Season Preview: Men's Basketball
As the 2025-26 season approaches, the MAC Cardinals are gearing up for a challenging schedule and hoping to build momentum under 2nd year Head Coach Tony Irons. The MAC basketball program has a strong tradition, including multiple conference championships, Region 16 titles and national tournament appearances.
Non-Conference Showcases
Mineral Area opens a busy slate of early season tournaments and quality opponents:
- Oct 31 (Fri) 5:00 PM CDT vs. John A. Logan College (at Three Rivers Classic) — John A. Logan enters the season ranked No. 20 in the preseason poll.
- Nov 1 (Sat) 3:00 PM CDT vs. Gulf Coast State College (1st Midwest Bank Classic, Poplar Bluff) — Gulf Coast State comes in at No. 14.
- Nov 5 (Wed) 7:00 PM CST vs. #18 Barton Community College
- Nov 7 (Fri) 1:00 PM CST vs. #11 Triton College
- Nov 8 (Sat) 2:00 PM CST vs. Highland Community College – Illinois — Highland brings a strong challenge.
- And additional non-conference games against Lake Land, Wabash Valley and others to round out a competitive early slate.
These matchups will serve as key measuring sticks.
Region 16 Play & Late Season Challenge
Once the Cardinals move into January and beyond, the bulk of the grind will be within the Region 16 schedule. Key Region 16 contests will include State Fair CC, MSU-West Plains, Three Rivers and #22 Moberly. A road game at #13 Indian Hills in late February will prepare the Cardinals for the postseason.
Postseason
The 2025-26 Cardinals have high hopes of regular and postseason success in March. One thing is certain, MAC will be battle tested with one of the most challenging schedules in the nation.