On a team with so many newcomers that even the most enthusiastic Missouri State men’s basketball fan will need a scorecard, Donovan Clay is the exception.
The Bears’ lone returning starter and one of only three players back from last season will be easily identifiable on a roster with 14 new names.
Clay will be the guy doing everything but selling popcorn.
In addition to his “Swiss Army Knife” skill set established in his first season in the program, look for the 6-foot-8, 230-pound Clay to become a more aggressive force on the offensive end as the season tips off.
‘It's time to step up'
“That’s definitely something I’m going to need to do more, like I did at Valpo,” said Clay, who’s gone from being a newcomer himself a year ago to the Bears’ veteran centerpiece.
“It’s time to step up,” Clay said. “It’s time to be the best person I can be, offensively and defensively.”
Clay and the Bears begin the marathon journey toward March by playing host to Missouri S&T at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Great Southern Bank Arena. It’s almost like a totally new team with the infusion of transfers on the re-made roster that finds Dawson Carper and Raphe Ayres the only other returnees.
Missouri State defeated Newman University 78-58 in the team’s lone exhibition game. Bryan Trimble Jr., a graduate transfer from Akron, scored 20 points to lead the way, making six 3-pointers.
Big goals for this season
Clay, a preseason second-team all-Missouri Valley Conference selection from Alton, Illinois, displayed some of his offensive talents in a typical solid all-around game. He had 15 points and 10 rebounds with three assists and two steals in 25 minutes.
It was far from the best Clay can achieve offensively, as he made only two of seven shots from the field, but went 11-for-11 from the free-throw line. A year after deferring to Gaige Prim and Isaiah Mosely, Clay embraces added responsibility.
He’s even boldly stated that he wants to win not only Valley defensive player of the year honors but also league player of the year honors.
“I’m ready. It’s very attainable,” Clay said. “I just want to go full force and see what I can do.”
Clay a ‘positionless' player for the Bears
Coach Dana Ford doesn’t throw cold water on the idea. In fact, Ford is enthusiastic about Clay’s zest for excellence.
Enhancing Clay’s chances is his versatility to play anywhere on the floor, on either end. Clay is athletic enough to play on the perimeter and defend smaller opponents and big enough to be a force in the post area.
While Clay is quick to label himself a guard, Ford said it’s difficult to stamp him at one traditional position. “Positionless” is a word that seems to fit.
“He’s probably a wing, but we’ll play him all over the floor,” Ford said. “He’s spent some time being our third or fourth point guard during preseason. Hopefully, we never had to use him there, but if we do, we’re prepared for it.
“He’s also played with smaller guards and been the biggest player in the lineup. He’s a little bit of a positionless player. He’s started to attract some (NBA) scouts because of that. His defense is really good, he doesn’t have a true position and he’s got a great basketball IQ.”
Clay started all 34 games last season after transferring from Valparaiso, where he was a two-year starter. He averaged 8.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in his first season at Missouri State, making 53.7 percent of his field-goal attempts and 74.5 percent from the free-throw line.
A defensive standout
Exhibiting his defensive ability, Clay was third in the Valley in blocks per game. Almost without exception, he guarded the opponent’s best scorer.
“Whoever the best player is, I want to guard them and try to lock them down,” Clay said, adding that he’s comfortable defending in the post or on the perimeter.
“I try to be equally good,” he added. “I try to do it to the best of my ability. The only thing is getting over the screens of a guard. That’s probably harder than guarding a post player in the post.”
Can Clay grow his scoring?
The biggest question will be Clay’s ability to improve his scoring as the newcomers all around him evolve. Ford said it’s not just about shooting more.
“With Donny, the No. 1 stat you need to look at to determine if he’s playing well is defensive rebounds,” Ford said. “If he gets a defensive rebound, his No. 1 instinct is to take over.”
Clay said extra time in the gym during the offseason getting up shots has his confidence level at a new high. He’s ready to get the season going.
“I feel like last year I could have had the role of scorer, but I didn’t take it on because I wanted to do other things defensive-wise,” Clay said. “But I feel I can do both this year.”
Bears will be deep at guard
And he doesn’t have to feel the pressure of shouldering the load. Clay said transfers like Trimble, Matthew Lee and Kendle Moore give the Bears depth at guard that could take this team further than last year’s edition that fell in the Valley Tournament semifinals to Drake.
“Our guard play is really good,” Clay said. “We can spread the floor. I think that’s the biggest difference between this year and last year, just a lot more depth.
“The preseason has been good. We’ve been together since the summer and have bonded. There are young players and veterans who have been to the (NCAA) tournament. They’ve been leading, too.”
MSU will be a ‘work in progress' all year
Ford, 72-51 entering his fifth season at Missouri State, said he likes his team and the many different combinations he can put on the floor. He just asks for patience as the pieces come together.
“Our team will be a work in progress all year. Every team is,” Ford said. “We have to stay injury-free, stay disciplined and focused. Seasons are a journey. For us, we would like to peak right before March.”
Bears basketball nuggets
- Picked 4th in Valley: Missouri State is picked to finish behind Drake, Bradley and Southern Illinois in the new-look Missouri Valley Conference. Loyola departed the league after last season with Murray State, Belmont and Illinois-Chicago joining for a 12-team league.
- New look: After winning 23 games and reaching the National Invitation Tournament for the first time since 2011, the Bears have 14 newcomers, including seven Division I transfers.
- Newcomer to watch: Guard Bryan Trimble Jr., a graduate transfer from Akron, scored 20 in an exhibition game win over Newman. Trimble made six 3-pointers.
- First three: Missouri State opens at home on Wednesday night vs. Missouri S&T, goes to BYU on Nov. 16 and plays at home Nov. 19 against Middle Tennessee State.
- League opener: The Bears visit Valley newcomer Illinois-Chicago on Nov. 30 before playing host to Bradley on Dec. 3 at Great Southern Bank Arena.
- Playing the favorite: Drake and the Bears ring in the new year with a Jan. 1 game at Great Southern Bank Arena. Missouri State goes to Drake on Jan. 18.
