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SPRINGFIELD — Paul Lusk laid out the reality of his program after falling to Wichita State in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament semifinals.
“I think we’re still building,” he said. “People say, ‘That’s crazy. That cannot happen.’ We know that Year 4 was very difficult for us. This year, I thought we were ready to make huge jump and that didn’t happen.”
It is well-documented that the fourth season of the Lusk era at Missouri State saw the departure of scoring leader Marcus Marshall, a move that brought the growth of the program to a halt.
Fast forward to 2017: The Shockers are gone and Lusk has assembled his most gifted group in Springfield, one that is favored to win the Missouri Valley Conference for the first time ever.
“Maybe if these guys had done anything before, they could stick their chest out,” he said. “Last I checked, Illinois State was 19-2 last year in the conference. You have a program in Northern Iowa that has done it consistently on a national level. You still have to go produce.”
The Bears are gaining notoriety on a national level in regard to 6-9 forward Alize Johnson. He’s the first preseason MVC Player of the Year from the program since Kyle Weems had a loaded offseason. He familiarized himself with the NBA Draft process, worked out for the Boston Celtics and made waves at Adidas Nations 2017.
The senior is the top returning rebounder in the MVC at 10.6 boards per night to go with a team-high 14.8 points on average. He sat out exhibitions against Kansas State and Southwest Baptist due to a knee sprain but should not miss significant time.
“The preseason awards are nice, but there is a ton of work to do,” said Johnson. “We have the pieces to do it. We’re deep this year. Everyone has bought in to what Coach wants to do.
“I’ve been working towards those types of accomplishments since I’ve been little. I don’t let it get to me just because I know where I was at one point. I stay level-headed because there are other things I need to worry about, like the players on this team.”
The frontcourt depth continues with bounce-happy big man, Obediah Church, who enters his junior season fresh off a spot on the All-MVC Defensive Team. The 6-7 sparkplug of a forward is the Valley’s top reigning shot blocker on average, swatting 74 a year ago.
“Obi has been dominant in practice,” said Lusk. “He’s going against guys that he’s got to come with it every day. The competition among the big bodies has been terrific.”
Senior forward Jarrid Rhodes should also take on a bigger load following his first campaign in the Division I ranks. He put up a team-high 14 points against SBU to start the month.
“(Rhodes) is a totally different person and player now,” said Lusk. “He has a chance to have an outstanding season. You can see it. He’s comfortable.”
Junior Jarred Dixon expects to take the reins at point guard with his team-high 67 assists coming back. Lusk has heralded the minutes that he and fellow junior guard Ryan Kreklow have put in since their freshman seasons for the dividends he expects them to pay now.
Ronnie Rousseau III returns following his departure from the program after just 14 games last year. Losing his 11.6 points per night was a massive blow to the Bears’ title hopes at the time.
This year’s talent pool of transfers should make an impact again. Tanveer Bhullar, formerly of New Mexico State, is the tallest player to enter the program under Lusk at 7-2. He along with freshman Darrian Scott (6-11) provide the length that the Bears have lacked.
Howard transfer J.T. Miller (6-2 guard) and Northern Oklahoma Tonkawa College product Reggie Scurry (6-5 forward) should expect big minutes as well.
Kickapoo career scoring leader Jared Ridder will sit out the season following his later transfer to MSU from Xavier.
The Bears have already tested their mettle against a Big 12 opponent and in a private scrimmage against vaunted Mizzou. Once Johnson returns to full health, the building process is over. Their seventh season under Lusk carries the biggest weight yet.
“We’ve not done anything. We have a lot to prove,” he said. “I guess it beats the alternative, but we don’t feel any pressure with (predictions). We don’t shy away of it.
“This is clearly the best group we’ve ever had from a talent standpoint.”
