The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats men’s basketball team was poised to make a run at back-to-back National Championships before the NCAA Division II Tournament was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Atlantic alum Ryan Hawkins was helping to lead the charge. Hawkins averaged 22.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 2.1 steals. and 0.8 blocks per game this season. The Bearcats were 31-1 on the year and Hawkins said the team had a great attitude.

Hawkins said the team was at practice getting ready to host the NCAA Regional when they got the news that the tournament was cancelled.

Hawkins said he really feels for the seniors that lost out on their chance to compete in the tournament.

Ryan won the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year honor for the 2nd straight season and was a finalist for the Bevo Francis Award that honors the top small college basketball player in the country. He feels like the comfort level his teammates have developed with each other has allowed him to be a better player.

Hawkins will head into his Senior season with the Bearcats and hopes to earn another chance at competing for another National Championship.