Hinson on the way out?
Reality has hit Missouri State University men’s basketball coach Barry Hinson that this could be the end of his time at the helm of the program - a possibility that becomes stronger with each defeat.
The decibel of discontent about the Bears basketball program is rising in the community, and Hinson knows it. His team is 11-12 overall and 4-7 in the Missouri Valley Conference this season.
Here are a few stats compiled by Bears fans @ Bear Nation in support of removing Hinson from his position:
Record against conference NCAA Tournament teams:
2006-7 (SIU, CU): 0-5
2005-6 (WSU, SIU, UNI, BU): 3-6
2004-5 (CU, UNI, SIU): 3-3
2003-4 (SIU, UNI): 2-4
2002-3 (CU, SIU): 0-5
Total after five years: 8-26
Hinson took over a program that had (under the previous coach) had finished 4th, 2nd, 3rd, and 2nd in the Valley, with one NIT and one NCAA Sweet 16.
7 NCAA’s and 5 NIT’s before Hinson, and 0 NCAA’s and 4 NIT’s in the 8 years Hinson has been at the helm. (9 this year and going nowhere barring an absolute miracle)
6 of the 10 Valley teams have been ranked the last 3 years … not MO ST
If Drake and IL State make the NCAA that will be 8 of 10 teams in the Valley that have made the NCAA since Barry became coach … University of Evansville and Missouri State the only two teams out.
7 of the 9 Valley teams have beaten us at home during the Hinson era.
Do what you will, think what you will with these stats. The fact that sentiment for and success of the program has decidedly declined over the past nine years should be the driving factor in Hinson’s departure.
When was the last time the Bears were difference-makers on a national level? Granted two seasons ago the Bears were admittedly snubbed by the NCAA selection committee when they garnered an RPI of 21. That said, they also didn’t display a spark of aggressiveness throughout the season that, if present, would have pushed them into the Top 25 Polls, possibly won a Valley championship, and possibly found a berth in the Big Dance.
However, that has been the one shinny nugget of Hinson’s tenure and run at a post season appearance … and that tarnished quickly.
Sure there have been NIT appearances, but seriously, the NIT is like a tournament of the annual B-teams - or the Fun Run for those not good enough to make the big times.
Nine years of lowered expectations equals time to move along … and in Hinson’s case, move down.
