Springfield Standard

Missouri State University’s men’s basketball team will open its season against the Missouri Southern Lions on Tuesday, November 4, at 7:02 p.m. at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield. Both teams enter the game with a 0-0 record.

Tickets for the event are available through the arena’s box office and online, with a special offer providing four tickets for $48. The first ten students to arrive will receive a free hot dog. Gates will open at 6:00 p.m., and fans can access a digital program.

The game will be broadcast on KWTO radio (FM 93.3/AM 560) with Corey Riggs and Mike Keltner calling the action, and also streamed live on ESPN+ featuring Tom Ladd and Jim Middleton.

Missouri State leads the all-time series against Missouri Southern, 3-0. Their most recent matchup was last season’s home opener, which Missouri State won 90-61.

The Bears begin their 114th basketball season and their first as part of Conference USA. Since joining NCAA Division I in 1982-83, they have achieved a record of 40-3 in home openers and have won their last three such games. Last year, Michael Osei-Bonsu led the Missouri Valley Conference in offensive rebounds per game and ranked second overall in total rebounds. Zaxton King started all games as a freshman last season, scoring 284 points with 57 three-pointers—ranking him tenth among MSU freshmen for points and third for three-pointers made.

Kobi Williams made an impact during an exhibition win over Maryville University by scoring a game-high 30 points, including seven three-pointers.

Head coach Cuonzo Martin returned to lead Missouri State this year after previously coaching the team from 2008 to 2011. "After an extensive national search, Missouri State University announced Cuonzo Martin as its men's basketball head coach on March 27, 2024. The man who orchestrated Missouri State's only MVC regular-season championship run during his first tenure in Springfield originally coached at Missouri State from 2008 to 2011."

Martin has compiled a career record of 273-221 over sixteen seasons as a Division I head coach at several programs including MSU, Tennessee, California, and Missouri. His teams have reached nine postseason tournaments during that span.

He is joined by players such as sophomore Tyrique Brooks—who transferred from Missouri Southern where he averaged over thirteen points per game last season—and senior transfer Keith Palek III from California University (Pa.), who contributed thirteen points in Friday’s exhibition match against Maryville.

Last season's performance by MSU included fourteen single-digit losses despite a final record of nine wins and twenty-three losses.

Missouri Southern’s head coach Sam McMahon spent four years on the MSU staff before leading the Lions into his fourth year as head coach.

Accessibility accommodations are available for attendees with disabilities by contacting the university’s Deputy Compliance Officer.