These previews aren\u2019t here to re-hash the argument over whether Dennis Gates put together a good schedule or not. It\u2019s simply to talk about the opponents, and what can be expected. We\u2019re also not going to use these to preview Kansas State since it\u2019s an exhibition. We\u2019ll do a quick K-State preview before the game, but for now we\u2019re going to focus on the games that matter.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s Meet: Alabama State Hornets<\/p>\n
It\u2019s rare to get these types of buy games in back-to-back seasons<\/a>, but here we are! Just last year Missouri played Alabama State in late December and got a pretty spicy game from the Hornets. But few could have predicted that season would be Alabama State\u2019s best since 2016. The Hornets ended up making the NCAA Tournament, and won their first round game against another 16th seed, Saint Francis, in dramatic fashion<\/a>.<\/p>\n Located in Montgomery, Alabama State is a historical black college which has been playing basketball since 1934. For about 50 years the program competed in NCAA\u2019s Division II in the SIAC, then made the move to Division I in 1982 when they joined the SWAC.<\/p>\n Since the 82-83 season there have been 4 conference regular season championships and 5 conference tournament championships, leading to five total NCAA trips and just the one win last year.<\/p>\n Head Coach | Tony Madlock | 4th Season 41-58<\/p>\n Mar 20, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Alabama State Hornets head coach Tony Madlock reacts on the sidelines during the first half against the Auburn Tigers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images Jordan Prather-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Tony Madlock has had an interesting career, he played at Memphis with Penny Hardaway. And quickly after he was done playing he began his career as a coach. He was a long time assistant who got his D1 start under Dickey Nutt at Arkansas State in 1997. His next move was in 2006 to UTEP and Tony Barbee\u2019s staff. He stuck with Barbee all the way to Auburn before hopping on Andy Kennedy\u2019s staff at Ole Miss, where he actually finished out the 2017-18 season when Kennedy stepped away from the team knowing he was about to be fired. After the staff turnover at Ole Miss, Madlock landed back at Memphis under Hardaway before finally taking his shot at South Carolina State in 2021.<\/p>\n His stay in Orangeburg didn\u2019t last long as Alabama State become open the very next season and Madlock made the quick jump.<\/p>\n Since taking over the program, there were three steady years of progress after an opening 8 win first season. The culmination came with the first NCAA Tournament win in program history which is pretty cool. Madlock has earned a long leash after his first three seasons. Who knows, he keeps it up and a few other jobs might take a long look.<\/p>\n Series History | Missouri leads 2-0<\/p>\n![\"Mar](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/imagn-25720592.jpg\"\/)
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