It’s a tale of two seasons right now for Missouri State University Athletics. 🐻 

One team is swinging hot bats and flipping expectations. The other is stuck in a stretch that feels almost impossible to explain. Bears insider Corey Riggs joined The Starting Lineup to break it all down.

🎙️ Listen to the complete breakdown with Corey here:

🏀 Men’s Basketball: So Close It Hurts

The Bears have dropped seven straight. Six of those losses? Five points or fewer.

In a parity-heavy Conference USA, Missouri State has been competitive every night, but finishing has been the problem. There’s talent on this roster. Preparation isn’t the issue. Effort isn’t the issue. As Corey put it, it’s “abject frustration.”

Now, with the Conference USA Tournament in Huntsville looming, the Bears likely land in the 9 or 10 seed range. The opportunity is still there, but the margin for error is gone.

⚾ Baseball: A Different Story Entirely

Meanwhile, under Coach Joey Hawkins, Missouri State baseball is doing something fans aren’t used to seeing in February: Raking.

This isn’t a one-player show. The depth throughout the lineup has been the difference,  guys capitalizing on opportunities and producing “monster numbers” early. Instead of digging out of an early hole, the Bears are building momentum heading into conference play. And that changes expectations.

There’s much more in the full segment including:

• A deeper look at the tournament format in Huntsville
• The wild tie-breaker scenarios in CUSA
• Why this baseball surge feels sustainable
• And a well-earned celebration of Missouri State’s MVC champion swim team

If you care about where Bears athletics is headed next, this is a must-listen.