OPINION|
Season two of Cuonzo Martin’s second era as Missouri State’s basketball coach came to an end on Friday as the ninth-seeded Bears fell to No. 4 seed Louisiana Tech 69-66 at the Conference USA Tournament semifinals in Huntsville, Ala.
While disappointing to see the Bears’ bid for a longshot tourney title come up short, two victories earlier in the week at Propst Arena — including taking down No. 1 seed Liberty — ought to be something the program can build upon headed into the offseason.
The final record of 16-18 is nothing to celebrate, but Missouri State made notable progress from the 9-23 nightmare of one year ago in its final Missouri Valley Conference season. Making a run during its first C-USA tourney injects some much-needed momentum into the program.
“The core and the foundation of the program is there,” Martin said during his post-game show on the Bears Basketball Radio Network. “That locker room (after the game), it’s always tough. I’ve had my share of tears over my 54 years, but that was a very emotional locker room.”
Louisiana Tech, a school that’s in a legal battle with C-USA to leave the league before next season, kept Missouri State’s progress from accelerating. The Bulldogs beat the Bears three times by a combined six points.
Some key offensive rebounds went to Louisiana Tech in the final minutes, leaving the Bears training by seven with two minutes to go. But Missouri State made a final run, with a 3-pointer by freshman Trey Williams Jr. in the final half-minute to draw the Bears within one — but the Bulldogs iced it at the foul line.
The Bears’ defense had no answer for Bulldogs’ guard A.J. Bates, who had 16 of his game-high 27 points in the first half. Louisiana Tech used a 9-0 run to pull away from a 49-all tie midway through the second half, but Missouri State didn’t go away, despite a rough shooting day from the perimeter as the Bears were 7-for-26 from 3-point range.
“I think it really came down to Bates,” Martin said in the post-game news conference. “He made some tough shots. He made tough, timely shots, and he got key, timely offensive rebounds.”
Seniors Michael Osei-Bonsu and Keith Palek III led the Bears with 19 and 15 points, respectively. Martin said the emotional post-game locker room ramped up with reality that the two seniors are done.
“They’ve set a tone for our program to move forward,” Martin said.
Missouri State freshman point guard Trey Williams pushes the ball up the floor at the Conference USA Tournament on Friday against Louisiana Tech. (Photo by Conference USA)
The first season in C-USA found taller, more-athletic opposition than Missouri State saw in the Valley. Martin spoke several times late in the season about the need to upgrade the roster’s make-up and depth moving forward. He said more length, speed and physicality will be needed to compete for the top of the league and eventually end an NCAA Tournament drought that stretches to 1999.
“You have to have really good guards,” Martin said following the Bears’ final regular-season game. “You’ve got to have size, length and physicality. And for me, I’ve always been a guy who believes in those (athletic) wings, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6 guys that can cover a lot of ground, do a lot of different things.
“I think right now we’re a little thin on the perimeter as far as size and physicality, especially for how we want to play and be.”
The guard position has a base to build around. Junior Kobi Williams became one of the league’s top 3-point shooters and a solid defender in his first season in the program with Trey Williams evolving into one of the league’s best freshmen.
Freshman Melakih Cunningham, with 13 points on Friday, has size at 6-6 and athleticism at the guard position.
“Both are extremely hard workers,” Martin said of Trey Williams and Cunningham. “Those guys don’t leave the gym without two workouts. Trey has really grown throughout the season. Then you look at Melakih and the plan was to redshirt him, but he came out of redshirt and did a great job. He’s a 6-6, physically young guy who just turned 18 years old.”
Unfortunately, the play of the youngsters will attract suitors from other schools with bigger budgets. Retaining the young guards will be equally as important as bringing in newcomers in a world of rampant transfer portal movement.
Martin said after the last home game that the administration, led by Athletic Director Patrick Ransdell, is doing a good job to boost the NIL area.
“Patrick and his team have done a great job, generating resources, financial resources,” Martin said. “Our fan base sees the energy out there. They see a team that’s competing and working hard. We just need to add a few pieces and we’ll do that.”
Martin signed two high school seniors in the early period last November — 6-7 forward Amare Oba of Henderson, Nev., and 6-2 guard Terrence Hays Jr. of Gary, Ind. Oba led his team to the Nevada high school state title game this season.
Louisiana Tech guard AJ Bates is trapped by Missouri State’s Kobi Williams and Keith Palek III on Friday at the Conference Tournament. (Photo by Conference USA)
There’s obviously plenty to replace at forward with Osei-Bonsu and Palek out of eligibility, but that also could mean a chance to become quicker and more athletic on both ends. All avenues of recruiting are open, including college transfers (Division I, II or juco) and high school.
Martin remains steadfast in his belief that big things are coming for Missouri State men’s basketball. He is correct in asserting that the trajectory is headed in the right direction compared to a year ago.
This offseason will be one of the most important in recent memory in terms of roster construction. Will Season 3 of the Martin Era be a big breakthrough? We’ll see.
“We’re in a position to win a championship. If I’m here, we’ll win a championship,” Martin said prior to the league tournament. “I believe that without a doubt. There are some parts you have to get. You understand going into this next season and in this conference, what you need.”
Lyndal Scranton is a Springfield native who has covered sports in the Ozarks for more than 35 years, witnessing nearly every big sports moment in the region during the last 50 years. The Missouri Sports Hall of Famer, Springfield Area Sports Hall of Famer and live-fire cooking enthusiast also serves as PR Director for Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri and is co-host of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast. Contact him at Lscranton755@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @LyndalScranton. More by Lyndal Scranton