Springfield Standard

Missouri State University's men's basketball team has announced its finalized non-conference schedule for the 2025-26 season. Head coach Cuonzo Martin confirmed that the Bears will play 11 non-conference games in November and December, with eight of those contests taking place at home. The slate also includes a preseason exhibition game against Maryville University on October 31.

The Bears will open their regular season with three consecutive home games against Missouri Southern (November 4), Northwestern Oklahoma (November 8), and Arkansas State (November 11). Arkansas State is returning after a strong previous season, finishing as Sun Belt co-champions and advancing to the second round of the NIT. This marks Arkansas State's first visit to Springfield since 2019.

Following these home games, Missouri State will travel to UT Arlington on November 15 before hosting UTRGV (November 22), Long Island (November 24), and Northeastern State (November 30) at Great Southern Bank Arena. The matchups with UTRGV and Long Island are part of a multi-team event collaboration involving Illinois.

In December, the Bears will play four non-conference games. They begin with an away game at Tulsa on December 6, which follows last year's triple-overtime meeting between the two teams in Springfield. On December 12, Missouri State visits Xavier University in Cincinnati; Xavier finished last season with a record of 22-12 and reached the NCAA tournament, defeating Texas before losing to Illinois.

The final two non-conference games are scheduled at home: Oral Roberts on December 16 and Lindenwood on December 23. This continues recent annual meetings between Missouri State and both opponents.

Missouri State's Conference USA schedule was released earlier this summer. The Bears start league play at Delaware on December 29 before their CUSA home opener against UTEP on January 2.

"Coach Cuonzo Martin's Bears are poised to break through this winter as Martin begins his second season back at the helm of the Missouri State program," according to university officials. "He returns starters Michael Osei-Bonsu and Zaxton King to the fold along with fellow veteran Logan Epes. The Bears welcome 11 newcomers to campus for what is shaping up to be a renaissance campaign for the proud Missouri State men's program."

Season tickets for all home games are now available for purchase online, by phone at (417) 836-7678, or directly from the box office during regular hours at Great Southern Bank Arena. Details regarding single-game ticket sales and game times will be provided later.

The full schedule includes both non-conference matchups and Conference USA contests leading up to the conference championship tournament in March in Huntsville, Alabama.