Arkansas Tech opens its 2026-27 men’s basketball season in Wichita at the GAC/MIAA Crossover Challenge, facing Missouri Southern on Friday and host Newman on Saturday. The Wonder Boys are looking to rebound from an 8-20 season and were picked to finish eighth in the Great American Conference.

By the Numbers
  • Arkansas Tech finished 8-20 overall and 6-16 in conference play last season.
  • Missouri Southern went 18-13; Newman finished 5-23.
  • Arkansas Tech plays Missouri Southern Friday, Nov. 13, at 4 p.m., then Newman Saturday, Nov. 14, at 4:30 p.m.
Yes, But

Arkansas Tech’s outlook is challenging: Missouri Southern averaged 83.4 points per game last season and is picked fourth in the MIAA. Newman struggled to a 5-23 record, but the Wonder Boys will be playing on the Jets’ home floor.

State of Play
  • The two games are the season opener for Arkansas Tech and part of a four-team crossover hosted by Newman in Wichita.
  • Coach Mark Downey returns for his seventh season back at Tech; he has a 155-131 record with the program.
What’s Next

Arkansas Tech begins the season with two road tests that will offer an early measure of how the team matches up against MIAA competition.

Bottom Line

The Wonder Boys start the year on the road with a clear challenge: improve on last season while taking on a strong Missouri Southern squad and a Newman team eager to defend its home court.