POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. (Interstat) — The Mineral Area Cardinals and Gulf Coast State Commodores will open their 2025-26 men’s basketball seasons on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the 1st Midwest Bank Classic.

Both junior college programs enter the contest with 0-0 records, looking to establish an early identity. The neutral-site matchup in Poplar Bluff will be the first action for both teams since their 2023-24 campaigns ended in March.

Mineral Area last played on March 9, 2024, falling 75-71 to Moberly Area. Gulf Coast State’s most recent outing was a week earlier, an 87-69 loss to Northwest Florida State on March 2, 2024.

The game serves as the season opener for both squads and kicks off a challenging early schedule for the Cardinals. Following this contest, Mineral Area will play nine of its next ten games against teams from Missouri, Illinois, Texas, and Iowa, beginning with a home game against Barton on Nov. 5.

The Commodores will return to Panama City, Florida, to begin their home schedule on Nov. 7 against Indian River State, the first of five consecutive home games.

Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at the 1st Midwest Bank Classic.