Missouri State Lady Bears to open Beth Cunningham era against Mizzou
New Missouri State head coach Beth Cunningham can picture in her head what the atmosphere is going to be like when she exits the tunnel when the Lady Bears host Mizzou on Monday night.
Knowing the importance of Missouri State's rivalry with Mizzou, Cunningham can already envision the atmosphere and the crowd that the annual game typically brings. She's excited about the opportunity to open her career on the MSU sideline at Great Southern Bank Arena.
She's also excited about the challenge the game will bring.
"It's one of the reasons our kids come here — to play in those kind of games, you know?" Cunningham said. "To be able to have that challenge right off the bat, I'm excited."
More:What we learned about Missouri State Lady Bears, Beth Cunningham after exhibition win
Cunningham begins her career as the Lady Bears' head coach against the Tigers at 6 p.m. on Monday.
An offseason of change has Cunningham leading the Lady Bears following the departure of Amaka Agugua-Hamilton who is now the head coach of Virginia. An overturned roster brings in seven newcomers on a team that will look drastically different than the ones in recent years that went on NCAA Tournament runs.
Sydney Wilson, who is a game-time decision for Monday's game with a foot injury, is the most notable returner. She has played in three NCAA Tournaments over her career including a pair of Sweet 16s.
The Lady Bears' newcomers include transfers from Colorado, Kansas and Dayton. Cunningham also brought home former Kickapoo High forward Indya Green who was an All-American at the juco level last season.
On the other side, Mizzou will have a few new looks after an 18-13 year last season that ended in the first round of the WNIT.
Notably, the Tigers return senior forward Hayley Frank, perhaps the greatest girls' high school basketball player in southwest Missouri's history after winning four-straight state titles with Strafford, who is a second-team preseason All-SEC member. The Tigers were picked 12th in the SEC preseason poll.
Mizzou returns four starters but will notably be without star player Aijha Blackwell who transferred to Baylor over the offseason.
The challenge will certainly be there for a young group with a new head coach.
"I think, more than anything, it's just about us being dialed in and being focused on what we need to do to get better," Cunningham said. "It will be a challenge and I'm excited. I think we'll hopefully see the best of our team."
Mizzou @ Missouri State
When: Monday, 6 p.m.
Where: Great Southern Bank Arena; Springfield
Watch: ESPN+
Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, by email at wwheeler@news-leader.com or Twitter at @WyattWheeler_NL. He's also the co-host of Sports Talk on Jock Radio weekdays from 4-6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State women's basketball to host Mizzou on Monday
