Missouri State Bears (26-9, 15-3)
Projected starting five:
Sr. F Kyle Weems
Sr. C Caleb Patterson
So. F Nathan Scheer
So. G Corey Copeland
So. G Keith Pickens
Important departures:
Jermaine Mallet: 11.7 ppg, 6 rpg
Will Creekmore:11.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg
Adam Leonard: 10.1 ppg
Nafis Ricks: 9.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg
Percent returning:
Starts: 20.0 percent
Minutes: 37.2 percent
Scoring: 39.2 percent
Rebounding: 39.5 percent
Additions:
Missouri State brings in several transfers to help replace the four seniors from last season. Junior guard Anthony Downing, guard/forward Jamar Gulley and forward Drew Wilson enter to try to help the Bears defend their conference crown. Freshman guard and serious 3-point threat Dorrian Williams will also join the lineup this winter, as will freshman forward Christian Kirk, who was regarded as one of the state of Missouri’s top high school seniors.
Toughest nonconference match ups:
Dec. 3 at New Mexico
Dec. 7 vs. Oklahoma State
Dec. 22 vs. West Virginia
Dec. 23 vs. St. Mary’s
Outlook:
The defending MVC champions could be in rebuilding mode this winter with the departure of four starters and its head coach. Head coach Cuonzo Martin bolted for the opportunity to take Tennessee’s head coaching position, leaving new MSU head coach Paul Lusk to replace four players who started all 35 of the Bears’ games in 2010-11, as well as two other players who transferred. Missouri State has one of the conference’s most dangerous players on its roster, but the departures of so many might be too much to overcome in 2011-12.
