ST. LOUIS -- Missouri State will host Utah State on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015 as part of the renewed, 10-game Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge for men's basketball, the two leagues announced Thursday (April 2).

The challenge revival is a four-year agreement. Annual matchups for teams in the Challenge Series will be based upon factors including the previous year's achievements, records and RPI rankings, as well as projected rankings/strength of teams in the upcoming season, based on composite sources. Each season will be considered separately in terms of matchups, therefore, games from the previous year's Challenge Series may not be returned.

"The reintroduction of this Challenge Series is a positive step for both leagues," says MVC Commissioner Doug Elgin. "Tough non-conference scheduling has always been paramount in improving our league's stature on the national scene. The series helps institutions in both leagues achieve that goal.  It's great for the fans of the Missouri Valley and the Mountain West as new rivalries are developed with nationally-recognized programs that have a strong commitment to men's basketball."

The Mountain West has ranked among the Top 10 in the NCAA's final RPI report in nine of the last 10 years, while the Valley has been among the Top 10 eight times during that same span. The leagues have combined for nine Sweet 16 and one Final Four (Wichita State) appearances over the last decade.

The previous Mountain West-Missouri Valley Challenge Series ran from the 2009-10 through the 2012-13 seasons.  During that four-year span, six MVC teams competed in the NCAA Tournament, and the league combined for eight NCAA Tourney wins, which included two Sweet 16 appearances and WSU's run to the 2013 Final Four.  The MW has a 22-13 edge in the 35 previous games, but that did include a lopsided 8-1 record in games against the MVC in 2010.  UNI and Wichita State have enjoyed the best individual team success among MVC members, with each compiling a 3-1 record during the first four-year series.

Missouri State was 1-2 in the first four years of the Challenge series, defeating Air Force at home in 2009 before being idle in 2010. The Bears then lost at New Mexico in 2011 and were defeated at home by San Diego State in 2012.

In the 2015 Challenge Series, games will be played across November and December. In future seasons, Challenge Series contests will primarily be played during a nine-day window beginning the weekend after Thanksgiving.

 

About the Mountain West Conference

 From its inception in 1999, the Mountain West has been committed to excellence in intercollegiate athletics, while promoting the academic missions of its member institutions. Progressive in its approach, the Mountain West continues to cultivate opportunities for student-athletes to compete at the highest level, while fostering academic achievement and sportsmanship. Now in its 16th year, the MW has been assertive in its involvement with the NCAA governance structure and has taken a leadership role in the overall administration of intercollegiate athletics. The Mountain West membership is comprised of 11 all-sport members: the United States Air Force Academy, Boise State University, Colorado State University, Fresno State, University of Nevada, University of New Mexico, San Diego State University, San José State University, UNLV, Utah State University and University of Wyoming. In addition, the University of Hawai`i and Colorado College participate in the Mountain West as single-sport members in football and women's soccer, respectively.