Hinson led the Bears to another NIT appearance. Along the way, the Bears upset #23 Southern Illinois, the Missouri Valley regular season champion, in the conference tournament semifinal game. The victory over the Salukis marked the second consecutive year in which SMS/MSU defeated SIU in the conference tourney semifinals. Hinson's Bears lost to Creighton in the finals, but their 18-12 record earned themselves an NIT bid. Hinson led Missouri State to victory over Rice University in the NIT opener, but succumbed to Davidson in the second round.