2011-2012 Missouri State Bears Basketball Preview

Missouri State Bears - Missouri Valley Conference (MVC)

2010-11: 26-9, 15-3

2010-11 postseason: NIT

Coach: Paul Lusk (First year at Missouri State, 0-0 overall)

Missouri State won their first MVC title ever last season. Then everything changed. Coach Cuonzo Martin left and the man who replaced him as the associate head coach at Purdue three years ago when Martin took the Bears job, has now followed in Martin’s footsteps again and taken over for him at Missouri State. Coach Paul Lusk will have a similar situation to work with that Martin did when he arrived. There is talent coming in, but there is a lot of rebuilding to do and Coach Lusk will have to fit all the pieces together.

Who’s Out:

Four players are gone who started all 35 games during the 2010-2011 campaign. On a team that went just seven deep, that is a huge chunk of the team’s production in every statistical category. Nafis Ricks was a steady point guard who developed into a quality scorer by the end of his collegiate career. Adam Leonard wrapped up a superb career at Missouri State and the sharpshooter knocked down 2.5 three-pointers per game during his senior season. Jermaine Mallett was the most dynamic backcourt player on the team. He could shoot, pass, rebound and was second on the team in scoring. Big man Will Creekmore was a fine interior scorer and his presence gave all the shooters plenty of open looks. Even Nick Valla and Aaron Cooper are gone, meaning six of the 11 players who saw any game action last season will not return.

Who’s In:

With one starter and a couple role-players returning, the newcomers will have to play a huge role right away. Fortunately it is a good group of newcomers. Michael Bizoukas is a seasoned loser after spending three years at DePaul. While the Blue Devils were losing, Bizoukas was earning the occasional start and was actually a very steadying force with the ball in his hands. He did not have many options and failed to really make too much of an impact at DePaul, but he was a solid point guard when given the opportunity. He can stretch out the defense with his outside shot and should at least be able to be a leader on this young team and find the scorers. A couple of those scorers will be junior college transfers Anthony Downing and Jarmar Gulley. Downing can run the point too, but he can also score so he may spend more time off the ball. Gulley is a bigger guard who can attack the basket and help out a little more on the glass. Corbin Thomas may be the best of the juco’s. The 6-6 forward missed most of his freshman campaign and has flown under the radar a little bit, but he is a good athlete and fine rebounder who should provide some quality depth at the least. Power forward Christian Kirk highlights the group of three incoming freshmen. Andrew Wilson will try and add more depth up front and Dorrian Williams is a talented point guard who will be running this team in a couple of years.

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Who to Watch:

The good news is reigning Missouri Valley Player of the Year Kyle Weems is the one returning starter. Weems, a 6-6 forward, led the Bears with 16.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. He can do it all. Weems is a very consistent shooter from long range and can obviously score in a variety of other ways. Weems will have to carry this team, but there are a couple more players back to join him in the frontcourt. Small forward Nathan Scheer worked his way into the regular rotation as a freshman, averaging over 20 minutes per game. He was not asked to do much scoring, but he can shoot the ball and will use his 6-4 frame to attack the basket. He is a solid all-around player and his experience should get him into a starting role…for now at least. Caleb Patterson is a big 6-11, 260 pound center who started his career at Colorado. He can shoot the ball quite well for a player his size and is a pretty good scorer when he is on the floor. He will not be able to stay out there for 25 to 30 minutes per game, but he should see an increase in playing time.

Final Projection:

Keith Pickens missed all of the 2010-2011 campaign after having knee surgery. As a freshman two years ago he showed plenty of promise as an athletic wing. He is a great leaper who can help out on the glass and finish off the rim. With Downing, Gulley, Scheer and Pickens on the wings, this team will do plenty of scoring. And if they need more scoring, Downing can run the point, opening up an extra spot for a scorer. That would leave the experienced Bizoukas on the bench, but he will certainly get in the game when Coach Lusk needs another ball handler on the floor.

Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT

Projected Starting Five:

Michael Bizoukas, Senior, Guard, DNP last season
Anthony Downing, Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Nathan Scheer, Sophomore, Forward, 4.1 points per game
Kyle Weems, Senior, Forward, 16.0 points per game
Caleb Patterson, Senior, Center, 5.5 points per game

By Joel Welser courtesy of www.CollegeSportsMadness.com
CollegeSports-fans.com Senior Basketball Writer

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