The Missouri Valley Conference is buzzing with anticipation as the 2025-26 college sports season approaches, bringing fresh schedules, new rankings, and plenty of storylines for fans to savor. From basketball courts to volleyball arenas and football fields, the MVC landscape is set with drama, talent, and the promise of unforgettable moments. Let’s dive into the latest updates shaping the conference, with a special focus on the Drake Bulldogs’ women’s basketball slate, Indiana State’s volleyball battles, Murray State’s football challenge, and the preseason basketball rankings that have everyone talking.
Basketball fans in Des Moines have plenty to look forward to as the Missouri Valley Conference revealed the full 2025-26 women’s basketball schedule on October 13, 2025. The Drake Bulldogs are preparing for a rigorous 20-game MVC slate, facing every team in the now 11-member league twice. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and the Bulldogs will need every ounce of grit to navigate the packed schedule.
Drake’s journey through the Valley begins with a tough pair of road games before the new year: the Bulldogs open at Indiana State on December 17, followed by a trip to UIC on December 29. The first home game at the Knapp Center comes on January 2 against Southern Illinois, setting the tone for a month filled with both road and home challenges. January features away matchups at Belmont and Murray State, with home contests against Bradley, Evansville, and Murray State sandwiched in between. The Bulldogs will also travel to Valparaiso and Bradley before January closes, ensuring there’s no shortage of early-season tests.
February heats up with a home rivalry showdown against UNI on the first of the month—a fixture that always draws extra attention. Belmont visits Des Moines on February 5, then Drake hits the road to face Illinois State on February 7. Valentine’s Day marks the start of a three-game homestand, featuring Indiana State, Valparaiso, and UIC. The Bulldogs will wrap up February with trips to Evansville and Southern Illinois, before returning home in March for a key clash with Illinois State on March 5. The regular season caps off with a high-stakes visit to UNI on March 8, a game that could have major postseason implications.
Once the dust settles on the regular season, all eyes turn to the 2026 Credit Union 1 Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament, scheduled for March 12-15 at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa. It’s the ultimate test, with a ticket to the NCAA Tournament on the line and every team in the league aiming to peak at just the right moment. For fans eager to catch the action, season tickets are already on sale, with mini plan packages and single-game tickets rolling out on October 14 and October 21, respectively. The Bulldogs’ faithful will be hoping for another magical run as the squad looks to cement its place among the Valley’s elite.
Meanwhile, the men’s side of the MVC has its own preseason buzz. On October 13, Kenpom.com, the respected analytics site, released its first rankings for the 2025-26 season. The Bradley Braves emerged as the top pick in the MVC, landing at No. 1 in the league and No. 106 nationally in the sprawling 365-team NCAA Division I field. Kenpom’s projections have Bradley finishing 13-7 in conference play and 19-9 overall, a forecast that has energized the Braves’ fanbase. Belmont follows closely at No. 2 in the Valley (No. 108 nationally), with Northern Iowa (No. 117) and Illinois State (No. 121) rounding out the top four.
The MVC’s own preseason poll, however, paints a slightly different picture, putting Illinois State at No. 1, followed by Northern Iowa, Murray State, Bradley, and Belmont. What’s clear is that the conference race is expected to be fiercely competitive, with the top seven teams nationally ranked within just 29 slots of each other. The MVC itself is rated No. 10 among all 31 NCAA Division I conferences, a testament to the quality and depth on display. According to Kenpom.com, “the analytics forecast a congested conference race,” setting the stage for a season where every game could tip the balance.
While basketball is gearing up for tipoff, the volleyball courts are already alive with action. Indiana State is set to host Evansville in a midweek MVC showdown on Tuesday, October 14, at ISU Arena. The Sycamores are coming off a mixed weekend, having defeated Murray State 3-1 before falling to Belmont 3-0. The last meeting between Indiana State and Evansville saw the Sycamores struggle with their hitting, posting a .116 percentage overall and dropping the match 3-1. Indiana State did manage to dominate the third set with a 25-11 win, but consistency remains the key heading into this latest encounter.
Freshman Hadley Hardersen has been a bright spot for Indiana State, playing in all 20 sets over the last five matches and leading the team with a .287 hitting percentage during that span. Another milestone was reached when Kimora Whetstone played her 100th collegiate match in the win at Murray State on October 10. As the Sycamores prepare for Evansville, fans can keep up with the latest by following GoSycamores.com and the team’s social media channels. The energy in the ISU Arena promises to be electric as Indiana State looks to “flip the script” from their previous loss to the Purple Aces.
Switching gears to football, the Murray State Racers are gearing up for a challenging Missouri Valley Football Conference showdown against the North Dakota Fightin’ Hawks on November 15 at Roy Stewart Stadium. The Racers have had a tough season so far, averaging 21.3 points per game but surrendering a staggering 519.2 yards per contest on defense. North Dakota, on the other hand, boasts a high-octane offense averaging 39.3 points and a stout defense allowing just 319.7 yards per game.
The statistical matchup paints a telling picture: Murray State’s offense averages 323.0 yards per game, while North Dakota’s defense allows only 319.7. The Racers are 0-5 this season when scoring more than 18.8 points, while the Fightin’ Hawks are 4-2 when keeping opponents under 21.3 points. North Dakota is also 4-1 when lighting up the scoreboard for more than 44.5 points. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ at noon ET, with tickets available through Vivid Seats. For fans of hard-hitting college football, this clash promises plenty of fireworks and could provide a spark for the Racers as they look to turn their season around.
Across the Missouri Valley Conference, anticipation is at a fever pitch. Whether it’s the battle for basketball supremacy, the intensity of volleyball showdowns, or the gridiron drama of football Saturdays, every contest carries weight and meaning. Fans are already circling dates on their calendars and snapping up tickets, eager to be part of the action. As the 2025-26 season unfolds, one thing’s for sure: the MVC is primed for another year of unforgettable sports moments, and the road to glory is just getting started.
