Dana Ford teases starters, breakouts heading into 2023-24 Missouri State basketball season

Another day, another basketball media day for Missouri State basketball as it held its annual in-house event on Thursday afternoon at Great Southern Bank Arena.

Missouri State head coach Dana Ford kicked off his sixth media day while addressing the continuity on the roster in addition to teasing a starting rotation and players who are set up for success in 2023-24. A fancy new HD video board hung above the court as players shared their thoughts for the upcoming year.

The day ended with a fun surprise for one of the Ozarks' favorite local players from previous years. It will also have an impact on the Bears' roster heading into the season and perhaps further.

Here are some news items from Ford's availability. We'll have a lot more coverage with players leading up to opening night.

Basketball is near. Here's what Missouri State, Dana Ford said during MVC Media Day

Dana Ford teased a starting five for this season

Ford took a moment before opening up his press conference for questions to address MSU play-by-play man Art Hains as he returned to Great Southern Bank Arena. Hains missed the entirety of the last basketball season during his battle with West Nile virus.

"We should not take for granted to have you back," Ford said. "Love you."

"Love you too," Hains replied. "So do you have a starting five?"

Laughter followed and Ford answered that the Bears have seven different players who are in the mix to start come opening night. The list includes regulars from last year, one returning from injury and a Power 5 transfer.

Matthew Lee, Alston Mason, Chance Moore, Donovan Clay and N.J. Benson would have been the starting five if a game took place on Thursday night, Ford said.

Damien Mayo Jr. is one who could start in place of Lee throughout the year, as Lee eases his way back in after tearing his ACL, and Xavier transfer Cesare Edwards could start in place of Benson some nights. The seven are thought of as the seven who will play the bulk of the minutes at least early in the season.

"We feel like we have seven starters," Ford said. "I don't think there are many surprises."

Is Chance Moore going to be the guy for Missouri State this season?

Missouri State has teased on its social media channels that NBA scouts have been in and out of Great Southern Bank Arena this offseason. Ford downplayed it saying it was a routine thing scouts do to try and find a player that not many are thinking about.

When you think about those who could be getting looks, your mind would go to Clay (whom Ford teased last season) along with Moore.

Moore might be the guy for Missouri State this season.

More: Something to know about each MVC team heading into the 2023-24 men's basketball season

The 6-foot-6 junior guard is in as good of a position as anyone in the league to have a breakout season this year. After three starts last season, he appears destined to be an everyday starter. He scored double-figures 17 times last season while leading the team in scoring 11 times and rebounding six times.

"Chance, in my opinion, is definitely a go-to caliber player if we want to be better than what we are projected to be," Ford said. "He's definitely taken some steps in regards to his approach to defense and approach to doing what we ask. We're counting on him to be that kind of go-to player for sure."

Tyler Bey has been a favorite newcomer among players. What does Ford think?

No matter which player you ask, their eyes light up when Bey's name gets brought up as someone who will make an impact as a true freshman.

Bey is coming off a prep season with the Overtime Elite program in Atlanta where he was a four-star prospect. The 6-foot-8, 185-pound guard is touted as one with a pretty stroke from the outside. The length is going to allow him to be a solid scorer when he gets on the floor.

But if you know Ford, the offense can be there but he's going to expect more defensively if they're going to have a big role on the team.

"Everyone loves a scorer and Tyler can score," Ford said. "That's why his teammates like him. I want to love him and I love defense. Tyler's got to get going on the defensive end but he's talented. he makes the game look easy. Potentially, by the end of his career, he can play one through four."

Ford complimented Bey's ball-handling, shot and passing. He made sure to note Bey was just a freshman and that he needed to further improve how much he values practicing. Ford said he hopes Bey can be an impactful player around the time conference play begins.

Tommy Pinegar was surprised with the team's final scholarship

When Ford's media availability concluded, the coach had his team standing in the back of the room. Ford teased that he was putting the Bears through media training.

Ford called former Greenwood standout Tommy Pinegar to take the podium and address the media. Ford sat with media members and asked him several questions.

Ford finished with, "How would you feel if I gave you a scholarship this year?" before throwing down a folder on the table. The team ran to the front of the room and celebrated with the local standout.

The scholarship was the one left behind by Dalen Ridgnal when he entered the transfer portal and wound up at Wichita State. Ford teased at Tuesday's Missouri Valley Conference media day that he could probably use the scholarship during the season if someone was to come available, but it turned out to be a smokescreen for Pinegar's surprise two days later.

Pinegar is coming off a redshirt season. He finished seventh in state history with 322 made 3-pointers during his career at Greenwood. The Pinegars have been well-known Missouri State supporters for decades. He is the son of Pinegar Chevrolet General Manager Tad Pinegar and grandson of the late Pinegar founder Ed Pinegar.

Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, by email at wwheeler@news-leader.com or X at @WyattWheeler_NL. He's also the host of the weekly "Wyatt's World Podcast" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcasting platforms

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State basketball media day: Ford teases starters, breakouts