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SPRINGFIELD – A challenging and exciting non-conference basketball schedule awaits the Missouri State Bears this winter, according to head coach Dana Ford, who released the framework for the slate Thursday (June 27).
 
The Bears will play at least six home games at JQH Arena as part of Ford's second season as head coach. MSU is slated to host long-time rival Cleveland State on Nov. 12, with return games from Murray State (Dec. 3) and Arkansas State (Dec. 11).
 
Ford noted the Bears are still finalizing the other three home games, which will be announced at a later date.
 
"We are still working diligently to finalize the last few home dates for our non-conference schedule, but we wanted to let the fans know how excited we are for the season ahead," said Ford. "We are very honored to have some great basketball programs coming to JQH Arena this year."
 
The quality of the Bears' road foes is even more impressive. Ford's squad starts a five-game road swing at Xavier University on Nov. 21 before playing three games in the Charleston Classic, Nov. 21-24 in South Carolina. MSU closes out the road swing at LSU on Nov. 29 in the first-ever meeting between the Bears and Tigers who advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2019.
 
Other competitors in the Charleston Classic are: Buffalo, UConn, Florida, Miami (Fla.), St. Joseph's, Towson and Xavier. Pairings for the ESPN-produced event will be announced later this summer.
 
The Bears also play a pair of road games in December with a trip to 2019 NCAA Tournament qualifier VCU on Dec. 15 before taking on regional rival Oral Roberts on Dec. 21 in the non-conference finale in Tulsa.
 
"We have the opportunity to play against some of the best teams in the country this year," said Ford. "It's very humbling to have that opportunity and to continue to represent our university and our conference on the national stage."
 
As is customary, the Missouri Valley Conference portion of the schedule will be released this fall.
 
Ford returns a pair of All-Missouri Valley Conference starters and six lettermen in all from a 16-16 club of a year ago. The Bears also welcome six newcomers to the fold with three additional transfers gaining eligibility after sitting out last season to satisfy NCAA requirements.
 
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