Missouri State Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for Bears

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 8: Members of the Missouri State Bears huddle up prior to playing against the Wichita State Shockers during the MVC Basketball Tournament Semifinals at the Scottrade Center on March 8, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Shockers beat the Bears 67-42. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 04: Lamont West #15 of the West Virginia Mountaineers reacts after a call during the second half of the game against the Florida Gators at Madison Square Garden on December 04, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Coach Ford loaded up on transfers for 2019-20

Speaking of transfer, that was the name of the game this summer for Ford. Not only did Missouri State land one of the best grad transfers in the country Lamont West from West Virginia, but he also welcomes three transfers that had to sit out last season, guards Tyrik Dixon (Middle Tennessee), Spencer Brown (Lyon College), and Josh Hall (Nevada).

The 6’8 West is seen as a perfect complement to Da Silva in the Bears’ frontcourt. He scored 11 points and grabbed four rebounds per game for a disappointing West Virginia squad last season. The Bears’ backcourt gets plenty of reinforcements, while at Middle Tennessee State Dixon did a little bit of everything with 4.8, 3.0. and 3.1 averages in his last season there. Hall comes to Springfield from Nevada where he played key minutes in their backcourt, averaging 6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds. Brown should add guard depth, the 6-2 Arkansas native scored nine points per game for Lyon College last season.

Two other newcomers should add to the Missouri State excitement, forward Gaige Prim is one of the best JuCo prospects in the country. Prim averaged 20.7 points and 11.5 rebounds for South Plain College, the 6-8 250lb. big man gives the Bears a formidable back up to Da Silva. Freshman guard Ford Cooper, Jr. should battle for some guard minutes off the bench.