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Basketball Bears look to make plays this season STEPHEN TERRILL Sports Editor @Stevethe2nd
Entering year three under head coach Dana Ford, the Missouri State basketball Bears are looking to be more consistent than last season. Before last season even began, the Bears were picked to win the Missouri Valley Conference. That title ended up going to Northern Iowa, while the Bears placed seventh with a record of 16-17. This season will see an increased emphasis on playmaking, something Ford said the team needs more of. “I think playmaking was a part of last year’s team that we really lacked,” Ford said on an episode of “Inside the Cave,” an interview series with Missouri State coaches. “We lost one of the best playmakers in the conference in Josh (Webster), and we didn’t do a good enough job replacing him.” Ford said the additions of NJCAA Division I All-American Demarcus Sharp, a transfer from Colby Community College in Kansas, and Skylar Wicks, a 6’6” freshman forward from Florida, will help the team make File Photo by Jaylen Early/The Standard plays. Sophomore Isiaih Mosley shoots a layup The Bears’ backcourt will have to have a different look this season, due during a January 2020 game against the Northern Iowa Panthers at JQH Arena. to both graduation and transfers. Last season’s leader in playing time, guard Keandre Cook, as well as the graduation and being healthy. Prim played late-season spark plug Ross Owens, gradu- limited minutes last season due to a lingering knee injury. ated in the spring. “I don’t anticipate (Prim) not being Redshirt senior guards Tyrik Dixon and Josh Hall and sophomore guard Ford Cooper healthy this year,” Ford said on “Inside the Jr. have all entered the NCAA transfer por- Cave.” “Last year’s injury was brought to our attention literally on the day of our seatal. Sophomore guards Ja’Monta Black and son tip-off. We had to adjust a lot of what Isiaih Mosley, who were starters at times we had practiced when that happened. When last season, may see more playing time be- healthy though, we feel like he’s one of the cause of the departure of so many guards. best players in (the MVC).” The Bears’ non-conference schedule will The guard position is going to be more of a utility spot than a singular role, accord- be more local than it has in years past due ing to Ford. to the lack of money college athletic depart“We’ve kind of moved away from the ments have as a result of COVID-19. Ford traditional point guard, shooting guard, said MSU has reached out to a lot of Division small forward,” Ford said on “Inside the I colleges in the area to schedule games, but Cave.” not all schools have said yes. There are fewer changes in the frontcourt The Bears’ season will start near the end for the Bears, with only Tulio Da Silva grad- of October or beginning of November, but uating. the start date could be changed as the Senior forward Gaige Prim will likely COVID-19 pandemic progresses. They play see an increase in minutes due to Da Silva’s their home games in JQH Arena.
