League: NCAAM Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Breaking News

Missouri State opens season with three Division II wins before D-I matchup

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 13, 2026, 10:11 PM

Last updated Nov 13, 2026

Missouri State opens season with three Division II wins before D-I matchup

Summary

Missouri State men’s basketball remains undefeated at 3-0 after gaining victories over three Division II opponents. Coach Cuonzo Martin stated the team is ready for its Division I schedule following these matchups, which lacked major appeal. The Bears will face Abilene Christian at home on November 16. The trend of mid-major teams playing lower-tier opponents is common, as all Conference USA teams also compete against non-DI opponents this season. Comparatively, Missouri State has avoided scheduling Division III or NAIA teams, a rarity in the current scheduling climate.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Missouri State is currently 3-0 with three wins against Division II teams.
•The Bears will start their Division I schedule on November 16.
•Mid-major programs face difficulties scheduling competitive games.
•All Conference USA teams will have played non-DI opponents this season.
•Missouri State is unique in not scheduling Division III or NAIA teams.

Latest Updates

10:11 PMYahoo Sports — Missouri State isn't the only team playing lower-level teams, it could be worse

What they're saying

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Missouri State started the season with three Division II games. The entire conference is scheduling this way, indicative of college basketball's landscape.
— Yahoo Sports

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