(Maryville, Missouri) Before Officials nixed the NCAA Tournaments due to preventative measures against COVID-19, the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats men’s basketball teams were poised to make history. The Bearcats, (135-6) over the past four years were set-up to break the most wins in a four-year stretch. The defending National Champions needed only two wins to break the record which currently stands at 136.
Ryan Hawkins, former Atlantic High School standout and Northwest Missouri State star will never forget the day; those dreams were swept away, at least for now. The team was an hour into practice when the Regional Director walked into the gym.
Hawkins says there were a lot of emotions in the locker room following the news.
It’s remarkable to think about a basketball team with a four-year record, of 135-6. And most impressive is four of those losses came during one season.
But, Hawkins is quick to mention, it’s all about the level of practice that makes the difference between wins and losses.
Despite, the absence of post-season play, this team cannot forget about the journey. On March 30, 2019, at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana, the Bearcats finished the season a perfect 38-0, after defeating Point Loma Nazarene University 64-58 for the NCAA Division II National Title. They became only the fifth program in history to complete a perfect season, and win the National Title. This group didn’t rest on their laurels; they came firing back this past season and ended up with only one blemish on their schedule. Hawkins reflects back on the journey…
Ryan Hawkins had an incredible year. The junior was named 1st Team All-MIAA Conference, 2nd Team All-Region, and was named the MIAA Conference defensive player of the year for the second consecutive season. Hawkins led the Bearcats in scoring, (22.7) points per game, in rebounding, (7.4), per contest, in steals with (2.1), per game, and in blocks with 0.8.
Hawkins vows this team will come back with the same amount of enthusiasm next season.
