Drew Richards has mononucleosis and Shane Laurie is out with a concussion.
Already dealing with the aftermath of an emotional home-court loss to Creighton, Missouri State's basketball team got a one-two punch of adversity on Monday.
Two starters, center Drew Richards and guard Shane Laurie, won't play tonight when the Bears play host to Wichita State.
Richards has mononucleosis and is expected to miss at least two weeks; Laurie has a concussion and is game-to-game.
How much worse can it get for a team that is already reeling?
Guard Spencer Laurie, who moves back into the lineup in his brother's place, said the Bears cannot view it that way.
"They are definitely two guys that help the team a lot," Spencer Laurie said. "But if they're not playing, we need to focus on ... winning with the guys we do have.
"I think we're focused and ready to go, even though they are not playing."
Tipoff is 6 p.m. in the nationally televised (ESPN2) game that basically carries must-win status if MSU fancies itself a Missouri Valley Conference contender.
"We just have to go play," coach Barry Hinson said. "Injuries are part of basketball and we'll deal with it.
"And this team will deal with this situation well, I can assure you."
Wichita State has injury issues of its own. Senior point guard Matt Braeuer is out indefinitely after suffering his fourth concussion on Dec. 29.
But after dropping their first two league games at home, the Shockers bounced back to win at Bradley on Saturday.
Impressive, Hinson said, and a good example that teams shouldn't feel sorry for themselves when shorthanded.
"You can definitely rally around each other and play for those guys who aren't playing, as well as for the guys who are playing," Spencer Laurie said.
Both Richards and Shane Laurie played with symptoms in two games last week. Richards said he felt tired and Laurie had headaches and some dizziness.
Laurie was hit in the face Dec. 30 at Southern Illinois and again in practice a couple of days later.
"We appreciate toughness," Hinson said, "but I told the team today that when it comes to head injuries or unusual fatigue ... come to us and tell us.
"That does help explain why those two struggled of late."
Dex Manswell likely will make his first career start at center. The Bears also could use a small lineup extensively.
Manswell said his confidence is high after some recent good performances off the bench.
"I've been getting more aggressive on the offensive end and I want to continue on that path," he said.
"I don't look at this as an opportunity for myself but rather an opportunity to help the team any way I can."
Manswell said that the five seniors talked before practice Monday about how fast the clock is moving on their careers.
Tonight is game 16, halfway to the 32 games the Bears are guaranteed to play (31 regular season, one MVC Tournament).
"It's like a wake-up call," he said. "Only 16 games left. Pretty soon I'll be saying, 'I used to play for Missouri State.' "
Bears notes
- Shooting has been the biggest problem for WSU under first-year coach Greg Marshall. The Shockers are hitting 41.3 percent as a team, but shot 64 percent while defeating Bradley 80-73 on Saturday.
Already dealing with the aftermath of an emotional home-court loss to Creighton, Missouri State's basketball team got a one-two punch of adversity on Monday.
Two starters, center Drew Richards and guard Shane Laurie, won't play tonight when the Bears play host to Wichita State.
Richards has mononucleosis and is expected to miss at least two weeks; Laurie has a concussion and is game-to-game.
How much worse can it get for a team that is already reeling?
Guard Spencer Laurie, who moves back into the lineup in his brother's place, said the Bears cannot view it that way.
"They are definitely two guys that help the team a lot," Spencer Laurie said. "But if they're not playing, we need to focus on ... winning with the guys we do have.
"I think we're focused and ready to go, even though they are not playing."
Tipoff is 6 p.m. in the nationally televised (ESPN2) game that basically carries must-win status if MSU fancies itself a Missouri Valley Conference contender.
"We just have to go play," coach Barry Hinson said. "Injuries are part of basketball and we'll deal with it.
"And this team will deal with this situation well, I can assure you."
Wichita State has injury issues of its own. Senior point guard Matt Braeuer is out indefinitely after suffering his fourth concussion on Dec. 29.
But after dropping their first two league games at home, the Shockers bounced back to win at Bradley on Saturday.
Impressive, Hinson said, and a good example that teams shouldn't feel sorry for themselves when shorthanded.
"You can definitely rally around each other and play for those guys who aren't playing, as well as for the guys who are playing," Spencer Laurie said.
Both Richards and Shane Laurie played with symptoms in two games last week. Richards said he felt tired and Laurie had headaches and some dizziness.
Laurie was hit in the face Dec. 30 at Southern Illinois and again in practice a couple of days later.
"We appreciate toughness," Hinson said, "but I told the team today that when it comes to head injuries or unusual fatigue ... come to us and tell us.
"That does help explain why those two struggled of late."
Dex Manswell likely will make his first career start at center. The Bears also could use a small lineup extensively.
Manswell said his confidence is high after some recent good performances off the bench.
"I've been getting more aggressive on the offensive end and I want to continue on that path," he said.
"I don't look at this as an opportunity for myself but rather an opportunity to help the team any way I can."
Manswell said that the five seniors talked before practice Monday about how fast the clock is moving on their careers.
Tonight is game 16, halfway to the 32 games the Bears are guaranteed to play (31 regular season, one MVC Tournament).
"It's like a wake-up call," he said. "Only 16 games left. Pretty soon I'll be saying, 'I used to play for Missouri State.' "
Bears notes
- Shooting has been the biggest problem for WSU under first-year coach Greg Marshall. The Shockers are hitting 41.3 percent as a team, but shot 64 percent while defeating Bradley 80-73 on Saturday.
