Emporia State Hornets Unveil Challenging 2024-25 Men's Basketball Schedule

Emporia State University has released its highly anticipated 2024-25 men's basketball schedule, setting the stage for a thrilling season under the leadership of first-year head coach Tom Billeter. The Hornets will face a formidable slate of opponents, including several teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season, as they look to build on their recent success and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the MIAA conference.

Emporia State Hornets Poised for Tough Test in 2024-25 Season

Challenging Non-Conference Slate Awaits Hornets

The Emporia State Hornets will not have the luxury of easing into the 2024-25 season, as they face a daunting non-conference schedule that includes four games against teams that made the NCAA Tournament last year. The Hornets will open their campaign with an exhibition game at Wichita State, a familiar foe they have faced in exhibition contests for the past decade. This will serve as a valuable warm-up before the Hornets travel to the Hillyard Tip-off Classic in St. Joseph, Missouri, where they will take on Wayne State (Neb.) and Northern State.The Hornets' road trip continues as they head to Kirksville, Missouri, to face former MIAA member Truman State, followed by a matchup against William Jewell in Liberty, Missouri. The Hornets will then embark on a journey to Grand Junction, Colorado, where they will take on Fort Lewis and host school Colorado-Mesa, both of whom were NCAA Tournament participants last season.

Hornets Aim to Defend Home Court in MIAA Play

After their challenging non-conference slate, the Hornets will make their home debut on December 1 against Peru State before opening MIAA play on December 5 against 11-time defending MIAA regular season champion Northwest Missouri. The Hornets will then hit the road for their MIAA opener against Missouri Western on December 7 before returning home for a pair of non-conference games against Sterling and Rockhurst.The new year will bring a renewed focus on MIAA play, as the Hornets host Central Missouri on January 2 and welcome in-state rival Washburn for the Turnpike Tussle on January 4. A quirk in the schedule will see the Hornets travel to Fort Hays State on January 9 before returning home to face Nebraska-Kearney on January 11. The Hornets and Ichabods will then meet for the second time in 11 days when Emporia State travels to Topeka on January 15.

Hornets Embark on Challenging Road Trips

The Hornets' schedule features several challenging road trips, including a stretch that sees them travel to Pittsburg State on February 6 and Missouri Southern on February 8 before returning home to face Fort Hays State on February 12. The Hornets will then head to Nebraska-Kearney on February 15 due to a scheduling conflict at White Auditorium, where the Emporia Arts Council is hosting a Michael Jackson tribute show.The Hornets will wrap up their regular season with a trip down the turnpike to take on Newman on February 22 before returning home to face Missouri Western on February 26. The Hornets will then travel to Northwest Missouri on March 1 for the final game of the regular season, as they open and close the conference slate against the Bearcats.

Experienced Coach Billeter Brings Winning Pedigree to Emporia State

The Hornets will be led by first-year head coach Tom Billeter, who brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to Emporia State. Billeter spent the past 21 seasons as the head coach at NCAA Division II Augustana, where he compiled a 393-224 record and led the Vikings to nine NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 2016 NCAA Division II National Championship.Billeter has brought in 11 new players, including seven transfers and four freshmen, to join the five returners from last year's squad that went 19-12. The Hornets have averaged 20.3 wins per game over the past three seasons, and with Billeter's guidance, they will look to continue their winning ways and make a deep run in the MIAA and NCAA Tournaments.