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Missouri Valley Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Loyola Ramblers fans cheer before the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal against the Michigan Wolverines at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Loyola Ramblers fans cheer before the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal against the Michigan Wolverines at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 4: Head coach Paul Lusk of the Missouri State Bears instructs his players in a game against the Wichita State Shockers during the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Semifinals at the Scottrade Center on March 4, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 4: Head coach Paul Lusk of the Missouri State Bears instructs his players in a game against the Wichita State Shockers during the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Semifinals at the Scottrade Center on March 4, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

8. Missouri State Bears

2017-18 season: 18-15 (7-11)

The Bears are the third team in the MVC to undergo a coaching coach as they fired Paul Lusk after this past season. Senior Alize Johnson was a delight to watch. The Indiana Pacers definitely thought so and selected him in Round 2 of the NBA draft. Jarrid Rhodes also impressed, but also graduated leaving Obediah Church, Ryan Kreklow, and Jarred Dixon with some big shoes to fill.

Newly hired Dana Ford will hope to make positive strides these three returning. Church, in particular, was a difference maker this past year as the league leader in blocks (1.9bpg) and should continue to be a factor this upcoming season. Still, the Bears might be better suited for the 2019-20 season.

Coach Ford has been active in the transfer market, receiving commitments from Josh Webster, Josh Hall, and Tulio Da Silva. Webster will be able to play immediately as a grad transfer while Hall and Da Silva will both sit a year before becoming eligible. Help for the future will also come in the form of Middle Tennessee transfer Tyrik Dixon, a point guard with NCAA tournament experience who would also gain eligibility for the 2019-20 season.

Expectations should be realistic for the start of Ford’s tenor. And while Missouri St. could struggle in what will likely be a transition year, there is no reason the Bears shouldn’t put together a halfway decent 2018-19 campaign with sights set on a brighter future.