Missouri State Basketball Began Official Practice
The Bears opened their first official training session at Great Southern Bank Arena this week.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
Do you prefer when your local college team maintains a consistent roster over several seasons?
Missouri State men's basketball held its first official practice on September 22, 2026, at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield. The team enters the season with a roster consisting of 12 new players and three returning athletes.
Why it matters
The program is working to integrate a large group of newcomers into its system following a previous season that saw the team reach the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament. Coach staff are currently utilizing a teaching-focused approach to acclimate the new roster.
Missouri State finished the prior season with a 16-18 record. Returning player Trey Williams averaged 9.7 points over 29.6 minutes per game while shooting 40% from the 3-point line.
The players
Missouri State men's basketball
This is the collegiate athletic program representing the university in Springfield.
Trey Williams
He is a returning player who recorded significant minutes and perimeter shooting efficiency last season.
Lincoln University
This institution is the opponent scheduled for Missouri State's first game of the season.
The details
The team took to the court at Great Southern Bank Arena to initiate its official training cycle. The coaching staff is prioritizing a teaching-first integration strategy to blend the large influx of new talent with the core of returning veterans.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: The first official basketball practice was held.
October 3, 2026: The team will host an open practice at noon.
November 3, 2026: The season opens with a game against Lincoln University.
Season Trajectory
The team aims to build upon its appearance in the 2026 Conference USA Tournament semifinals to improve its overall standing. Integrating 12 new players will be critical to maintaining the competitive balance established during the previous 16-18 campaign.
Fans can view the new roster in action during the open practice scheduled for early October. The team will officially test its new lineup structure during the first game against Lincoln University on November 3.
The takeaway
The heavy roster turnover presents a significant challenge for the coaching staff during these early weeks of training. Success will likely hinge on how quickly the 12 newcomers adapt to the system before the November opener.
What happens next
The team will host an open practice for the public on October 3, 2026, at noon, followed by their season-opening game against Lincoln University on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more news on local college athletics, visit Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Springfield News-Leader.
Live Poll
Do you prefer when your local college team maintains a consistent roster over several seasons?
