Newman University vs Missouri State prediction: Missouri State's rebuilt, supersized roster gets a second look against Newman
With barely a fifth of last season's minutes back, Cuonzo Martin's Bears use a Division II visitor to sort out a frontcourt built around three 7-footers in all but name.
- Missouri State should control this one as it breaks in a nearly new roster; the real interest is rotation and frontcourt minutes.
- Watch Missouri State's new size, 6-11 Andrej Acimovic, 7-0 Isaiah Medina and 6-11 Kuol Kuol, against a Division II Newman team.
- No spread or total is posted yet; the number that matters most is Missouri State's 21.9% returning minutes.
Starting over in Springfield
Cuonzo Martin's third season at Missouri State begins with a roster that is almost entirely new. Players back from last season's 16-18 team account for just 21.9% of its minutes and 16.7% of its points, so last season's numbers are a weak guide to this group.
The departures took the scoring. Keith Palek III averaged 17.3 points and Kobi Williams, now at Tulsa, added 14.4. In their place comes size: Indiana transfer Andrej Acimovic (6-11), DePaul transfer Isaiah Medina (7-0) and freshman Kuol Kuol (6-11) out of Oak Hill Academy. Conference USA coaches picked the Bears eighth in the 10-team league.
What carries over
Trey Williams Jr. is the anchor. He started all 34 games last season, averaged 9.4 points and made 36.8% of his threes. Melakih Cunningham and Cameron Boone are the only other returners.
One team trait worth watching is whether the new bigs keep last season's habit of living at the line. Missouri State ranked 23rd nationally in free throw rate (free throw attempts per field goal attempt) last season but shot just 67.7% once there. A frontcourt this tall should draw fouls against a smaller opponent; converting them is another matter.
Schedule and setting
This is the Bears' second game, following a Nov. 3 opener against Division II Lincoln, and it comes at home at Great Southern Bank Arena. Missouri State also ran a closed scrimmage at Wichita State on Oct. 24. No injuries were listed for the Bears as of Oct. 30.
Newman, a Division II program under coach RJ Allen, added junior-college transfers Jon Byrd Jr., Leslie Owens Jr. and Malachi Wesley Jr. The Jets head to Kansas City on Nov. 17 after this trip.
Key players
- Trey Williams Jr. (Missouri State): Started all 34 games last season and shot 36.8% from three while averaging 9.4 points.
- Melakih Cunningham (Missouri State): Played 11.8 minutes a game last season and figures for a bigger role on a thin returning roster.
- Cameron Boone (Missouri State): Shot 65.2% from the field in limited minutes last season.
Numbers that matter
| Returning minutes | 21.9% | Share of last season's minutes played by players on this season's Missouri State roster. |
|---|---|---|
| Free throw rate rank, last season | 23rd | Missouri State got to the line often last season, a trait new size could extend. |
| Free throw %, last season | 67.7% | Ranked 331st nationally, a weakness that offset all those trips to the line. |
| Preseason CUSA pick | eighth | Where league coaches slotted the rebuilt Bears in a 10-team field. |
Newman University vs Missouri State: quick answers
When is Newman University vs Missouri State?
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET.