Missouri State Bears

The Missouri State Bears bring Springfield a program with deep roots in small-college basketball success, now playing at Great Southern Bank Arena as a steady Missouri Valley Conference contender. Formerly Southwest Missouri State, the Bears carry forward championship pedigree from their NAIA glory days. Maroon and white basketball has become part of the fabric of Springfield sports life. Missouri State has built a reputation for producing memorable NCAA Tournament runs when the roster comes together. The Bears remain one of the Valley's proud old-guard programs.

The program traces to 1908 and won back-to-back NAIA national championships in 1952 and 1953 under coach Bob Vanatta. Missouri State (then Southwest Missouri State) moved to Division I in 1982-83 and joined the Missouri Valley Conference in 1990. The Bears' most memorable modern run came in 1999, when they reached the Sweet 16 by upsetting Wisconsin and Tennessee. Missouri State has won five Missouri Valley Tournament titles, in 1996, 1997, 2015, 2018, and 2022.