Missouri State media day

[BEARZ77]

Bears had their media day today. It started with focus on the concerns for long time broadcaster, Art Haines who is now in Nebraska undergoing tx for complications from West Nile virus. Coach Dana Ford reiterated many of the well known dynamics of this team with so many newcomers, but also so many talented players to mix in. Noted he felt the team is sharing the ball better and playing more like his first year team that didn't have the go to guys like Mosley and Prim, noting that offense will come from a variety of players and lineup combos. Probably the biggest ahh hah moment was when asked who were likely starters, he said that could vary but right now two would be Donovan Clay [no brainer] and the other would be freshman Damien Mayo. Consider the Bears have 3 veteran transfer guards who all started on NCAA tourney teams last year, as well as Alston Mason a transfer from Oklahoma , and that tells ya how impressive Mayo is. He's a 3*** guy from Link Academy, but prior to that had along with Michigan St signee Tarris Reed, led St Louis CBC to a state title as juniors, and then both went to Link. He's a 6'3 kinda combo guy , not a true pg but a true natural leader who excels in effort, smarts, defense, etc and also happened to be noted as the top dunker on a team full of long athletic players. But Ford also noted that Matthew Lee who was the pg on Elite 8 St Peter's last year would definitely be on the court late in games regardless . He and Mason are having a good battle for perhaps the starting pg spot.

Ford also noted that Clay is getting significant attention from pro scouts because at 6'8 and long, and being able to play any position he fits the current profile for an NBA prospect. Clay a senior this year, could still return for another year after this if he so chooses.