DALLAS — Conference USA released its 2026-27 men’s basketball conference slate on Thursday (July 9) with Missouri State geared up for its second season in the 10-team league. This year’s CUSA schedule will include 18 Thursday and Saturday games with home-and-home contests against every league member.
All told, the Bears will have four conference home games at Great Southern Bank Arena in January, three in February and two in March. Mo State’s CUSA opener will be Thursday, Dec. 31 at Sam Houston. The league home opener will be on Thursday, Jan. 7.
After the New Year’s Eve opener in Texas, coach Cuonzo Martin‘s squad will play eight games in the month of January, including a Jan. 2 swing at New Mexico State. The Bears will entertain Delaware (Jan. 7) and Liberty (Jan. 9) for the first time ever when both clubs visit Great Southern Bank Arena on an exciting home-opening weekend. Mo State later embarks on a season-long three-game road swing at FIU (Jan. 16), Western Kentucky (Jan. 21) and Middle Tennessee (Jan. 23) before returning home at the end of the month with matchups against Kennesaw State (Jan. 28) and Jacksonville State (Jan. 30).
The Bears will play seven games in February, starting with a trip to Liberty (Feb. 4) and Delaware (Feb. 6). A three-game home stand follows with contests against FIU (Feb. 13), Middle Tennessee (Feb. 18) and WKU (Feb. 20). The month concludes with a southern swing through Kennesaw State (Feb. 25) and Jacksonville State (Feb. 27).
Before heading to Huntsville, Ala. for the Conference USA Tournament (March 9-13), the Bears will conclude the regular season at home with senior weekend tilts against New Mexico State (March 4) and Sam Houston (March 6).
All game times and television designations will be released at a later date. The Bears will also release their non-conference schedule at a later date.
Under Martin, Missouri State made a seven-win improvement in 2025-26 from the prior season, making a run to the Conference USA Tournament semifinals after upsetting top-seeded Liberty in the event’s quarterfinals. The Bears return two backcourt starters in Trey Williams Jr. and Melakih Cunningham for Martin’s third season back with the program.
All basketball season tickets will go on sale Monday, July 13. Fans may purchase tickets via phone at (417) 836-7678, in person at the Great Southern Bank Arena box office, or ONLINE through the university’s new Paciolan ticketing platform. Summer box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
2026-27
MISSOURI STATE BEARS CUSA SCHEDULE
Thu., Dec. 31 at Sam Houston
Sat., Jan. 2 at NM State
Thu., Jan. 7 vs. Delaware
Sat., Jan. 9 vs. Liberty
Sat., Jan. 16 at FIU
Thu., Jan. 21 at WKU
Sat., Jan. 23 at Middle Tenn.
Thu., Jan. 28 vs. Kennesaw State
Sat., Jan. 30 vs. Jax State
Thu., Feb. 4 at Liberty
Sat., Feb. 6 at Delaware
Sat., Feb. 13 vs. FIU
Thu., Feb. 18 vs. Middle Tenn.
Sat., Feb. 20 vs. WKU
Thu., Feb. 25 at Kennesaw State
Sat., Feb. 27 at Jax State
Thu., March 4 vs. NM State
Sat., March 6 vs. Sam Houston
CUSA Tournament, March 9-13, Huntsville, Texas