We have just over a month left until the college basketball season kicks off on Nov. 3. Just like usual, the Conference USA figures to be competitive.
The Liberty Flames won the regular season and conference tournament titles last season. This season, it’s anyone’s game.
Every few days, this series will preview each team in the CUSA from bottom to top, power rankings style.
First up: the Missouri State Bears at the No. 12 spot.
The Bears had a difficult season in 2024-25, posting a 9-23 record in the Missouri Valley Conference. The nine-win campaign occurred with 14 points per game scorer Dez White, who transferred to Oregon State in the offseason, and second-leading scorer Vincent Brady II, who moved on to High Point.
Thus, Missouri State will rely on Michael Osei-Bonsu and Zaxton King to lead the team’s offense this season.
There aren’t many returners for coach Cuonzo Martin. In fact, there are only three, combining for just 23 points per game. Osei-Bonsu accounted for 11 points along with 7.4 rebounds.
King was a quality addition out of high school, scoring 8.9 points per game as a true freshman. The only other returner was guard Logan Epes, a senior who scored 2.1 points per game last season.
To replace the lost production, Martin turned to the transfer portal. Martin added Amar Kuljuhovic and Antwan Burnett in the portal and both figure to play significant roles. Kuljuhovic is a well-rounded player, averaging 10 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in his two years at North Dakota. Burnett comes from Grambling State after averaging 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season.
Another intriguing player Missouri State added is Georgia Tech transfer Darrion Sutton. Although he only scored 1.3 points per game with the Yellow Jackets last season, he offers intriguing size (6-foot-8) and Power Four experience that will benefit him at the mid-major level.
Filling out the rest of the roster are some Division II transfers: Kobi Williams (14.5 ppg, 38.8% 3-PT), Tyrique Brooks (13.5 ppg) and Keith Palek (12.9 ppg, 6.3 rbp).
Missouri State emphasized toughness on the glass, adding three players who each averaged at least five rebounds per game at their previous schools. While the Bears will need new scoring options to emerge, their improved rebounding foundation gives them a building block as they look to climb the Conference USA standings this season.
