Missouri State Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Bears

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Head coach Dana Ford of the Missouri State Bears (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Ultra-talented and deep

If this season were to be played on a computer, Missouri State would run away with the title. They are THAT talented. Mosley is no worse than the third-best guard in the league, and Prim is arguably the Valley’s best big man. Those two are surrounded by veteran talent and led by a coach that the players revere.

Isiaih Mosley – Guard

Mosley is the league’s most dangerous offensive performer. His 19.8 scoring and 6.3 rebounding averages tell a small part of the story. The 6’5 junior converted over 50% of his shots, including 39% from deep. While lethal from deep, if he is forced to drive, he must be fouled to be stopped and he led the league with an .847 success rate from the charity stripe.

He made 105 free-throws last season. He was a state title winner at Rock Bridge High School (Columbia, Missouri) and as a 6’5 guard he can shoot over, go through or step back from defenders to score. He is a unique MVC player.

Gaige Prim – Post

Prim is the league’s most complete big man. Not only does he score and rebound at a high level, but he passes out of the double team and runs the floor better than most. Only Loyola’s Cameron Krutwig was equal to or better than Prim last season.

The 6’9 forward/center averaged three assists, blocked 31 shots, and picked up 28 steals. Prim was named to last year’s all-defense team. His .599 field goal percentage was the Valley’s third-best total. Prim is quick and agile and very physical.

Ja’Monta Black – Guard

Mosley’s high school teammate averaged 9.6 points per game and is Missouri State’s ‘glue guy’. He, not Mosley was that state championship team’s team captain. The 6’4 Black led the Bears with 54 triples, but numbers don’t tell his story.

Black plays a pivotal leadership role on this extremely talented team.

Demarcus Sharp – Guard

Sharp is another ‘big guard’. At 6’4 Sharp is another mismatch problem for opposing defenders. As part of the Valley’s all-newcomer team, the former Junior College All-American averaged 8.2 points and 4.2 rebounds while making 50% of his shots. His three-point shooting wasn’t great, but at Colby Community College he converted 44% from deep.

Sharp led the Bears with 3.6 assists per game and after coming off the bench the first nine games of the season, he finished with twelve straight starts. Once joining the starting lineup Sharp averaged over five assists per game.

Donovan Clay – Forward

Clay is a rare intra-conference transfer. After two seasons at Valparaiso, the Alton, Illinois native transferred to the Bears and coach Ford. The 6’8 forward is still acclimating to his bigger body. He grew six inches during his junior and senior seasons of high school.

After being named to the Valley’s 2020 all-freshman team, Clay averaged 10.1 points per game and grabbed 5.5 rebounds during his sophomore campaign. Only Mosley played more conference game minutes last season as Clay logged 33.9 per game. He is a solid defender (35 blocked shots) and is a heady offensive player.