NW Men's Basketball Pushes Past Losing Season, Restarts With Roster Changes

[libertybearcat]

What were the other options for HC when this was filled? Was it a job that had so much pressure and so big that people didn't want it?
Was there a NW connection?

Not sure how in-depth the search was, but AP knew MK from MK's time at Washburn (IIRC) if not it was another MIAA school. From my understanding that's why he went that way.

[BurlingameRoad]

Not sure how in-depth the search was, but AP knew MK from MK's time at Washburn (IIRC) if not it was another MIAA school. From my understanding that's why he went that way.

Yeah Keeley was a Washburn assistant under Chipman for a bit, came from a Washburn family too. Sister was on the national title team and dad played football.

[libertybearcat]

Yeah Keeley was a Washburn assistant under Chipman for a bit, came from a Washburn family too. Sister was on the national title team and dad played football.

I thought I was remembering correctly! I do recall the deep ties he had with Washburn too.

He's a good guy, I'm hoping things work out for him. Seems like a lot of Bearcat fans have gotten spoiled the last 30 years... Ben struggled his first 2 years as HC at NW and he figured it out. I believe MK was hamstrung in year one having to keep several of Ben's guys who didn't play much for Ben and don't fit what MK wants to do. So, I'm giving at least one more year before I get to riled up about things with him.

IMO I think a lot of folks don't like AP as AD (myself included) so it's almost like they're rooting for MK to fail miserably to apply more pressure on getting rid of AP. I'd be surprised if the current administration would get rid of him even if MK fails.

I just looked and NW has qualified for the MIAA tourney... that's improvement over last year... hope he keeps making strides.

[Augieholic]

IMO I think a lot of folks don't like AP as AD (myself included) so it's almost like they're rooting for MK to fail miserably to apply more pressure on getting rid of AP. I'd be surprised if the current administration would get rid of him even if MK fails.

What's wrong with the NW Mo Athletic Director?

[libertybearcat]

What's wrong with the NW Mo Athletic Director?

There's a long list of issues, I won't post it here, but there has been many, many mentions throughout posts more in the MIAA section of the football part of the board.

He's a likeable guy, but it is pretty evident he's in over his head in many aspects. I've heard things have gotten better with the new Associate AD, but I haven't met him and since I'm not involved with much of anything at the school any longer I can't say if he has helped or not.

[Stanger86]

He's a good guy, I'm hoping things work out for him. Seems like a lot of Bearcat fans have gotten spoiled the last 30 years... Ben struggled his first 2 years as HC at NW and he figured it out. I believe MK was hamstrung in year one having to keep several of Ben's guys who didn't play much for Ben and don't fit what MK wants to do. So, I'm giving at least one more year before I get to riled up about things with him.

Taking over for a legend can be tricky. I see some similarities to the transition at Southwest in the early 2000s. After Tim Miles moved on to NDSU after his historic run leading the team to the Elite Eight, he was replaced by Greg Stemen. While Stemen had been Miles' assistant, most of his success was at the lower JUCO level. The drop-off for the Mustangs wasn't as sharp, but it still happened. Over his first four seasons, the program got worse every year. The team went from 28 wins and a region championship in Miles' last year to consecutive sub-.500 seasons in Year 3 and 4 under Stemen. But slowly the team turned it around. Just four years after that, the Mustangs were back in the Elite Eight. Will Northwest be as patient? I'm guessing not. But I do think there's at least some reason to not abandon ship yet.

[libertybearcat]

Taking over for a legend can be tricky. I see some similarities to the transition at Southwest in the early 2000s. After Tim Miles moved on to NDSU after his historic run leading the team to the Elite Eight, he was replaced by Greg Stemen. While Stemen had been Miles' assistant, most of his success was at the lower JUCO level. The drop-off for the Mustangs wasn't as sharp, but it still happened. Over his first four seasons, the program got worse every year. The team went from 28 wins and a region championship in Miles' last year to consecutive sub-.500 seasons in Year 3 and 4 under Stemen. But slowly the team turned it around. Just four years after that, the Mustangs were back in the Elite Eight. Will Northwest be as patient? I'm guessing not. But I do think there's at least some reason to not abandon ship yet.

Good question. I haven't heard about any money guys complaining about him, as long as that doesn't happen and he keeps an upward trajectory he'll be okay. They sat on head FB coach Rich Wright a year or two too long. NW doesn't seem to pull the plug quickly on coaches unless there is something really wrong... only one I can think of was several years ago the women's BB coach quit/fired middle of the year because of his treatment of the players. Plus he is the current ADs hire, so that may help him too.

[NWFanatic]

Congrats to MK for making the MIAA(10th seed) in his 2nd year and improving win total by 9/lowering losses by 7(so far)

[libertybearcat]

Congrats to MK for making the MIAA(10th seed) in his 2nd year and improving win total by 9/lowering losses by 7(so far)

Agreed... making progress is a good sign for the program. Hope he can get more of his type of guys and move up into the 4-6 range in the conference next year.

[Try II]

Agreed... making progress is a good sign for the program. Hope he can get more of his type of guys and move up into the 4-6 range in the conference next year.

I'd think moving up will be tough when the top 3 scorers -- Gair, Williams, Mays -- are done. (side note: that trio combined to play for 15 programs). Keep most everyone else around (some will portal) and maybe find another group of effective transfers.

[libertybearcat]

I'd think moving up will be tough when the top 3 scorers -- Gair, Williams, Mays -- are done. (side note: that trio combined to play for 15 programs). Keep most everyone else around (some will portal) and maybe find another group of effective transfers.

Didn't say it was easy, but with the way the fan base seems to be right now, I think he needs to keep making progress and with the portal, replacing scoring isn't necessarily impossible to do.

[NWHoops]

I'd think moving up will be tough when the top 3 scorers -- Gair, Williams, Mays -- are done. (side note: that trio combined to play for 15 programs). Keep most everyone else around (some will portal) and maybe find another group of effective transfers.

Gair will be addition by substraction

[NWFanatic]

MIAA Tourney
NW got a technical for 6 men on the court during play in the 1st half. Gair tried to hide behind the Lions bench when he realized it…crazy…hope those 2 pts don’t end up mattering

[ZubCat81]

NW Bearcat Basketball 2026-27 ... ('crickets')

There is an eeiry silence with HC Keeley and the Bearcat BB program, i.e., recruiting. However, did see the FB photo announcement (see above) of the seven (7) graduating seniors from this past 2025-26. season.

[ZubCat81]

Northwest Missouri State Basketball·
Congratulations to our 7 Seniors who will walk across the stage and graduate this weekend! You have left your mark on Bearcat Basketball! OABAAB!