Hinson inherited a Bears program that had been to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 the previous season and featured five seniors, out of seven returnees overall, who were part of that successful squadron. After an 11–4 start out of the gate, the Bears stumbled, losing five of their next six games. However, beginning midway through February 2000, Hinson's team won their final eight regular season contests and fell just short of forcing a tie for the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title. The Bears continued their hot streak, claiming victory in their first two games of the MVC tournament, a streak halted only by a loss in the tourney final.