The Event: The Bears finish out a busy November home schedule Saturday when they welcome the Tulsa Golden Hurricane to JQH Arena for the first time for a 7:05 p.m. tipoff.

 Missouri State is off to a 4-0 start for the first time since 2006-07 after winning the Hispanic College Fund Challenge last weekend. Wins over Maryland Eastern Shore (70-53), The Citadel (72-55), and Eastern Michigan (75-61) in the event gave the Bears their first four-game winning streak under head coach Cuonzo Martin.

 Kyle Weems (So., F, Topeka, Kan.) was named tournament most valuable player after he led the field with 50 points over three games and collected 16 rebounds and 8 three-pointers. Caleb Patterson (So., C, Ames, Okla.) also earned a spot on the all-tournament team after he scored 30 points, all off the bench, while blocking 4 shots.

 Tulsa is also undefeated after five home wins in November and will embark on its first road game of the season.

The Series: Missouri State leads the all-time series, 18-16, but has lost five straight meetings with the Golden Hurricane. In their three previous home arenas, the Bears are 10-6 against Tulsa, including a 4-4 record at Hammons Student Center, but have never hosted Tulsa at JQH Arena. The series dates back to 1932.

The Coaches: Missouri State head coach Cuonzo Martin (Purdue, 2000) is 15-20 (.429) overall and 13-8 (.619) at JQH Arena in his second season at MSU and overall. He is 0-1 against Tulsa and Conference USA foes with last year's 70-67 defeat at Tulsa (12/10/08). He is also 6-2 in November and 6-5 on Saturdays.

 Martin spent eight seasons as an assistant coach and associate head coach at Purdue (2000-08) where he was a standout performer for coach Gene Keady from 1991-95. He became MSU's 16th head basketball coach on April 1, 2008.

 Martin (38) played professional basketball for four years, including two stops with the Milwaukee Bucks and one with the Vancouver Grizzlies of the NBA. He spent most of his professional playing time in the Continental Basketball Association and in Europe, leading Grand Rapids in scoring three seasons and leading the Felize Scandone team in Avellino, Italy in 1997. Originally from East St. Louis, Ill., he scored 20 points against the Bears as a Purdue player on 12/22/92 and helped Purdue to a 4-0 mark against MSU as a player and coach.

 Tulsa head coach Doug Wojcik (Navy, 1987) is 86-53 in his fith season at Tulsa and overall. He is 1-0 against Missouri State. He was a college teammate of David Robinson at Navy and has previous assistant coaching stints at Navy, North Carolina, Michigan State and Notre Dame. His Tulsa squads have posted three straight 20-win seasons after an 11-17 campaign in his debut in 2005-06.

The Ten Count: Ten Missouri State quick facts relating to today's game:

• Kyle Weems has been named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week after helping the Bears to a 4-0 start and scoring 63 points last week. He was named MVP of the Hispanic College Fund Challenge after hitting for an event-best 50 points in three games and dropping in 8-of-14 three-pointers.
• The Bears are in the midst of their first four-game winning streak under head coach Cuonzo Martin.
• Missouri State tied its best-ever point output at JQH Arena on Sunday with a 75-point effort against Eastern Michigan. MSU is now 13-8 (4-0 this season) in its first two seasons at JQH.
• The Bears are expected to be at full strength for the Tulsa game for the first time this season as Justin Fuehrmeyer and Michael Porter return. Fuehrmeyer entered the 2009-10 season as the Missouri Valley Conference's active leader in assists (231) and fourth among all active MVC players in steals (81).
• Caleb Patterson was named to the All-Tournament Team in the Hispanic College Fund Challenge after posting 30 points and a tournament-best four blocks, all off the bench, in three games.
• The Bears are 212-115 (.648) on Saturdays over the last 27 seasons.
• Kyle Weems has started 15 straight games. He has scored in double figures 13 times and averaged 12.9 points per game in that span. His 18-point outburst in a reserve role at Tulsa (12/10/08) is still his third-best scoring game.
• The Bears have led or been tied at halftime in 22 of their last 34 games (15-7) and are 4-0 this season when tied or leading at the intermission.
• Missouri State has reached 70 or more points four times already this year, surpassing last year's season total (3).

Dunk-O-Meter:  Missouri State's season dunk total is now 7. 　

Last Outing: The Bears improved to 4-0 on the young season last weekend with three wins in the Hispanic College Fund Challenge at JQH Arena.

 The Bears outrebounded Maryland Eastern Shore 42-29 and got 16 points from Kyle Weems (So., F, Topeka, Kan.) in a 70-53 opening-round win over the Hawks. Adam Leonard (Jr., G, Lee's Summit, Mo.) also added 11 points, including 3-of-4 from three-point range.

 On Saturday, the Bears had just eight turnovers and shot 47.3-percent from the field en route to a 72-55 win over The Citadel. Weems scored a career-best 23 points, while newcomers Caleb Patterson (So., C, Ames, Okla.) and Nafis Ricks (Jr., G, Philadelphia, Pa.) added 13 and 10 points, respectively. MSU hit nine three-pointers in the game, including a 5-for-7 night beyond the arc for Weems.

 Then, against Eastern Michigan on Sunday night, MSU dropped 75 points on the Eagles in a 75-61 win in the tournament finale. MSU had five players score in double-figures, including 13 apiece by Ricks and Patterson, while Weems and Will Creekmore (Jr., F/C, Tulsa, Okla.) added 11 points. Leonard also scored 10 points and contributed to the squad's 55.1-percent shooting effort.

 Weems was named tournament MVP after scoring a tournament-best 50 points, while Patterson scored 30 off the bench to earn a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

Scouting Tulsa: Tulsa is also off to a 5-0 start after home wins over St. Mary's (72-47), Florida International (81-49), Arkansas-Little Rock (59-45), South Alabama (84-62), and Loyola-Marymount (79-65).

 The Golden Hurricane have averaged 75.0 points per game in the early going, including 14.8 points from Jerome Jordan (7-0, Sr., C) who also has collected 8.4 rebounds per game. Justin Hurtt (6-4, Jr., G) has a team-high 7 three-pointers and has scored 13.2 points per game, while Ben Uzoh (6-3, Sr., G) also has 7 threes, 23 assists and a 14.6 point-per-game scoring average.

On the Radio: All Missouri State games can be heard on KTXR, Springfield (101.3 FM), the flagship station of the Missouri State Bears Basketball Radio Network. Play-by-play man Art Hains will provide the game description, while former standout Mike Keltner (1971-74) will provide color commentary for most of the games throughout the season.

 Hains first began calling Bears action in 1977 and is in his second stint and 29th season overall as the Voice of the Bears. He called MSU games from 1977 to 1981 and returned to the mic in 1985. This weekend's three games will increase Art's total to 856 Missouri State basketball broadcasts.

 Color commentary will be provided this season by former Bears Mike Keltner (1970-74) and Drew Richards (2004-08).

 MSU basketball can also be heard on the eight-station MSU Bears Basketball Radio Network (see sidebar), in addition to live audio streaming on www.RadioSpringfield.com.

Milestones: Kyle Weems (So., F, Topeka, Kan.) needs 21 points for 400 career ... Weems needs 2 assists for 50 in his career ... Weems needs 2 personal fouls for 100 in his career ... Fuehrmeyer needs 19 assists for 250 career ... Fuehrmeyer needs 3 rebounds for 150 career ... Will Creekmore (Jr., F/C, Tulsa, Okla.) needs Creekmore needs 8 rebounds for 150 at Missouri State and 1 point for 200 at Missouri State ... Adam Leonard (Jr., G, Lee's Summit, Mo.) needs 1 point for 800 career and 7 steals for 100 career (including Eastern Ky.) ... Leonard needs 10 three-pointers for 200 in his career ... Leonard needs 12 assists for 200 for his career ... Isaiah Rhine (So., C, Versailles, Mo.) needs 5 points for 50 in his career ... Ryan Jehle (Jr., F, Overland Park, Kan.) needs 31 points for 200 career.

Following the Game On-Line: MissouriStateBears.com will provide fans around the world with a number of opportunities to view today's game. The "Fan Central" link on the site has links for Live Stats, On-Demand Video (Bears Live!), and the GameDay Guide. Final Stats are available on the Men's Basketball page on the www.MissouriStateBears.com site by going to the Schedule/Results link.

 Links for tickets, game notes, and the GameDay Guide can also be found in this area.

 The Missouri State Twitter page can be found at www.Twitter.com/MissouriStBears, and live audio on-line at www.RadioSpringfield.com.

Up Next: The Bears take to the road next Wednesday for the time this season when they travel to Arkansas-Little Rock on December 2 for a 7:35 p.m. start. MSU then returns home to play Air Force (Dec. 5) in the Mountain West-MVC Challenge before hosting UT Martin on Wed., Nov. 9.

Reunited: The game on Saturday, December 5 will feature a reunion of all former Missouri State men's basketball players. Anyone interested in attending the event should call (417) 836-4143. Each participant will receive two game tickets and two tickets to the pregame buffet along with access to the Missouri State shoot-around, pregame meal, and special recognition at halftime.

Building the Program: On Wednesday, Nov. 11, Missouri State head coach Cuonzo Martin announced the receipt of National Letters of Intent from two high school prospects for the 2010-11 season. A third player committed to play for the Bears on Nov. 12.

 Committing to Missouri State were:

• Nathan Scheer (6-5, 200, F, Washington, Mo., St. Francis Borgia High)
• Corey Copeland (6-3, 180, G, Fort Smith, Ark., Northside High)
• Aaron Cooper (5-11, 170, G, Jacksonville, Ark., North Pulaski High)

 Scheer, a student with a 3.95 grade-point average, was a consensus Missouri Class 4 All-State pick last season. He helped lead coach Dave Neier's St. Francis Borgia High School to a 28-3 overall record and Missouri state title last season after averaging 15.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game as a prep junior. He also led Borgia in scoring and rebounding as a sophomore with a 17.1 scoring average to go with 5.7 rebounds. An inside/outside threat, he showed good range with 41 three-pointers last season, while posting 60 assists and 44 steals and making good on 53-percent of his field goal attempts.

 Copeland helped his Fort Smith (Ark.) Northside squad to the Arkansas Class 7A quarterfinals last season, earning All-State honors and earning a spot on the State All-Tournament Team. He averaged 15.2 points per game and led his team in field goal percentage. He holds a 3.4 grade-point average and is considered an athletic player with outstanding leaping and shooting abilities. Martin calls Copeland a slasher who can make shots and play three different positions.

 Cooper averaged 18.0 points and 4.1 assists as a prep junior a year ago at North Pulaski (Ark.) High. He made 82-percent of his free throws and knocked down 53-percent of his three-point field goal attempts. He is a reputable defender who uses his quickness to create offense, and has a great instinct for the game. Martin says Cooper has the potential to be a great on-ball defender which complements his skills as a scoring point guard. His father, Raymond, is also Cooper's high school and AAU coach.

Where Are They Now?: Blake Ahearn (2004-07) is playing in Spain for MMT Estudiantes Madrid. Through five games with the club, he is averaging 12.4 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 26.0 minutes per game. He is 12-for-30 (.400) from three-point range. The NCAA all-time free throw leader is 20-for-21 (.952) at the charity stripe. Ahearn spent the bulk of the 2008-09 season with the Dakota Wizards of the NBA Development League where he was co-MVP of the NBA D-League All-Star Game after claiming league's Rookie of the Year honors. Ahearn had stints with the NBA's San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat during the most recent two seasons.

 Deven Mitchell (2004-08) is playing for the CS Gaz Metan Medias squad in the Romanian League. He is averaging 12.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game through eight games while making 54.1 percent of his field goal attempts.

 Shelton Colwell (2003-04) is active in Austria, averaging 17.3 points and 6.5 rebounds through the first four games of the season for the BSC Raiffeisen Fursten feld Panthers.

 Other former MSU players active in Europe last season were: Dale Lamberth (2006-08) who played five games in 2008-09 with UU-Korihait Uusikaupunki in Finland, averaring 6.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in limited playing time; Drew Richards (2005-08) who saw 15 games playing for Erdgas Ehingen/Urspringschule in Germany with 3.9 scoring and 6.7 rebounding averages. Other players will be added and updated in future game notes throughout the season.

Preseason Valley Poll: The Bears were picked ninth in the MVC preseason poll, marking just the fourth time since the Bears joined the league in 1990-91 that they have been picked to finish in the lower division of the 10-team conference.

 The poll was released on October 27 and includes votes from the league's head coaches, sports information directors, radio broadcasters and beat writers. The Bears were also picked in the MVC's preseason poll as lower-division finishers in 1995-96, 2002-03, and 2008-09.

Home Attendance: In 2008-09, the Bears eclipsed 100,000 fans (121,502) for the 17th time in the last 24 seasons. The team's final home avearge of 7,147 in 17 games at JQH Arena was the second-best home average for Missouri State this decade and 15th best all-time. The team's 2008-09 net attendance ranked No. 6 all-time at MSU.

 The Bears also improved to fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference in home attendance avarage after finishing sixth in 2007-08, and were Division I basketball's 20th most-improved program in home attendance in 2008-09.

 The Bears have been ranked between 55th and 90th among Division I programs in home attendance in 16 of the last 22 seasons, including a national ranking of 75 in 2008-09.

 Through 4 of 17 home games, the Bears are averaging 5,518 fans per game this season.

Debut of the Q: With a $30-million gift from Missouri State alumnus and Springfield-based hotel developer John Q. Hammons, the long-time dream of a new home for the Missouri State Bears and Lady Bears and an iconic tribute to MSU intercollegiate athletics became a reality last season. JQH Arena features a seating capacity of 11,000, including 50 courtside seats, 24 suites, PRIME Overtime Club, Hall of Fame and Legacy of Competition exhibits, 114 loge seats, 1,363 reserved student bleacher seats and 9,637 chairback seats.

 The Bears defeated Arkansas, 62-57, before a sellout crowd of 10,881 on November 22, 2008 in the inaugural game at JQH Arena. The first opponent to beat MSU in the facility was Utah, 71-58, on November 26, 2008. MSU is 4-0 at JQH Arena in 2009-10 and 13-8 all-time.

 MSU finished its inaugural campaign at JQH Arena with a 9-8 home record and an average home attendance of 7,147, ranking 75th among all Division I programs and 20th most-improved from the previous season.

The Program: Missouri State enters the 2009-10 season with the 28th-best all-time win total in NCAA Division I men's basketball and the 17th-best by winning percentage (.642). Currently, the Bears have an all-time record of 1504-835 (.643) in 97 seasons and are 520-318 (.621) since making the move to Division I in 1982-83.

 During its Division I era, MSU has made NCAA Tournament appearances in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, and 1999. With Tournament wins over Wisconsin and Tennessee, the 1999 Bears advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16. The Bears have also appeared in the National Invitation Tournament eight times -- 1986, 1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2005, 2006, and 2007. The 1986, 1993 and 2006 squads all reached the NIT quarterfinals.

 The Bears won NAIA national championship titles in 1952 and 1953, while making six NAIA national tournament appearances from 1939-1954. MSU appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament 10 times, finishing as national runners-up on three occassions -- 1959, 1967, and 1969.

 Missouri State has won 23 conference titles, not including a 1992 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title.

Missouri State University: Missouri State University is a public, comprehensive university system with a mission in public affairs, whose purpose is to develop educated persons while achieving five goals: democratizing society, incubating new ideas, imagining Missouri's future, making Missouri's future, and modeling ethical and effective behavior.

 With a record enrollment of 22,938 in 2009-10, MSU is the second-largest institution for higher learning in Missouri, and its identity is distinguished by its statewide mission in public affairs. This mission requires a campus-wide commitment to foster competence and responsibility in the common vocation of citizenship. Missouri State University-Springfield is a selective admissions, graduate level teaching and research institution.

 Missouri State competes at the NCAA Division I level and is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference with affiliate membership in the Mid-American Conference for field hockey and men's swimming and diving.

 Notable Missouri State alums include: Ryan Howard (2009 NLCS MVP, first baseman, Philadelphia Phillies), John Goodman (actor), Kathleen Turner (actress), David Glass (owner, Kansas City Royals), John Q. Hammons (businessman, hotel developer), Bob Holden (43rd governor of Missouri), Bill Mueller (2003 American League batting champ), Jackie Stiles (Division I career scoring leader), and Blake Ahearn (NBA D-League MVP and All-Star Game co-MVP).

Parting Shots: The Bears and Golden Hurricane share history as former colleagues in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Golden Hurricane were members of the MVC from 1934-1996 ... The last time MSU started a season 5-0 was 2006-07 ... MSU's Will Creekmore (Jr., C) is a native of Tulsa and attended Edison High School.