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October 2nd,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Missouri
State Bears
Overall Rank:
#37
Conference
Rank: #3 MVC
2005-06:
22-9, 12-6, 2nd
2005-06
postseason: NIT
 Nobody can feel
more snubbed by the NCAA Selection Committee than Missouri State
and Coach Barry Hinson. After a 20 win season and a 21 RPI, the
Bears were stuck in the NIT. With five players returning who
averaged at least seven points per game, Missouri State hopes to
leave no question about their resume this year.
Who’s Out:
Deke
Thompson averaged 9.6 points and 2.7 assists during his senior
campaign. The point guard was a steady floor leader and his
team leadership role will have to be replaced quickly. Kellen
Easley earned the conference’s Sixth Man of the Year accolades
last year, averaging 9.0 points and 5.6 boards during his last
season in Springfield.
Who’s In:
Spencer
Laurie will take over the point guard duties. Normally running
the show is a tough transition, but it won’t be a problem for
the Missouri transfer. Laurie is a good shooter and distributor
and is expected to handle the job with ease. If there are
problems, redshirt freshman Justin Fuehrmeyer could see some
minutes. Kyle Kirk is the most talented of the incoming
freshmen. The 6-5 wing is a strong, smart player who is
expected to contribute off the bench. The frontcourt court
welcomes the return of Deven Mitchell after sitting out with a
knee injury last year. The 6-5 junior is an amazing athlete and
will be a major contributor if the injury bug is behind him.
Junior college transfer Dex Manswell is a good rebounder and
shot blocker and the 6-7 forward will fill in at the post.
Small forward Ryan Jehle and redshirt freshman center Matt King
aren’t expected to contribute much this season, but King could
become a valuable asset if the frontcourt runs into injury or
foul problems.
Who to Watch:
Blake
Ahearn looks to lead the nation in free-throw shooting for a
fourth straight year. He’s not a shabby shooter from anywhere
else on the floor either and averaged 16.2 points per game last
year. Shane Laurie, brother of transfer Spencer, started 14
games last season and should provide a spark off the bench this
year. Dale Lamberth and Tyler Chaney will battle for minutes at
the three spot. Lamberth, who averaged 7.3 points and 2.9
rebounds during the 2005-2006 campaign, is a liability on
defense, but is a solid scorer and long range shooter. Chaney
is the most likely candidate to return to the starting role
after averaging 8.8 points and starting 18 games as a junior.
Final
Projection:
Nathan Bilyeu is
an underappreciated blue collar power forward. At 6-6 and 215
pounds, he’s a little undersized, but Bilyeu is a good rebounder
and scorer in traffic and will once again be the leader of the
frontcourt. When Sky Frazier and Drew Richards are put
together, they are a solid center, combining for 11.2 points and
7.9 rebounds on the season. Frazier is more efficient on the
perimeter while Richards can battle in the paint. And it is a
good thing there are two of them, since both are foul prone.
This is a deep team and a talented team. Don’t be surprised if
the Bears win the Missouri Valley Conference and pick up an NCAA
bid a year too late.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Spencer Laurie,
Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Blake Ahearn,
Senior , Guard, 16.2 points per game
Tyler Chaney,
Senior, Guard, 8.8 points per game
Nathan Bilyeu,
Senior, Forward, 9.0 points per game
Drew Richards,
Junior, Center, 4.2 points per game
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