The Missouri Valley Conference has finalized its 2009-10 men's basketball schedule. Missouri State opens its 18-game league ledger on Tuesday, Dec. 29 at Evansville before returning home on New Year's Day to play Illinois State.

The Bears then take to the road on Jan. 3 to take on defending MVC champions Northern Iowa before returning to JQH Arena for a two-game league stand against Wichita State (Jan. 6), and Bradley (Jan. 9).

MSU then plays three of its next four games on the road with travel dates to Drake (Jan. 12) and Bradley (Jan. 16), a home affair with Indiana State (Jan. 19) on MVC television, and nationally-televised game at Creighton on Jan. 24.

Cuonzo Martin's team closes out a busy January slate with home dates against Evansville (Jan. 27) and Northern Iowa (Jan. 30). The seven-game league schedule for February begins on Feb. 3 at Southern Illinois before the Bears return home Feb. 6 against Creighton, and Feb. 10 for a return date with the SIU Salukis.

Two televised contests follow with a Feb. 14 game on ESPNU at Wichita State, and an MVC televised game at Illinois State (Feb. 17).  After a home game in the ESPNU BracketBusters on Feb. 20, the Bears wrap up their home slate on Feb. 24 against Drake before concluding the regular season at Indiana State on Feb. 27.

The State Farm MVC Tournament at Scottrade Center in St. Louis will take place, March 4-7.

All told, the Bears will have 17 regular-season home games, plus two home exhibition games.  The team hits the floor for the first time on Monday, Nov. 2 against Missouri-St. Louis in an exhibition affair at JQH Arena, and opens the regular season at home on Nov. 16 against Auburn.

Season tickets are on sale now by calling (417) 836-7678 or in person at the Missouri State Athletics Box Office located at JQH Arena.