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Beginning Monday, June 21st,
2004 CHN began unveiling 144 Team previews in 144 Days. CHN ranked the
nations top 144 teams, and is unveiling one per day leading up until the
opening day of the 2004-05 Season.
Bookmark the
144 Teams in 144 Days home page, and check back
each day to see which team is previewed next.
#137
Southwest Missouri State Bears
2003-04: 19-14, 9-9, 5th
MVC
By
Joel Welser
 While the Bears lose a few key
players, this is still a very deep team. Head coach Barry Hinson had 12
players who averaged over ten minutes a game last year. Nine of them are
returning and looking to improve on last years 9-9 conference record.
Who’s Out: Starting point
guard Merrill Andrews and center Monwell Randle have both used up their
eligibility. The sixth man, Shelton Colwell, who played in all 33 of the
Bears games, is also gone. Roleplayers Tommy Johnson and Drew Paradoski are
also not expected to return to SMS next season.
Who’s In: It’s not a deep
class coming into Springfield, but this year’s recruits fill the team
needs. Junior college transfer Deke Thompson could see some immediate
minutes at the point guard position with the absence of Andrews. Freshman
power forward Drew Richards will deepen the post presence. Sky Frazier and
Jeremy Nicholson redshirted last season and will be eligible to play for the
2004-05 season.
Who to Watch: Blake Ahearn
didn’t see too many minutes during his freshman season, but still managed to
score over ten points per game. The 6-2 shooting guard will most likely see
increased minutes and be one of the go to scorers for SMS. The Bears will
probably go 12 deep again this year and could use a leading scorer to look
to down the stretch of close games.
Projected Conference Rank:
Southwest Missouri State isn’t up to the level of some of the perennial MVC
powerhouses. The Bears will stay in the top half of the standings and
finish in 5th place.
Projected Post-season
Tournament: none
«
Team
#138 ,
Team #136
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Email Joel Welser:
jwelser_chn@ameritech.net
Chat About CHN's Top #144
Ranking:
http://pub14.ezboard.com/fcollegehoopsnetfrm8
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