Inductees

The Bears enjoyed a magical season in 1998-99, advancing all the way to the NCAA Sweet 16, finally falling to the Number 1 team in the nation. SMS had a solid, veteran team that season with Kevin Ault and William Fontleroy in the backcourt, 6-11 Danny Moore in the pivot, Ron Bruton and Ken Stringer, and super-sub Allen Phillips as the swingman.

The Steve Alford-led Bears showed early in the season they would be a force to contend with as they pulled off a 72-69 upset win over the University of Missouri Tigers. The team played well through most of the remaining season, finishing with an tied for second in the Missouri Valley Conference with an 11-7 record. During Arch Madness – the MVC’s postseason tournament – SMS finished second, earning them an at-large berth in the NCAA tournament.  They were a 12th seed, scheduled to play Wisconsin in the first round.

A tough, defensive struggle saw SMS prevail over Wisconsin 43-32.  The Bears followed that with their best effort of the season, waxing fourth-seeded Tennessee 81-51. The next opponent was simply too tough as number one-seeded Duke posted a 78-61 win.