Missouri State hoops: Former Kickapoo star Jared Ridder is a breakout candidate for Bears

Missouri State opens its 2019-20 men's basketball season at JQH Arena, and we're counting down the 10 most important Bears heading into Nov. 5's tipoff.

We'll have a story out each day leading to opening night. At No. 10 in our countdown, we broke down Kabir Mohammed and what he'll bring to the Bears. We continue with No. 9 — a hometown favorite.

No. 9: Jared Ridder

Jared Ridder wears the No. 34 because he remembers going to Missouri State games as a kid to watch No. 34 Kyle Weems.

It's a number he wore in high school, and it's a number he wears now.

Ridder also remembers the excitement around the program and the energy at JQH Arena. It's something he wanted to bring back to his hometown when he…