Truman State vs Missouri State prediction: Missouri State's rebuilt roster gets a home tuneup against Truman State
With only three returners in Springfield, the Bears' Jersey Night game against a Division II visitor is mostly a first look at who Cuonzo Martin's new pieces are.
- Missouri State, three days after its Nov. 3 opener against Lincoln, gets more live reps for a nearly all-new roster against Division II Truman State.
- Watch how transfers Andrej Acimovic and Isaiah Medina fit alongside freshman Kuol Kuol and the three returning Bears.
- No spread or total was posted as of Oct. 24; last season's Bears finished 194th of 365 in adjusted net efficiency.
A roster built almost from scratch
Missouri State brings back three players from last season: Trey Williams, Melakih Cunningham and Cameron Boone. Everyone else is new to the program. That includes Andrej Acimovic, a transfer from Indiana; Isaiah Medina, a sophomore who came over from DePaul; and freshman Kuol Kuol, who projects as one of the more important additions.
That turnover makes last season's team numbers a weak guide. The 2025-26 Bears went 16-18 and finished 194th of 365 nationally in adjusted net efficiency (points scored minus points allowed per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponents). Conference USA coaches picked this group eighth of 10 in the preseason poll, which signals modest expectations for a team still learning to play together.
The free throw habit
One trait from last season is worth tracking to see whether it survives the rebuild. The Bears lived at the line, ranking 23rd nationally in free throw rate (free throw attempts per field goal attempt). They didn't cash in, though. Their 67.7% shooting at the stripe ranked 331st.
Whether the new roster keeps attacking the rim, and finishes better at the line, is a fair early question against a Division II defense.
Setting and stakes
Truman's athletics site lists the game as an exhibition. Missouri State bills it as Jersey Night at Great Southern Bank Arena, with tip at 7 p.m. local time. It comes three days after the Bears open against Lincoln, another Division II school.
Truman State plays in the GLVC. Its roster includes Antwan Robinson, Micah Caster, Roy Henderson III and Kyle Edison. No injury or eligibility news had surfaced for either team as of Oct. 24.
Numbers that matter
| Returning players | 3 | Williams, Cunningham and Boone are the only Bears back from last season's roster. |
|---|---|---|
| Last season's free throw rate rank | 23rd | Missouri State drew fouls at one of the highest rates in Division I in 2025-26. |
| Last season's free throw % | 67.7% | That mark ranked 331st, leaving points at the line all year. |
| CUSA preseason poll | eighth | League coaches slotted the rebuilt Bears eighth of 10. |
Truman State vs Missouri State: quick answers
When is Truman State vs Missouri State?
Friday, November 6, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET.