Missouri State men's basketball head coach Dana Ford thought his team had an excellent chance at something historic. The Bears hadn't made an NCAA Tournament in 25 years, but as Ford looked over his roster in the summer of 2023, he believed he had the group that could get MSU into the big dance.
Ford invited hall of fame journalist Lyndal Scranton and photographer Jym Wilson along for the pivotal 2023-2024 season.
“Or if it doesn't work out, you could have an inside look at a coach getting fired,” Ford told Scranton.
The agreement was that the Hauxeda would report the stories — good or bad with no conditions, other than tell them after the season. Scranton and Wilson would have exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to practices, meetings, scouting reports and more. This series, “Bears Insider: A promising season goes awry” is the result.
Bears Insider CHAPTER 1: A promising season goes awry
Bears Insider CHAPTER 2: From first meeting to first game
Bears Insider CHAPTER 3: Heartbreak, a New Year's hangover and the season turns
Bears Insider CHAPTER 4: Epic home court failure and a furious athletic director
Bears Insider CHAPTER 5: A major upset, a celebration and a renewed hope
Bears Insider CHAPTER 6: Out of darkness, into light on the Valley road
Bears Insider CHAPTER 7: March — and one final chance at redemption
Bears Insider: Photographer’s notebook and the cutting room floor
Bears Insider: Unseen photos from Missouri State’s 2023-24 men’s basketball season
Riley Hesterly, a 5-foot-2 sixth man for Missouri State Bears basketball
Scranton: Randy Peele, Missouri State’s special assistant to the head coach, has a story worth telling
