Missouri Southern Basketball - A New Era

[mosofan1]

The MSSU women's basketball schedule came out. Some very tough non-conference matchups:

vs. Texas Women's University and Ashland at D2CCA tip-off classic in St. Joseph, MO
vs. Concordia - St. Paul and Henderson State at UCM in Warrensburg, MO
vs. Missouri S&T
vs. Southwest Baptist and Texas A&M International at Arkansas-Fort Smith
vs. Drury
vs. Southern Nazarene
vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State

No true road games for non-conference this year, although there are 6 neutral site games. Will be good to play two games at Arkansas-Fort Smith before we travel there in January since they will now be in the MIAA. The game vs. SWOSU will be interesting, since one of our former players (Hailey Grant) is on SWOSU and will be returning to Joplin for a game.

It looks like the MIAA must be scheduling conference games this year using a north/south model, since we play all of the southern teams home-and-home and only have one game each vs. the northern teams. The ladies will face all 7 northern teams back-to-back in the last seven games of the season including consecutive weeks on the road vs. Northwest Missouri, Missouri Western, Fort Hays, and Nebraska-Kearney. Very challenging schedule again this year.

2024-25 Women's Basketball Schedule - Missouri Southern State University Athletics (mssulions.com)

[Bballfan]

Texas Women who returns most if not all last year's national runner-up team. Then you get Ashland who is a year removed from being national champions.

That's what you call a challenging start to the season!

[mosofan1]

Saw a story on KSN about the men's elite camp. Looks like the men have brought in another transfer for this year. Gavyn Elkamil, a 6'5 SG/SF from SEMO. Sam McMahon is still utilizing his connections at SEMO to bring in players.

Gavyn played high school ball at Pittsburg, KS high school where he average over 24 PPG. He then played a year at Link Academy in Branson, before redshirting a year at Tulsa and then transferring to SEMO. Should be another good addition for this team! Will definitely have to utilize the program this year to get used to all the new players.

[mosofan1]

The Lions men signed one more transfer. Jaden Taylor, a 6'3 guard from SW Tennessee Community College, who averaged 18 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game last year. That now gives us three veteran transfer guards to replace the experienced guards we lost from last season.

The men's signing class is now 9, with 5 transfers and 4 freshmen. Couple that with a signing class of 10 for the ladies, i have no idea what to expect from either team this year.

[Bballfan]

The Lions men signed one more transfer. Jaden Taylor, a 6'3 guard from SW Tennessee Community College, who averaged 18 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game last year. That now gives us three veteran transfer guards to replace the experienced guards we lost from last season.

The men's signing class is now 9, with 5 transfers and 4 freshmen. Couple that with a signing class of 10 for the ladies, i have no idea what to expect from either team this year.

Unfortunately a reality of college athletics today. It is not unusual to have 10 new players on a hoop team these days. Even strong programs are not immune to it. Some many are always looking for something better. There use to be a penalty to discourage transferring. Now it is whatever you want.

[mosofan1]

Tyrique Brooks Justin Duff, Jamari Lawrence, and Cooper Francis have entered the transfer portal. Was expecting to lose a few after the tough season we had. Knew Tyrique would be moving on to the D1 level at some point, but was hoping we would get one more year of him. Was really hoping to see Justin stay since he was a tough, hard-nosed player. Unfortunately, Jamari and Cooper never played many minutes.

[mosofan1]

Tyrique Brooks Justin Duff, Jamari Lawrence, and Cooper Francis have entered the transfer portal. Was expecting to lose a few after the tough season we had. Knew Tyrique would be moving on to the D1 level at some point, but was hoping we would get one more year of him. Was really hoping to see Justin stay since he was a tough, hard-nosed player. Unfortunately, Jamari and Cooper never played many minutes.

Tyrique Brooks has committed to Missouri State. Justin Duff has committed to Truman State. Cortaviaus Seales also entered the transfer portal after sitting out all year due to injury. He has committed to return to Western New Mexico State.

[mosofan1]

Tyrique Brooks has committed to Missouri State. Justin Duff has committed to Truman State. Cortaviaus Seales also entered the transfer portal after sitting out all year due to injury. He has committed to return to Western New Mexico State.

Cooper Francis has committed to William Jewell.

[mosofan1]

I was slow seeing this, but Ryan Franklin, our 6'3 center, entered the transfer portal. This is a huge loss for the Lady Lions!

[LukeMcConnell1]

I was slow seeing this, but Ryan Franklin, our 6'3 center, entered the transfer portal. This is a huge loss for the Lady Lions!

Not sure if she's looking for a D1 option. But with her being an Edmond native and Hannah Giddey leaving, SNU, I would imagine, will be in constant contact.

[mosofan1]

Not sure if she's looking for a D1 option. But with her being an Edmond native and Hannah Giddey leaving, SNU, I would imagine, will be in constant contact.

I saw where she has visited UNLV. Haven't seen anything else yet.

[mosofan1]

Tyrique Brooks Justin Duff, Jamari Lawrence, and Cooper Francis have entered the transfer portal. Was expecting to lose a few after the tough season we had. Knew Tyrique would be moving on to the D1 level at some point, but was hoping we would get one more year of him. Was really hoping to see Justin stay since he was a tough, hard-nosed player. Unfortunately, Jamari and Cooper never played many minutes.

Jamari Lawrence has committed to Wayland Baptist, an NAIA school in Texas.