Missouri Defeats Kansas State in Basketball Exhibition
The Tigers secured a four-point victory over Kansas State after a strong second-half performance.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Basketball
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The University of Missouri men's basketball team defeated Kansas State 71-67 in an exhibition game. Jason Crowe Jr. led the way for the Tigers with 21 points in the contest.
Why it matters
This exhibition victory allows the program to test rotations and tactical adjustments ahead of the upcoming regular season. Establishing momentum against a tough opponent provides a baseline for the team as they prepare for non-conference play.
Missouri shot 23-of-65 from the field and won the rebounding battle 42-36. The team also successfully forced 16 turnovers during the game.
The players
Jason Crowe Jr.
He is a standout basketball player for the University of Missouri who led his team in scoring during this exhibition.
Trent Pierce
He is a key contributor for the University of Missouri men's basketball team who added 10 points in the game.
The details
A decisive 13-0 run to open the second half shifted the momentum in favor of Missouri. Jason Crowe Jr. later sealed the result by converting two free throws with just five seconds remaining.
Timeline
October 24, 2026: Missouri defeated Kansas State 71-67.
October 29, 2026: Missouri plays an exhibition game at UNLV.
November 3, 2026: Missouri hosts Cleveland State.
Season Trajectory
This victory builds necessary confidence for the roster as they transition from preseason exhibition play to official conference and non-conference competition. The team must now sustain this defensive intensity and turnover margin to remain competitive in a challenging non-conference schedule.
Missouri successfully forced 16 turnovers, a defensive metric that will be critical for their performance against Cleveland State. Fans should monitor whether this turnover efficiency translates to the upcoming regular season rotation.
The takeaway
Exhibition games serve as vital opportunities for coaching staffs to evaluate player performance under pressure before official games begin. Fans should look for how these individual contributions, such as Crowe Jr.'s scoring, stabilize as the competition increases in November.
What happens next
Missouri will play an exhibition game at UNLV on October 29, 2026, followed by their home opener against Cleveland State on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the upcoming schedule, visit the Basketball page.
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Do exhibition game outcomes accurately predict a college basketball team's performance during the regular season?
