TBD Three of the Bears first four Valley games are against the projected best teams in the conference. The last game of the tough stretch is a road trip to Illinois State. Last season, the Redbirds were nearly unstoppable in the Valley regular season, finishing

@ Nothern Iowa — Feb. 24, 3 p.m. The Panthers and Bears split two regular season conference games last season, but the Bears took the third matchup in the opening round of the Valley Tournament. The Panthers lost one of the MVC’s best — guard Jeremy Morgan — but return a few

THE-STANDARD.ORG Last season the Ramblers finished 8-10 in the Missouri Valley and lost in the first round of the conference tournament. So it’s odd for them to be on this list, right? Wrong. They’ve had an offseason similar to the Bears. The Ramblers lost one of the top five players in the MVC last season, guard Milton Doyle. Aside from Doyle, they return six of the other top scorers from last season.

17-1 in conference play. Three All-Missouri Valley Conference players highlighted their roster but are all gone this season along with two other top players. Coach Dan Muller was prepared and the Redbirds reloaded his roster with six new players. Highlighting their newcomers is former A10 Freshman of the Year Malik Yarbrough. The Redbirds were selected to finish fourth in the preseason polls.

starters from last season. Seniors Bennett Koch and Klint Carlson return along with talented sophomore guard Juwan McCloud. The Northern Iowa program always seems to be in contention and year in and year out is always a game to circle. The Panthers are known to play a fundamental game behind head coach Ben Jacobson in his 12th year.

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A look back at 2016-17

The 2016-17 basketball season resulted with questions about the future of the Missouri State program. Finishing 17-16 and sixth in the Missouri Valley, the Bears developed one of the conferences best — Alize Johnson. On the season, the forward averaged 14.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. The season also saw the loss of Bears point guard Ronnie Rousseau III mid-season. Rousseau only played 14 games but averaged 11.6 points per game and was a large portion of the Bears offense. It was a rollercoaster ride that gave Bears fans a reason to be angry at seasons end. Before the season, the Bears were projected to finish fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Bears battled in nearly every game they played against teams not named Wichita State. A few non-conference losses to start the season on the road at Depaul, Air Force and No. 23 USC. A few weeks after, the Bears lost in heartMEGAN BURKE/THE STANDARD breaking fashion on a last second shot to Valpara- Senior guard Ronnie Rousseau III advances past a defender. iso. Things were more of the same and falling hole. Rousseau backcourt was gone and the Bears lost apart. In January, the Bears finished 4-5, losing three one of their best players. Illinois State and Wichita State were running of the five in overtime. In the thick of conference play the Bears reaway as front runners of the MVC. bounded, beating Loyola Chicago by one at home. It got worse. A win and two overtime losses later to lesser The Bears lost starting guard Rousseau to After the win, the Bears season went from OK Drake, the Bears found themselves in a deeper personal matters. The Dequon Miller, Ronnie to bad, losing six of their last seven games to end

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the regular season, all against Missouri Valley opponents. It was an obvious evaluation at the time that Lusk sat on the hot seat. The Bears had solidified themselves as a dangerous team loaded with athletes. Johnson had grabbed the Missouri Valley by the horns. Guard Jarred Dixon filled the role lost from Rousseau and looked to the postseason. The Bears opened the MVC Tournament as the No. 6 seed playing N0. 3 Northern Iowa. The Bears won 70-64 in impressive fashion. Next was a quarterfinal boxing match against nationally ranked rival, Wichita State. The Shockers lead 37-34 at halftime, and the Bears were playing with one of the top teams in the country. “I thought we came out and we were excellent,” Lusk said after the game. “Obviously if you punch them, then you’re going to get punched back.” The Bears lost 78-63, ending their season. The game showed the potential the roster at the time had, giving hope for the Bears and a deciding factor in bringing back Lusk for a seventh season. A few hours after the game, in a postseason press conference, Athletic Director Kyle Moats and University President Clif Smart announced Lusk would return as head coach for the 2017-18 season. With Lusk and Johnson returning to lead the Bears, the only question is: How successful can this team be?

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Around the Valley L

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BRENNER MOORE Staff Reporter @Brennerm2

oyola University is one of the few teams in the Valley that could knock down the Bears. Last season the Bears went 1-1 against the Ramblers. Senior Donte Ingram is coming off an explosive junior year, named Third Team All-MVC and received a MVC Most Improved Team recognition. Boasting 13.6 points per game and leading the Ramblers in rebounds with 6.8 per game, Ingram will be the player to beat. Joining Ingram is fellow senior Ben Richardson, who recorded his best season in 2016-17. A threat at the arc, Richardson finished seventh in the Valley in three-point field goal percentage. Defensively, Richardson is also a threat, finishing eighth in steals. These senior leaders combined with some young talent make the Ramblers a big threat this season. Valparaiso University, the Valley newcomer, is another tough matchup for the Bears. Currently, MSU is 0-4 against Valpo. The Crusaders also had a slightly better year on paper last season. Valpo averaged 74.7 points per game and a .444 shooting percentage last season compared to the Bears 72.8 points per game and .442 shooting percentage. On the flipside, the Crusaders only have two seniors and two juniors returning, so this season’s team is fairly young. The Bears roster couldn’t be more different, comprised of mainly veteran leadership. Valpo has potential to make waves in the Valley, but it will come down to the ability of the young team with little veteran leadership. University of Northern Iowa is the sleeping giant in the conference. A lackluster MVC record of 9-9 last season portrays the Panthers in a deceiving light. Senior Ted Friedman excels in offensive rebounds, racking up 19 last season. Combined with senior Bennett Koch, who ranked third in field goal percentage in the Valley last season, UNI will be the team to beat around the rim. Adding to the versatility of the team, senior Hunter Rhodes put up 17 three-pointers last season, along with shooting 87.6 percent from the freethrow line. Rhodes played in 21 games last season, but was never a starter. One of Rhodes’ more notable games off the bench happened last season against the Bears in the MVC tournament. Putting up eight points and four assists, Rhodes showed off his ability to get thrown into game and produce quickly. Sophomore Justin Dahl didn’t see much time

FILE PHOTO by MEGAN BURKE/THE STANDARD

Current junior Obediah Church shoots a free throw against Drake in 2016. last season, but the 7-foot center adds another threat in the paint. Recording five rebounds in an exhibition game, Dahl has potential to wreak havoc around the rim. The Panthers returned a strong core this season that made strong improvements last season. This season, UNI looks to build on those improvements and play better in the Valley. Illinois State University lost five players after last season and recently lost junior David Ndiaye for six weeks due to a stress fracture. Losing Ndiaye delivered a huge blow to the Redbird defense as he recorded 1.6 blocks and 3.8 rebounds per game last season. Senior leadership for ISU is almost nonexistent. The only senior being Jerron Martin, a transfer from Texas Southern. While Martin traveled to the NCAA tournament with the Tigers, his leadership role might be downplayed as he begins this season at square one with the Redbirds. Junior Keyshawn Evans is a player to watch this season. Earning the team’s Most Improved Player award last season, Evans shows no signs of stopping. Averaging 5.8 points per game, scoring a career high of 16 points against Drake, Evans will continue to produce consistent results. As a sophomore, Phil Fayne averaged 9.1 points per game while also landing in the second place slot for field goal percentage in the Valley.

Preseason Poll 1. Missouri State 2. UNI 3. Loyola 4. Illinois State 5. Southern Illinois 6. Valparaiso 7. Bradley 8. Indiana State 9. Evansville 10. Drake

During the same season, Fayne received the Missouri Valley Conference All-Newcomer Team recognition. Although the Redbirds have some holes in their roster, their coaching staff is top notch. Head coach Dan Mueller led the Redbirds to a Valley Championship win last season. Before that, the Redbirds put up one mediocre season after another in the Valley. If anyone can take

this team and turn them into a contender, it’s Mueller. Southern Illinois University rounds out the top five teams behind the Bears in MVC preseason standings. Senior Thik Bol leads the defensive effort for the Salukis, racking up 76 blocks the 2016-2017 season. Finishing second to the Bears’ Obediah Church in blocks per game, Bol averaged 2.3. Bol, also a threat at the goal, lead SIU with 2.42 offensive rebounds per game. Rounding out the season with four double-doubles, Bol finished with a .533 field goal percentage. Junior Sean Lloyd Jr. adds density to the offense, finishing last season with a strong .404 three-point shooting percentage. Consistently putting up strong numbers, Lloyd scored double digits in 12 games. Landing on the 2016-2017 MVC Most-Improved Team, junior Armon Fletcher averaged 11.1 points per game, while also sinking 47 three-pointers. A strong free-throw shooter, Fletcher made 75 percent of all attempts with a streak of 17-straight. These three are the heart of the Saluki roster. The rest of SIU’s roster has seen little game time compared to the main three. Figuring out how to get more out of a stagnant lineup is the biggest hurdle the Salukis face this season.

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Around the Valley

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MEGAN BURKE Senior Reporter @Megs96_ Drake women’s basketball team won the 2016-2017 Missouri Valley Championship. The Drake Bulldogs finished last season 28-5 with a 18-game win streak. It topped the charts for assists, steals, rebounding defense and scoring margin in the conference. They lost two prominent seniors, Caitlin Ingle, the 2017 All-Tournament MVP, and Lizzy Wendell, who made the 2017 All-Tournament team. Wendell led the conference in scoring with 20.9 average points per game. Junior guard Sammie Bachrodt, made the 2016-17 MVC All-Defensive Team and got All-MVC honorable mention. Bachrodt also made the 201718 preseason All-Conference Team. Sophomore guard Becca Hittner was Freshman of the Year for the 2016-17 season and made All-MVC First Team, All-Freshman Team and MVC Newcomer of the Week six times. Hittner made the 2017-18 preseason All-Conference Team. Before its 2016-17 season championship, Drake tied for second in 2015-16 and made second in 2014-15. In Drake’s program history, it has won six season and tournament Conference Championships and made 11 NCAA tournament appearances. Jennie Baranczyk coaches Drake for the sixth season. Drake beat Missouri State University twice in the 2016-17 season, 64-90 and 91-90. Drake is ranked first in the 2018 preseason poll with 31 first place votes. UNI women’s basketball team placed 2016-17 season and second in the 2017 MVC Tournament after falling to Drake in the championship. The UNI Panthers went 24-9 last season and topped the charts for scoring defense and turnover margin. Senior guard Madison Weekly had the highest free-throw percentage in the Valley with .886 and ranked No. 4 in the MVC for scoring percentage with 14.7 average points per game. She also topped the assist/ turnover ratio and became the fourth player in UNI history to score over 1,700 career points. Senior guard Ellie Howell was picked on the MVC All-Preseason Team for 2017-2018. Last season, she earned first-team All-MVC. In UNI’s program history, it has won two conference tournaments and season championships. It has also made three NCAA tournament appearances. Tanya Warren coaches UNI for the 11th season.

File photo by Collin O’Connell/THE STANDARD

The Lady Bears will attempt to revenge their quarterfinal loss to Evansville this season. In the 2016-17 season, Warren made history by becoming the all-time UNI wins leader reaching her 184th career win in the game against Missouri State University. 1. Drake UNI defeated MSU 54-61 and 64-65 in the 2016-17 season. UNI is ranked third in 2. Missouri State the 2018 preseason poll with two first place 3. UNI votes. SIU women’s basketball team placed 4. Southern Illinois fourth in the 2016-17 conference season. 5. Indiana State The SIU Salukis went 16-15 overall, and 10-8 in the conference. Senior Rishonda 6. Bradley Napier ranked sixth in scoring and made the 7. Illinois State first-team All-MVC three times. Junior forward Kylie Giebelhausen 8. Evansville ranked fifth in scoring and first in most minutes played. She made the First Team All- 9. Valparaiso MVC for 2016-17. Now a senior, Giebel10. Loyola hausen is picked for the Preseason All-Conference Team. In SIU’s program history, it has won two conference tournament championships and ances. SIU is coached by Cindy Stein for the fifth season. four conference season championships. They had four NCAA tournament appearSIU lost to Missouri State University

Preseason Poll

twice in the 2016-17 season, 60-78 and 5973. SIU is ranked fourth in the 2018 preseason poll. Indiana State women’s basketball placed eighth in the 2016-2017 season with 12-18 overall and 6-12 in the conference. The Sycamores ranked No. 2 in scoring defense. Indiana State only lost one senior from since the 2017 season. There are now three seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and two freshmen on the team going into the 2017-2018 season. In Indiana State’s history, it has won three conference season championships. Joe Wells coaches ISU for the the fourth season. Indiana State lost to Missouri State University 46-49 and 63-73 in the 2016-17 season. Despite finishing eighth a season ago, there’s reason for optimism with a good amount of scoring returning to the Sycamores. Indiana State is picked fifth in the 2018 preseason poll.

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THE STANDARD

Team Predictions Alec McChesney

The Standard sports staff predicts the following for each team: 1. Final Record 2. MVP 3. Most Improved Player 4. Finish in the Valley

Brenner Moore

Men’s basketball Lady Bears

Men’s basketball

Lady Bears

1. 27-4 2. Alize Johnson 3. Jarrid Rhodes 4. First

1. 19-10 2. Liza Fruendt 3. Brice Calip 4. First

1. 29-2 2. Alize Johnson 3. Jarrid Rhodes 4. First

Men’s basketball

Lady Bears

Men’s basketball

Lady Bears

1. 26-5 2. Alize Johnson 3. Ryan Kreklow 4. First

1. 22-7 2. Liza Fruendt 3. Bri Ellis 4. First

1. 28-3 2. Alize Johnson 3. Jarrid Rhodes 4. First

1. 21-8 2. Liza Fruendt 3. Alexa Willard 4. First

Cortlynn Stark

Blaine Wheeler

1. 23-6 2. Audrey Holt 3. Alexa Willard 4. First

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Lady Bears MVC schedule Fri, Dec 29 @ Indiana State 7:00 PM ET Sun, Dec 31 @ Evansville 2:00 PM ET Fri, Jan 5 vs Drake 8:00 PM ET Sun, Jan 7 vs Northern Iowa 3:00 PM ET Fri, Jan 12 @Illinois State 8:00 PM ET Sun, Jan 14 @Bradley 3:00 PM ET

Fri, Jan 19 vs Valparaiso 8:00 PM ET Sun, Jan 21 vs Loyola-Chicago 3:00 PM ET Fri, Jan 26 @ Southern Illinois 7:00 PM ET Fri, Feb 2 @ Northern Iowa 8:00 PM ET Sun, Feb 4 @ Drake 3:00 PM ET Fri, Feb 9 vs Bradley 8:00 PM ET

Sun, Feb 11 vs Illinois State 3:00 PM ET Fri, Feb 16 @ Loyola-Chicago 8:00 PM ET Sun, Feb 18 @ Valparaiso 4:00 PM ET Fri, Feb 23 vs Southern Illinois 8:00 PM ET Thu, Mar 1 vs Evansville 8:00 PM ET Sat, Mar 3 vs Indiana State 3:00 PM ET

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#12 Sydney Schultz

bounds and blocked shots. An All Conference pick all four years, Schultz earned All-State Sydney Schultz led her high school to the honors her final two years. Senior year Schultz averaged 1 points, 10 first two conference championships in school rebounds, four assists and two blocks per game. history. She also holds school records in career re-

#13 Audrey Holt Audrey Holt is one half of the two-headed defensive monster for the Bears. In the 20162017 season, Holt recorded 25 blocks, the second most on the team. Along with blocks, Holt fought hard at the rim, hauling in 57 offensive

rebounds last season. Mainly a defensive player, Holt still managed to impact the Bears offense. Averaging 4.9 points per game, reaching a season high of 13 points against Wichita State University. Holt’s defensive strengths really shined in turnovers, nabbing 35 steals last season.

#21 Aubrey Buckley

Buckley scored double digits 15 times last season, two of which resulted in double-doubles. Another strong free-throw shooter, Buckley finished 70 percent of her attempts. The final talking point is Buckley’s turnover ability. Picking off opposing players 31 times last season, Buckley solidified herself as a main staple in the Bears’ defense.

#22 Alexa Willard

including a streak of eight in a row from Dec. 19-Jan. 2, the longest streak by any Bears’ freshman since Casey Garrison. Rounding out her freshman season with a .419 shooting percentage and shot 81 percent from the foul line. Willard expects to take another jump in the right direction as a more experienced sophomore.

The second half of the defensive duo, senior Aubrey Buckley had her best season to date during the 2016-2017 season. Leading the team in rebounds per game (5.2), Buckley also saw success from the field, sinking 46 percent of her shots.

Alexa Willard started all 31 games as a freshman for the Lady Bears in the 2016-2017 season. The MVC All-Freshman selection averaged eight points and 3.7 rebounds the same season. Willard scored double digits in 11 games,

#30 Shameka Ealy

Shameka Ealy started her Bears career with a bang, leading the team in blocks, 26, while also recording a .310 shooting percentage. On top of being a defensive threat, Ealy is a force to be reckoned with around the rim. In eight games Ealy recorded at least five re-

bounds, with a season high of eight against Oral Roberts. During her freshman year, Ealy recorded 15 3-pointers, recording multiple threes in four games. The sophomore nearly averaged a triple-double her senior year of high school.

#34 Bri Ellis

four years and started at shooting guard her junior and senior years. Bri Ellis is a redshirt freshman transfer from Her senior year Ellis averaged 10.6 points Missouri State-West Plains where she didn’t per game and achieved All-District honors while play basketball. leading the team in three point percentage. Part of a three time state championship team at Rock Bridge high school, Ellis lettered all

#50 Emily Gartner

Redshirt freshman Emily Gartner holds the title of all-time leading scorer and rebounder at Hiawatha High, achieving those honors her junior, also crossing the 1,000-point mark in the same season. A second-team All-State pick her senior

year, Gartner averaged 21.7 points per game with 70 percent shooting. The dominance doesn’t stop there, using her height advantage Gartner also averaged 13 rebounds and seven blocks per game. Being a true athlete, Gartner also took first in state discus her junior year.

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THE STANDARD

Meet your 2017-18 Lady Bears Player profiles compiled by BRENNER MOORE and photo by COLLIN O’CONNELL Junior guard Danielle Gitzen shoots.

#1 Danielle Gitzen

Gitzen matched her offensive domination with strong defensive prowess. She led the Bears in steals, recording 38 last season. She complemented her ability to create turnovers with strong rebounds, averaging 4.4 per game. Rounding out her arsenal, Gitzen threatens teams at the free-throw line. Settling in comfortably at fifth in the Valley, she sank 76.5 percent of her free-throws.

#2 Elle Ruffridge

her four years at Pocahontas Area High. Also in those four years, Ruffridge secured two backto-back state titles. On top of that, Ruffridge set state records in career points (2,951), assists (802) and 3-pointers (466).

During the 2016-2017 season, junior Danielle Gitzen proved herself to be a key player in the Lady Bears lineup. Coming off the bench in all 15 Missouri Valley Conference games, Gitzen still managed to rank second in league shooting percentage (.529) while averaging 9.4 points per game.

Elle Ruffridge has a disadvantage when it comes to size, but more than makes up for it in shooting ability. As a high schooler, the Iowa native led her team to a 100-7 record across

#3 Lee Ann Polowy Senior Lee Ann Polowy is the threat from behind the three-point line for the Bears. Coming off the bench for all 31 one games, Polowy connected on 24 three-pointers in the 2016-2017 season. Polowy is reserved exclusively for tight

#4 Abby Hipp Abby Hipp is the definition of a team player. Making a tangible difference in her high school team’s record all four years, Hipp averaged 14.6 points, 62 percent shooting, 12 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.

#11 Brice Calip Brice Calip appeared in seven non conference games before suffering an injury that cut her season short. In high school Calip averaged 16.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists her senior year.

games. Only called upon when absolutely needed, she produces big numbers in clutch situations. Polowy also boasts strong ball control, recording multiple games with one or no turnovers. A smart passer, Polowy racked up 27 assists while also forcing turnovers on defense, finishing with 13 on the season.

Her senior year, Hipp led her team to a runner-up finish in the state championship the school’s first year in a class 4 district. She rounded out her senior year receiving the DiRenna Award, the award for the top basketball players in the Kansas City area.

She also earned First-Team All-Conference and first-team academic all-conference her final three seasons. Calip played seven games before being sidelined last season. Totalling 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting, she also walked away with four rebounds and three assists.

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File photo by COLLIN O’CONNELL/THE STANDARD

The Lady Bears will seek revenge when they face Evansville on Dec. 31. game last season. Junior guard Sammie Bachrodt is another player the Lady Bears will have to watch out for, averaging 10.3 points each game last season and ranking second in the MVC for her 40.8 percent 3-point shooting percentage. In the past 10 years, the Lady Bears beat Drake 16 times and lost 15 times. If the Bears are going to win the regular season Missouri Valley Conference Championship, as head coach Kellie Harper intends to do, the two contests against Drake are the biggest obstacles in their way.

Wichita State

The Lady Bears take on Wichita State on Nov. 29 in Kansas and on Dec. 7 in Springfield at 7 p.m. Missouri State beat Wichita State twice last year, with 73-62 and 65-60 wins. Hughes led the Lady Bears last year with 22 points in the second game against Wichita State, so someone like Fruendt, who scored 15 points last year, or Willard, with eight, will have to make up some ground. The Shockers are bringing in just three freshmen but have eight seniors with a plethThe Lady Bears will seek revenge on the ora of experience to lead the team. Evansville Purple Aces on Dec. 31 in Indiana and on March 1 at 7 p.m. in Springfield at JQH Arena. Last season, the Lady Bears toppled The Lady Bears take on Mizzou, ranked Evansville twice, before losing to the Purple No. 16 in the AP Top 25 and the USA Today Aces in the quarterfinals of the MVC Tour- Coaches Poll, on Nov. 19 at home. nament. In each game before the tournament, The Tigers will present a real challenge the Lady Bears won by about 30 points. In to the Lady Bears, as the Tigers are the only the quarterfinal, howver, Fruendt led the Lady nationally ranked team the Lady Bears will Bears with 26 points, but No. 6 ranked take on. Evansville still took down the No. 3 ranked Last year, Missouri State lost to Mizzou 73-49, shutting the Lady Bears down offenLady Bears. Harper has said several times during the sively and dominating defensively, despite preseason that the way the 2016-17 ended so Fruendt’s 22 points. abruptly was a sheer disappointment. The Tigers brought in five freshmen this The Purple Aces only have one senior, season and are returning three seniors. But, 5-foot-6 guard Brooke Dossett, who started 6-foot-3 senior forward Bri Porter won’t be each game last year and averaged 9.3 points. playing, due to a knee injury. Evansville also brought in 6-foot-3 junior The other two seniors, forward Jordan center Kelsi Scott from a junior college, who Frericks and forward Kayla Michael, both averaged 9.2 points per game. redshirted last year.

Evansville

Mizzou

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File photo by MEGAN BURKE/THE STANDARD

Senior guard Liza Fruendt prepares to make her move.

Can’t miss games for the Lady Bears CORTLYNN STARK News Editor @Cortylnn_Stark Wondering how the Lady Bears will perform this season? Here’s a look at their top five upcoming games.

Bradley

The Lady Bears take on Bradley, currently ranked sixth in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, on Jan. 12 in Illinois and on Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. in Springfield. Last season, Bradley snapped the Lady Bears’ win streak twice. In the past 10 years, the Lady Bears grabbed 14 wins against Bradley, with nine losses. Last year, Missouri State’s junior guard Liza Fruendt, now a senior, hit a 3-pointer in the Jan. 22 game against Bradley that sent the game into overtime but the Lady Bears fell by a two-point deficit. The Lady Bears then went on a 5-game win streak until they fell to Bradley a second time by six points. They’ll have to watch out for Bradley’s

6-foot Anneke Schlueter, of Germany, who’s started 62 games in a row for Bradley and averaged 10.5 points each game and also knocks down 3-pointers. Bradley only lost one senior from last season, but has four senior guards this season, along with five freshmen.

Drake

The Lady Bears take on Drake, currently ranked first in the MVC preseason poll, on Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. in Springfield and on Feb. 4 in Iowa. Last season, Fruendt dropped 46 points in a 98-91 loss to Drake. When they played Drake earlier in the season, the Lady Bears lost 90-64. It was one of the few games where Fruendt didn’t lead the Lady Bears in points — senior guard, now graduated, Lexi Hughes and then-freshman Shameka Ealy did instead, with 16 points a piece. This year, Drake has one senior, guard Paige Greiner, who averaged 2.8 points each

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Liza Fruendt: Sixth man to superstar ALEC McCHESNEY Sports Editor @Alec_McChesney When Liza Fruendt was a senior at Batavia (Chicago) High School, she averaged 24.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 4.1 steals per game. Her senior season capped off a video-game like career, as she scored a school record 1,921 career points. Then, she became a freshman all over again at Missouri State University. This time, however, she was in unfamiliar territory. “I struggled with (coming off the bench) for a while,” Fruendt said. “I will be completely honest because you, coming out of high school and wanting to step out on the floor and go start, because when people look at it, it’s the five starters. “They don’t care about the people on the bench. And I struggled with that.” Despite struggling with her role, Fruendt’s productivity never wavered. She averaged 10.4 points per game and wound up on the MVC All-Freshman team, despite coming off the bench and averaging 19.2 minutes per game all season. Just when it appeared Fruendt had cracked the starting lineup, she ended up serving the sixth man role for the Lady Bears in 2015-16. She started in six games but still averaged just 20 minutes per game. Again, the productivity remained the same. She averaged 11 points per game to become just the ninth player in Missouri State history to average double figures as a freshman and a sophomore. Fruendt, while coming off the bench, helped lead the Lady Bears to the NCAA Tournament her sophomore season. Against Northern Iowa in the MVC Championship, Fruendt paced the Lady Bears with 16 points. “A championship team needs a great sixth man,” Fruendt said. “There’s no way around that. I think that the people on the bench are just as important, and once you get over the public image of it, it’s easier.” Fruendt’s public image and popularity on campus changed drastically from her sophomore season to junior year, as she became the unquestioned leader of the team. The Chicago product averaged 16.7 points per game, leading the Lady Bears in points in 21 games and winding up on the MVC All-Conference Team. Her play made her the no-brainer choice for the 2017 MVC Preseason Player of the Year.

But, her head coach thinks she’s going to be even better. “I think Liza is a better player now this time than she was last year,” Kellie Harper said. “She is a better rebounder now and she is doing better defensively, and I think this preseason and in the summer, she has done a better job with her shot selection and not taking a lot of tough shots — she is so capable of that — but I just think she has a better feel for what we are doing and has a lot of confidence when she steps on the court.” Uh-oh. A player who scored 46 points on 17 made field goals is much better than she was back then? That’s not good for the rest of the Valley. But for Fruendt in 2017, it’s more than on-the-court-play. A sixth-man for the bulk of her career, Fruendt is stepping into the limelight of college basketball and doing so as a leader for the Lady Bears. “There was a lot of things in the offseason I tried to focus on, but mainly, it was being the senior leader that we need and being that center of it and stepping up for everyone else, while knowing that everyone has my back,” Fruendt said.

BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2017 • W7

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A Lady Bears recap: games, players, coaches

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CORTLYNN STARK News Editor @Cortlynn_Stark

Disappointing. That’s how the Lady Bears’ season ended. They lost to Evansville in the Missouri Valley Conference quarterfinals. Each player, each coach felt it. “I think it was just more sheer disappointment,” head coach Kellie Harper said. “I think everyone from the coaching staff all the way down to the players, I think everyone was just disappointed. Felt like more could be done, they, we, don’t want to feel like that again and that’s a big motivation from us.” Though they lost in the MVC quarterfinals, the Lady Bears still earned a ticket to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament, where they lost to the University of Iowa. The Lady Bears ended the season on a fourgame losing streak but went 16-15 overall. They outscored their opponents 2,016 to 1,984. Junior guard Liza Fruendt led the team last year, scoring 518 points – a quarter of the team’s points – averaging 16.7 points per game and snagging 155 rebounds. Almost every game, Fruendt was the foundation of the team. When the Lady Bears lost 98-91 to Drake in March, Fruendt scored 46 points, joining a group of five Lady Bears alumni — including assistant coach Jackie Stiles — to score 40 or JESSICA HODGE/THE STANDARD more points in one game. In that same game, Fruendt sank 17 baskets, Senior guard Liza Fruendt squares up her defender.

tying her for third-most in MSU’s history. She scored consistently and brought energy to each game. Alongside her was senior guard Lexi Hughes, who, while averaging four fewer minutes and six fewer points each game, shot 35.6 percent from beyond the arc. Junior guard Aubrey Buckley averaged 9.2 points per game and brought in 160 rebounds – the most boards on the team. As a team, the Lady Bears turned the ball over 495 times, to their opponents’ 470. “We felt like what we needed to work on from last year was our offensive efficiency and how we could take our offense to a higher level,” Harper said. Freshman guard Alexa Willard said mental toughness is what they could’ve used. “Mental toughness is going to take us a step further this year because I don’t think we had it last year,” Willard said. “When things got hard in games last year, we just kind of gave in, but I think this year, that’s what is going to take us over the edge.” The Lady Bears saw their best defensive effort in 25 years when they held Loyola to 32 points, winning 60-32. But perhaps the most monumental memory of the season was when Stiles was immortalized on campus. She became the first former student-athlete to get a statue on campus. It sits on the south side of JQH Arena. “I really wish I could put into words,” Stiles said after the statue unveiling. “I never in my wildest dreams imagined having something like this.”

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BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2017 • W5

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Coaches Kellie and Jon Harper before a game last season.

Year five of Kellie Harper CORTLYNN STARK News Editor @Cortlynn_Stark Lady Bears’ head coach Kellie Harper alternates between sitting and squatting. She watches the game intently, the back and forth of athletes, as junior guard Liza Fruendt sinks a 3-pointer, as junior forward Aubrey Buckley snatches the ball from the opposing team and sophomore guard Alexa Willard drives to the basket. They do exactly what Harper wants them to do. “I think it’s completely 100 percent exactly what Harper wants it to be,” Fruendt said. “And we all understand that and have adapted to that. She comes in and sets the tone, and you either get it or you don’t.” Harper starts her fifth year at Missouri State this season. In the past four years, she’s collected 72 wins. In 2016, Harper led the Lady Bears to their 10th MVC Tournament championship. But in Harper’s past four years, they haven’t won a regular season title. “One thing I said I wanted to do is be in contention to win the Valley every year I think we’re to the point where we can compete for it, not saying we are going to win it every year, but we can compete for it every year,” Harper said. “I think that’s where we want to be. I think the next step is winning it, and that’s a goal we hope to get sooner rather than later.” Harper held the head coach position at Western Carolina and North Carolina State before coming to MSU and her husband, Jon, has been an assistant coach for her at all three. She signed a five-year agreement, which will be up for consideration this following the upcoming season. And, Harper is setting the level of the team’s work ethic.

“She sets that standard and that’s why we have great practices, because the tone is set from the very top,” Fruendt said. Willard said Harper will meet one-on-one with the team members to talk about what they need to do to improve. For Willard, that was playing pickup basketball with strangers. Harper knows what she’s doing. “She’s a smart coach,” Willard said. “She’s able to point things out real quick. I think we all knew in the back of our heads what was wrong, the way the season ended, you know there was definitely something up.” Meeting with everyone individually helps Harper coach each athlete how they need to be coached as an individual. “She understands that we are different players and different people, and that different people need different styles of coaching,” senior forward Audrey Holt said. “I do think we do have a different mix of personalities, but she does a good job of knowing what each specific person needs from her.” When it comes to how the Lady Bears plan on winning, it boils down to defense. “The defensive end is important,” Fruendt said. “From day one, Harper has set that standard, and if you don’t play defense, you won’t play.” Harper said the best four years have flown by but she’s enjoyed every minute of it. The next goal? Winning the Valley. “I am constantly trying to evaluate where our program needs to go and thus where I need to go and what I need to do and who I need to be for our players,” Harper said. “I need to be me, but how can I make them better and how can I be better for them? “I think you are constantly looking for that and constantly growing as a staff and as a program, you’re constantly changing and hopefully we will be clicking this season.”

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New offense, high expectations The 2016-17 season ended abruptly for the Lady Bears, but they’re back with a vengeance

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Senior forward Aubrey Buckley attacks the basket. ALEC McCHESNEY Sports Editor @Alec_McChesney Though it seems like just yesterday, Missouri State Lady Bears head coach Kellie Harper has been at the helm in Springfield since the start of the 2013 college basketball season, guiding the Bears to three straight postseason appearances. “Year five has come so fast,” Harper said. “It has really flown by, but I really do love being here in Springfield and being at Missouri State. I have enjoyed every minute of it.” And although the Bears have seen considerable success during Harper’s tenure, she believes there’s room for improvement — as a coach and for the program. “I am constantly trying to evaluate where our program needs to go, and thus, where I need to go and what I need to do and who I need to be for our players,” Harper said. “I need to be me, but how can I make them better and how can I be better for them? “I think you are constantly growing as a staff and as a program, you’re constantly changing and, hopefully, we will be clicking again this season.” To click in the 2017-18 season, Harper will rely on her four seniors: Liza Fruendt, Lee Ann Polowy, Audrey Holt and Aubrey Buckley. The quartet has combined for 139 starts over the last three seasons and won the 2016 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, advancing to the National Tournament.

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Sophomore Alexa Willard squares up a 3-point shot. That experience still guides them today. “When we won a championship our sophomore year, we really had three senior leaders that set a tone every single day, and that’s something we really can remember and know the feeling of what it’s like when we have a great day and a bad day,” Fruendt said. “We have really high goals and I think we’ve done a good job of letting everyone know that these are our goals, and either you are on board or you are not.” Though the unit provides stability and leadership, Fruendt’s scoring ability will likely fuel

the Lady Bears’ offense all season. The senior, who spent her first two seasons at MSU as a spark plug off the bench, averaged 16.7 points, 5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in 2016-17. Those numbers led Fruendt to earning FirstTeam All-MVC honors, and resulted in her being selected as the MVC Preseason Player of the Year. “With her experience and what she is able to do as a player, everyone respects her work ethic and her competitiveness and motor; it’s always going,” Harper said. “Our fans appreciate it and so do her teammates, and we are going to look

for a lot out of her this year.” But for her senior year, Fruendt is focusing on more than just scoring. “There was a lot of things in the offseason I tried to focus on, but mainly, it was being the senior leader that we need and being that center of it and stepping up for everyone else, while knowing that everyone has my back,” she said. “Game-wise, I’m trying to be more aggressive with my mid-range jumper rather than just relying on the 3-ball, and the defensive end is important. From day one, Harper has set that standard, and if you don’t play defense, you won’t play.” Additionally, Harper wants the Lady Bears to become more team-focused on the offensive end, improving their offensive efficiency in a big way from a year ago. MSU averaged just 11.3 assists per game, while turning the ball over 16 times per contest. On average, the Lady Bears made a little more than 23 field goals a game, meaning there were double-digit buckets with no assist. And with senior point guard Lexi Hughes, who averaged a team-leading 2.7 assists per game, graduating, the Lady Bears must transition to a team-oriented offense. “We felt like what we needed to work on from last year was our offensive efficiency and how we could take our offense to a higher level, so we have worked very hard on that since the end of last season,” Harper said. The Lady Bears defeated Lindenwood in their lone exhibition and open the regular season against Ball State on the road on Nov. 13.

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INSIDE 4 Women’s preview 5 Kellie Harper 6 Last season 7 Liza Fruendt 8-9 Top five games 10-11 Player previews 12 Schedule 13 Staff predictions 14 Around the Valley

Advertising staff Tyler Krtek sales Myles Jackson sales Hailey Gilbreath sales Tessa Phongsavath graphic design Lauren Simpson bookkeeping/office

Reporters/Photographers Megan Burke senior reporter/photographer Matt Campanelli reporter Shelby Dowler reporter Hanna Flanagan reporter

Professional staff Jack Dimond faculty adviser Sandy King advertising manager

Cover design by Tessa Phongsavath Jersey courtesy of MSU Athletics Communications

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The Standard 901 S. National Avenue • Springfield, MO 65897 417-836-5272 • Standard@MissouriState.edu the-standard.org

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