Missouri State will leave Missouri Valley Conference for Conference USA
The Missouri Valley Conference will lose its only basketball team from Missouri after the 2024-25 season.
Missouri State University has accepted an invitation to join Conference USA in nearly all sports, becoming its 12th member effective July 1, 2025.
Why did Missouri State leave the Valley?
Missouri State's move is significant for football, as it puts the Bears in the NCAA's exclusive Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) for the first time. The move also includes men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, women's soccer, women's cross country, men's and women's golf, women's tennis, women's track and field, and beach volleyball.
Who will start for Bradley basketball? The Braves and the new-look Missouri Valley
"This is an exciting day for Missouri State," MSU president Clif Smart said in a statement released by the university. "The opportunities associated with membership in an FBS conference allows us to continue to expand as a university and raise our reputation to the next level.
"We have valued our membership in the Missouri Valley Conference — a premier conference in the NCAA — and look forward to a final year in the league before we transition to CUSA."
What schools are in Conference USA?
Conference USA was ranked 15th in basketball by metrics site KenPom.com among 33 conferences ranked last season. The Valley was 10th.
The Bradley Braves were 29-43 all-time against Missouri State in the Valley. BU swept the Bears last season, 86-60 at home and 86-62 on the road. The latter game saw BU point guard Duke Deen make nine 3-pointers, an all-time single-game record for the Bradley program and the most ever at Great Southern Bank Arena.
Missouri State will join a CUSA lineup that includes Florida International, Liberty, Jacksonville State, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee State, New Mexico State, Sam Houston State, UTEP, Western Kentucky, Kennesaw State and University of Delaware.
Why did Missouri State join Conference USA?
Missouri State athletics director Kyle Moats said an anticipated increase in revenue from joining an FBS conference will make the move budget-neutral. He also said the move should bring travel upgrades and more financial resources for athletes.
"We are extremely excited to welcome Missouri State University as the 12th member of Conference USA," CUSA commissioner Judy MacLeod said. "The institution boasts a great tradition in athletics and academics that will strengthen and further position our membership for long-term success in the national landscape."
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Missouri State earned 117 regular-season and post-season tournament titles during its 34 years in the Valley.
"I want to thank commissioners Doug Elgin and Jeff Jackson who have both been strong, visionary leaders during our tenure in the Missouri Valley," Moats said.
What the Valley said
Missouri Valley Conference commissioner Jeff Jackson said:
"Missouri State University has been a valued member of the Missouri Valley Conference since 1990 and has had countless success stories in its 34 years in the conference.
"We wish Missouri State all the best as it begins its next chapter in 2025-26."
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Conference switch: Missouri State leaves Missouri Valley for Conference USA
