Wednesday, 15 May 2024

Missouri State parts ways with Coach Lusk — The Basketball Movement

The news broke recently that Missouri State University (MSU) has decided to part ways with Head Coach Paul Lusk. It was a disappointing season for the MSU Bears men’s basketball team, and contract negotiations had already hinted at the impending separation.

Lusk, who previously coached at Purdue, helmed the Bears for seven seasons. In his first year, the team finished 3rd in the conference, which turned out to be their highest ranking under his leadership. Overall, Lusk’s record stands at 105-121, and now the university has chosen to eat the salary for his final contract year and embark on a search for a new head coach.

MSU President Clif Smart emphasized the importance of a successful men’s basketball program for revenue purposes, explaining the necessity for a new direction.

Despite having a talented roster this year, including standout senior Alize Johnson (who made the 1st team all Missouri Valley Conference), the Bears fell short of expectations in conference play. They finished the season with an 18-15 record, going 7-11 in conference games. Although they started the Missouri Valley Conference tournament with a win against Valparaiso, they couldn’t advance past the first round, losing to Southern Illinois. The championship game eventually saw Loyola (CHI) emerge as the victor.

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With Johnson and Lusk no longer with the team, the Bears will have a different look next season. The hope is to establish a winning culture and replicate the success of powerhouse teams like Wichita State.

As March Madness approaches, stay tuned to The Basketball Movement and follow us on Twitter @BBall_Movement for the latest news in the world of basketball.

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