When it comes to the rise and fall of a men’s basketball program in the Missouri Valley Conference, the date Feb. 26, 2011, is as good a place as any to start.
On that Saturday afternoon, Missouri State fans stormed the court after the Bears defeated Wichita State to clinch the regular-season championship in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The Shockers were in the middle of a resurgence, in the fourth season under coach Gregg Marshall. The Bears appeared poised to join them for some epic battles in the conference, with coach Cuonzo Martin in his third season.