The Southwest Missouri State mens basketball team is looked at as a middle-of-the-road squad in the Missouri Valley Conference this season. Barry Hinson’s crew has been picked fifth in the MVC preseaon poll, they did receive a first-place vote. The Bears went 13-16 last season, losing in the first round of the conference tournament. Nine letterwinners are back for the Bears this year. SMS opens the regular season on Friday, November 16th at the University of North Texas.
