Online basketball betting has seen the Missouri State Bears compete for the top spot in the Missouri Valley Conference in recent years and just fall short. That trend may continue in 2007-2008 according to basketball betting experts since the Bears lost their three best players from last season. Online basketball betting experts see that not all is lost for Missouri State this season. Coach Barry Hinson has some talent but it is unlikely it is enough to win the conference without some help. Basketball betting experts know that losing Blake Ahearn, Tyler Chaney and Nathan Bilyeu will hurt.
The key for the Bears will be the JC transfers. Wade Knapp is a 6-8 power forward, will help the offense right away according to online basketball betting experts. 6-4 wing Chris Cooks should get a lot of playing time as well according to online basketball betting experts. Redshirt freshman Ryan Jehle might contribute as well according to experts that look at basketball betting. Incoming freshman David Cline and small forward Kyle Weems provide depth according to online basketball betting Missouri State Bears experts. The perimeter gets a couple players to provide depth in Lamont Austin and Tomas Brock.
Spencer Laurie averaged 5.9 points per game last year according to online basketball betting stats. He started all 33 games for the Bears after spending two seasons at Missouri according to online basketball betting stats. Shane Laurie could start along side his brother. He only averaged 3.2 points per game a year ago according to basketball betting stats. Dale Lamberth came off the bench last year according to online basketball betting stats but may start this year. Deven Mitchell is the starter who may blossom according to experts that look at online basketball betting. He averaged 10.8 points and 5 rebounds last year according to online basketball betting stats. Drew Richards is the big guy in the middle that should play well. He will need some support from the newcomers according to online basketball betting experts.Online basketball betting experts see a starting lineup of Spencer Laurie, and Chris Cooks at the guards, Dale Lamberth and Deven Mitchell at the forwards and Drew Richards in the middle. Missouri State probably doesn’t have the talent necessary to win the conference or match last year’s record but they can definitely compete and anything can happen in the MVC Tournament.