Northwest Missouri State Basketball: A Program on the Rise

Northwest Missouri State basketball is a program on the rise. The Bearcats have made the NCAA Division II Tournament in each of the last three seasons, and they are looking to make noise again in 2019-20. Head Coach Ben McCollum has built a strong foundation for the program, and the Bearcats have the talent to make a deep run in the tournament this season. Follow Northwest Missouri State Basketball all season long on this blog!

Introduction

Northwest Missouri State University’s Basketball Program has come a long way in recent years The team has seen a resurgence under head coach Ben McCollum, winning the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) regular season title in each of the past four seasons.

During that time, the Bearcats have also made four straight appearances in the NCAA Division II tournament, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2017. With a core group of players returning for the 18-19 season Northwest Missouri State is once again poised to contend for a conference title and make a deep run in the postseason.

The program’s history

Northwest Missouri State University’s men’s Basketball Program has a rich history, dating back to its inception in 1906. The Bearcats have seen success at various levels throughout the years, including stints in the NAIA and NCAA Division II ranks. In recent years however, the Bearcats have made the jump to Division I and are currently members of the Mid-American Conference.

While the Bearcats have not yet reached the NCAA tournament at the Division I level, they have shown steady improvement under Head Coach Steve Alford. In each of Alford’s first three seasons at Northwest Missouri State the Bearcats have won at least 20 games and made appearances in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT). In 2016-2017, the Bearcats won a school-record 27 games and advanced to the CIT semifinals.

With Alford at the helm, it seems like only a matter of time before Northwest Missouri State makes its maiden voyage to the NCAA Tournament In the meantime, Bearcat fans can enjoy watching their team compete against some of the best teams in the country on a nightly basis.

The program’s recent success

Northwest Missouri State University’s men’s basketball team has seen a resurgence in recent years culminating in an appearance in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in 2019. The program has been on the rise under Head coach Ben McCollum, who took over in 2012.

The Bearcats have won 20 or more games in six of McCollum’s seven seasons at the helm, including a school-record 30 wins in 2018-19. They have also won five conference championships and made five appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament during that span.

The Bearcats’ success has not gone unnoticed. They have drawn sellout crowds to their home games at Bearcat Arena and have gained a following among basketball fans in the region. The team’s success has also helped raise the profile of Northwest Missouri State University and increase its enrollment.

The program’s future

Northwest Missouri State Basketball is a program on the rise. After years of rebuilding, the program has become a model of success in recent years, enjoying back-to-back trips to the NCAA Division II tournament and producing several all-conference and all-region players.

The program’s future is bright, with a number of young players returning for the upcoming season and a talented recruiting class coming in. head coach Ben McCollum is one of the best young coaches in Division II, and he has the Bears poised for continued success in the coming years.

support from the university and the community, Northwest Missouri State Basketball is poised for continued success in the coming years.

The program’s facilities

Northwest Missouri State University’s Basketball Program is on the rise, and part of that is due to the top-notch facilities the team has to play and practice in.

The Bearcats play their home games in the 4,500-seat Bearcat Arena, which opened in 2009. The arena has a state-of-the-art sound system and LED video boards, and it was designed with player development in mind – it has spacious locker rooms a weight room, a training room and offices for the Coaching Staff

The team also practices in the adjacent Lewis & Clark Sports Complex which opened in 2011. The facility includes two basketball courts a weight room, a hydrotherapy room and offices for the coaching staff

Both facilities are first-class, and they give Northwest Missouri State University’s basketball program a big advantage when it comes to recruiting.

The program’s coaching staff

The Coaching Staff at Northwest Missouri State is one of the best in the country. They have a combined total of over 80 years of experience coaching basketball at all levels. They have won numerous conference championships and have been to the NCAA tournament multiple times. The staff is led by head coach Paul Lusk, who is in his seventh season with the program. He has a career record of 190-76, which includes four conference championships and four NCAA tournament appearances.

The program’s players

Northwest Missouri State University’s men’s Basketball Program has seen a lot of success in recent years. The team has won four Missouri Valley Conference regular season titles and two conference tournament championships since 2011. They have also made the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament in five of the last six seasons, including a trip to the Sweet Sixteen in 2014.

The program has been fueled by some Great players over the years. Here is a look at some of the program’s most successful players:

-Marcus Lewis: A 6’8″ forward from Kansas City Missouri, Lewis was a four-year starter for the Bearcats from 2011-2015. He was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year as a senior after averaging 15.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game Lewis finished his career with 1,653 points and 817 rebounds, which are both fourth all-time in Northwest history.

-Tyler Kstead: A 6’7″ forward from Omaha, Nebraska, Kstead played three seasons for the Bearcats from 2012-2015. He was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference first team as a junior after averaging 14.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game Kstead finished his career with 1,118 points and 571 rebounds.

-Chris Sebek: A 6’4″ guard from Des Moines Iowa, Sebek played four seasons for the Bearcats from 2011-2015. He was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference second team as a junior and senior after averaging 11.6 points per game as a senior. Sebek finished his career with 1,426 points, which ranks ninth all-time in Northwest history.

The program’s fans

Northwest Missouri State University men’s Basketball team is on the rise, and so is the program’s fan base.

The Bearcats have seen a surge in attendance over the past few years, thanks in part to the team’s success on the court. But it’s also due to the growing number of passionate fans who are eager to support their team.

The Bearcats have had some great teams in recent years, but the fans have really been there for them during the tough times, too. That’s what makes Northwest Missouri State such a special place to play basketball

The program’s fans are some of the most loyal and supportive in all of college basketball They love their team and they’re always there to cheer them on, no matter what.

The program’s rivals

The Northwest Missouri State University Men’s Basketball Program has seen a lot of success in recent years, culminating in a Division II National Championship in 2017. The program has developed a strong following among northwest Missourians, many of whom see the team as a source of pride for the region.

One of the things that makes the Northwest Missouri State basketball program so special is its rivalry with other schools in the region. few programs have such passionate, committed fan bases as Northwest Missouri State and its rivals.

The two most intense rivalries are with Pittsburg State University and Washburn University Both of these schools are located in Kansas, just a few hours’ drive from Northwest Missouri State’s campus in Maryville. The games between these three schools are always hotly contested, and they often have implications for Conference Standings and postseason seeding.

No matter who Northwest Missouri State is playing, though, its games are always worth watching. The program has built a reputation for putting together exciting, competitive teams that play an exciting brand of basketball. If you’re looking for a college basketball program to get behind, Northwest Missouri State is definitely one to consider.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team has seen a meteoric rise in recent years. They have won 3 conference championships in the last 4 years and made 2 NCAA Division II tournament appearances. The program has also produced 2 All-Americans and 3 professional players. With a solid core of returning players and a talented Recruiting Class the future looks bright for the Bearcats.