SPRINGFIELD -- The most comprehensive television package in school history will feature at least 27 Bears and Lady Bears basketball games this season, Missouri State University announced Friday (Oct. 8). The Missouri Valley Conference finalized its national and regional television package earlier this week, releasing its members to finalize their institutional packages.

Missouri State and its marketing partner Nelligan Sports Marketing announced a four-year partnership with KY3 Inc. on August 26 to cover nine men's and eight women's games annually on KY3 (KYTV) and The Ozarks CW (KCZ).  The 17-game MSU package will also be distributed on the Missouri State Television Network, which currently includes Charter Cable in St. Louis and Metro Sports in Kansas City with other affiliates likely to be added.

Men's games confirmed on the Bears Television Network are: Nov. 19 at Tulsa (7 p.m.), Dec. 11 at Oklahoma State (7 p.m.), Jan. 19 at Indiana State (6:05 p.m.), Jan. 25 at Drake (7:05 p.m.), Feb. 2 at Evansville (7:05 p.m.), Feb. 12 at Illinois State (7:05 p.m.), and Feb. 23 at Southern Illinois (7:05 p.m.). Those seven games will air on a combination of KY3-TV and KCZ Ozarks-CW with two additional games to be announced at a later date.

The Missouri State women will also appear on KY3 and the Ozarks CW on the following dates: Dec. 5 vs. Arkansas State (2:05 p.m.), Jan. 2 vs. Evansville (2:05 p.m.), Jan. 8 at Bradley (7:05 p.m.), Jan. 16 vs. Indiana State (2:05 p.m.), Jan. 21 vs. Wichita State (7:05 p.m.), Jan. 29 at Drake (2:05 p.m.), Feb. 12 at Illinois State (2:05 p.m.), and March 5 at Southern Illinois (2:05 p.m.).

"Our new agreement with KY3, Inc. has provided us an opportunity for greater exposure locally and on our own television network," said Director of Athletics Kyle Moats. "The great work The Missouri Valley Conference has done in expanding league coverage on FOX Sports Midwest and ESPN gives us at least 17 men's games and 10 women's games this year."

KY3 Inc., also announced the broadcast teams for the institutional telecasts on Friday. Calling the action for the Bears and Lady Bears this season will by KY3 sports director Ned Reynolds.  Former Missouri State standout Kelby Stuckey will serve as the color commentator for the men's games, and KSPR sports director Mike Scott will do color commentary for the Lady Bears.

Stuckey played for coach Charlie Spoonhour from 1985-89, guided the Bears to three NCAA Tournament appearances in (1987, 88 and 89), and finished his career as the No. 9 all-time scorer in the program's history with 1,188 points. 

Scott is a 2004 graduate of Missouri State and was a member of the 2004 national championship handball team at MSU.  A Springfield native, he was promoted to sports director at KSPR-TV in August after previously holding the position of assistant sports director at the station.

 "We have assembled a great broadcast team and an exciting schedule of games.  We know this will be a great season for Missouri State basketball fans," said KY3 president and general manager Mike Scott (no relation).

In addition to the local games, Cuonzo Martin's Bears will appear on national and regional telecasts at least eight times this season with a minimum of four games on the ESPN family of networks. The men's ESPN telecasts are: Jan. 9 at Wichita State (ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.), Jan. 16 at Bradley (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Jan. 22 vs. Creighton (ESPN2, 4 p.m.), and Jan. 30 vs. UNI (ESNPU, 7 p.m.). ESPN also owns the right to the BracketBusters series, Feb. 18-20, which will include 11 nationally televised games on the ESPN networks to be announced Jan. 31.

FS Midwest telecasts involving the Bears on the MVC-TV package are: Dec. 29 at Northern Iowa (7 p.m.), Jan. 4 at Creighton (7 p.m.), Feb. 9 vs. Bradley (7 p.m.). The Bears will also appear on at least one FS Midwest telecast from the State Farm MVC Tournament in St. Louis, March 3-6. The MVC package also includes two telecasts on Saturday, Feb. 26 as part of the conference "Wildcard Weekend" which will be announced in early February.

The Lady Bears have two games slated for regional telecasts on FS Midwest -- Jan. 11 vs. Illinois State (7:05 p.m.), and Feb. 17 at Wichita State (Feb. 17). The women's "Wildcard Weekend" on Valley-TV is Feb. 25 and 27, and the MVC Tournament semifinals and finals will also air on FS Midwest.

"What we know today is we will be on television 27 times this season," Moats explained. "But there are a number of additional opportunities for both teams to get regional and national exposure. ESPN is the rights holder for the men's NIT Season Tip-Off, and if we advance to New York, both of those games are televised nationally. The BracketBusters event has 11 games on ESPN. The Valley Tournament games and Wildcard Weekend games could give us more chances to be on TV. Our fans and alumni should be very pleased."

The KY3 Inc. agreement also includes the production of the weekly Cuonzo Martin Show and Nyla Milleson Show. A final schedule of coaches shows will be announced at a later date. Check local listings for details. The production costs and commercial inventory of the KY3, Inc. basketball package will be supported by Bass Pro Shops, Chevy Dealers of the Ozarks, St. John's Hospital, and Great Southern Bank.