Missouri State lands Big 12 grad-transfer

[Da Coach]

West Virginia transfer Lamont West has verbally committed to Missouri State and head coach Dana Ford.
Lamont West is a redshirt junior, but is likely to graduate and will likely be a grad transfer and be eligible to play his final year next season for Missouri State.
He is a 6'8", 222 lb. forward from Cincinnati. He started 20 of their 36 games this past season, and averaged 11.1 ppg and 4.1 rpg.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/stats/_/id/3913555/lamont-west

So it looks like Dana Ford is intent on trying to fill his entire roster with transfers from other schools.

West Virginia finished dead last this season in the Big 12 with an overall record of 15-21, and 4-14 in the Big 12. They were invited to the CBI despite their record of 14-20 at the end of the regular season. They went 1-1 in the CBI despite playing both games at home. They beat Grand Canyon then got blown out by Coastal Carolina.

[tornado]

expect some more news from Missouri State because this puts them oversigned by two
Lamont West shoots 37.9%, a bit low for a guy who takes so many shots close to the basket..
and he plays the same position (power forward) as Tulio Da Silva and their new juco guy coming in (Prim)

..so either one of the guys who doesn't play much (Fofana, Szymon, Scott) or maybe Da Silva is leaving as was rumored?

[egib52]

Good get for MSU.

[Mikovio]

Missouri State is kind of a sleeping giant IMO. Largest enrollment and endowment of the MVC publics, JQH is a great arena. I was a bit surprised they didn't come out in more force for Arch Madness though. If they start contending for titles their fan support will be there IMO.

MSU loses Webster, Kreklow and Dixon. All 3 were starters but only Dixon will be tough to replace.

Other transfers are Gaige Prim (PF ranked #5 by Jucorecruiting), PF LaMont West who started at WV and averaged double figures, PG Tyrik Dixon from Middle Tennessee and SF Josh Hall from Nevada. Dixon and Hall didn't have eye popping numbers but Hall had a good NCAA Tournament and Dixon was all CUSA defensive team. Then they have four freshmen, only one of which had more than an offer to Tulsa-- 4 star SF Isiaih Mosley who had an offer from Mizzou. First they signed two of his HS teammates, neither of which had any other D1 offers, and Mosley finally committed last week. Like when the White Sox signed Manny Machado's childhood friends and brother in law, but in this case they actually landed their big fish. Also makes you think of when Drake spent two scholarships and hired their Juco coach to land one of the Murphy's. But talent is talent and the most your rotation is going to extend to is 10. Here the gamble might have paid off big time.

Even if Da Silva leaves they're going to be title contenders IMO. And if he stays we'll have our hands full.

[tornado]

....only Dixon will be tough to replace....

Webster wasn't a great scorer- just 8 ppg, but
he had 164 assists to just 54 turnovers! Webster's 5.1 apg and 3+ A/T Ratio are the best for any MVC player over the past 4 seasons.
They may miss his production the most.

[tornado]

expect some more news from Missouri State because this puts them oversigned by two
..so either one of the guys who doesn't play much .... Szymon, ... is leaving

indeed - Szymon Wojcik is leaving Missouri State & transferring...
his twin brother, Jan Wojcik - no word at this time...

https://247sports.com/Season/2019-Basketball/TransferPortal/

[tornado]

24/7 Sports now lists Szymon Wojcik as transferring
https://247sports.com/Season/2019-Ba...ransferPortal/

Their beat guy says that still leaves them oversigned by two - so expect more roster movement

https://www.news-leader.com/story/sports/college/msu/2018/08/01/missouri-state-mens-basketball-recruiting-what-you-need-know/799812002/

[tornado]

24/7 Sports now lists Szymon Wojcik as transferring
https://247sports.com/Season/2019-Ba...ransferPortal/

Their beat guy says that still leaves them oversigned by two - so expect more roster movement
https://www.news-leader.com/story/sp...now/799812002/

as expected - twin brother Jan Wojcik also is leaving Missouri State and transferring

[tornado]

......or maybe Da Silva is leaving as was rumored?

.....Tulio Da Silva is going to put his name in the NBA Draft - but not hire an agent - https://twitter.com/WyattWheeler_NL/...16142529998848

Maybe this is how they solve the problem of being oversigned - maybe they know he is not returning or will head somewhere else anyway even if he withdraws from the draft?

[tornado]

.....Tulio Da Silva is going to put his name in the NBA Draft - but not hire an agent - ..

as most expected, Tulio Da Silva has withdrawn from the NBA Draft and will return to Missouri State