The Missouri Valley Conference held their annual Basketball media day on Tuesday in St. Louis. The SMS men’s’ basketball team was picked fourth by the media and coaches in their pre-season poll. The Bears will have four starters returning and six freshmen. All six of the freshmen are Missouri natives and its been tabbed by many as the best recruiting class at SMS in years. The SMS Lady Bears come into the season picked first in the Missouri Valley Conference. Like the men, they return four starters from last season. Last year the Lady Bears advanced to the NCAA Tournament by winning the MVC Tournament, becoming the first four-seed to win it. Sophomore Kari Koch was named to the conference pre-season first team.