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Alley-oops and thunderous dunks have become fairly common for Missouri State’s Tulio Da Silva.
Not long ago, thanks to NCAA transfer rules, Da Silva’s impact on the team was expected to be minimal at best.
“We didn’t anticipate that we would play, so the fact now that he’s playing has really helped our team,” said Bears Head Coach Dana Ford last month.
Fast forward to now and think where the Bears might be without him.
6’8″ forward and three-year starter Obediah Church last played in mid-December before leaving the program.
Then the Bears lost 6’10” forward Szymon Wojcik to a season-ending injury after just 14 games.
That meant more of the load fell on the 6’8″ Da Silva, the only Bears starter standing taller than 6’5″
“It’s been a blessing, just being prepared all the time, being in the gym practicing and it’s just been a blessing to play this year and help my teammates and my coaching staff too,” Da Silva said of his expanded role.
Ford has said Da Silva’s emergence is providing the Bears with value they can’t replace.
“The other night [vs. Loyola] we made a great play, Webster made a nice pass to Tulio to put us up three with I think maybe or minute or something (left). That’s just a player making a play, that’s not a play we drew up. If Tulio’s not out there then we don’t have that play,” Ford said.
Some of that growth includes shooting the ball from outside. Da Silva has taken and made more three pointers this year than he did in two seasons playing for South Florida.
“I came this summer and I spent a lot of time in the gym working on that, and I spent time working on my skills like dribbling and I feel like we have it set up and everything has come together and I feel good about it,” Da Silva said.
That three-point threat from Da Silva and his teammates is leading to more space underneath.
That’s helped the junior transfer excel by leading the Bears in points and rebounds per game.
Meanwhile he’s tasked with guarding the biggest players on opposing teams, some of whom outweigh Da Silva by 40 pounds or more.
“It’s just different because I’m not a big big man, and I’ve been guarding the big men of the other team so it’s been a physical game and I’m just playing hard,” Da Silva said.
Da Silva’s emergence has earned him the Missouri Valley Conference player of the week on two different occasions.
It’s also put him into the spotlight as a Valley Newcomer of the Year candidate.
Despite the accolades, he says he just wants the team to win.
“I would do anything for the team, it doesn’t matter if I play the 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 or if I’m on the bench. I’ll be an energy guy and just help my team with whatever they need me to,” Da Silva said.
It’s that type of mindset that has helped the Bears compete at the top of conference, and might help them challenge for a Valley title.
