Coming off a historic occasion last December in which NCAA Division I Women’s College Basketball was played in St. Joseph for the first time, the St. Joseph Sports Commission is proud to announce the match-up for the 2^nd Annual Bill Snyder Women’s Basketball Classic Saturday, December 14 featuring an intriguing non-conference match-up between the Kansas State Wildcats and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.  Tip time for the game is currently set for 5 PM Central Time in Civic Arena.  Our second annual classic is once again proudly presented by Southern Bank.

“We have a lot of sports momentum on several levels in St. Joseph right now and to have the honor of once again hosting Division I Women’s Basketball College Basketball between two programs that won a combined 56 games last season including each winning a game in the NCAA Tournament will be an absolute thrill and must ticket come this December,” said Brett Esely, Executive Director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission.

The title of the game further signifies and celebrates the legend of St. Joseph native and College Football Hall of Fame Coach Bill Snyder.  Snyder’s college resume speaks for itself, but the connection to his hometown remains strong as well.  The Bill Snyder Pavilion was named in his honor on the Missouri Western campus in 2017, he was inducted into the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2021 and for the third straight year, will present the Snyder Woman of Impact Award at the enshrinement ceremonies this August.

Kansas State, from the Big 12 Conference enjoyed a high level of success in 2023-24 as they finished the campaign with a 26-8 record, tying the third most wins in a season in program history and advancing to the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.  The Wildcats achieved the program’s highest national ranking since 2002 (which equaled the highest of all time) being ranked #2 in the January 29 AP Poll.  The Cats are led by Head Coach Jeff Mittie who has several ties to St. Joseph including being a Missouri Western alum and Hall of Fame coach for the Griffons in leading them to two NCAA Elite Eight appearances in the 1993-95 seasons.  Mittie, who will enter his 11^th season at K-State and 34th season overall as a Head Coach, has now won 644 career games.  The Wildcats roster is loaded with talent returning from last year’s team and features a name familiar to those in Northwest Missouri as to be senior guard Serena Sundell from Maryville, continues to not only be one of the best players in the Big 12, but in the country.  Sundell was named First Team All-Big 12 last season and became the first player in program history to record 1,000 or more career points, 500 or more assists and 50 or more blocks.  The Wildcats also return graduate center Ayoka Lee.  Lee is now a four-time First Team All-Big 12 selection and was named an All-American by three different outlets last season.

It’s safe to say that Middle Tennessee from Conference USA is a traditional power.  The Blue Raiders tied a school record for wins a season ago going 30-5, in route to winning the CUSA regular season and conference tournament titles both for the second consecutive season which included going a perfect 16-0 in conference play.  As an 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Blue Raiders upset sixth seeded Louisville before falling to LSU in the round of 32.  MTSU is led in his 20^th season by coach Rick Insell.  Insell has produced unmatched success in Murprheesboro as he’s won 463 career games, achieved 12 NCAA Tournament Appearances, six WNIT’s, coached seven All-Americans and developed four WNBA Draft Picks.  Three starters return from last year’s squad including Anastasiia Boldyreva who was a CUSA First Team All-Conference Selection and the CUSA Defensive Player of the Year.

This will be the 4^thall-time meeting between the two schools including the 2^nd time on a neutral floor with Kansas State holding a 2-1 series advantage. K-State won the first two matchups 54-53 at MTSU in 2001 and 79-61 in Manhattan in 2002.  The Blue Raiders won the most recent match-up in 2010, 63-49 on a neutral court.

“The resumes of both of these teams not only in recent history, but all-time is simply impressive.  To think that a marquee matchup like this between two nationally ranked programs with coaches who have won more than 1,100 career games combined play right here in St. Joseph is an extremely big deal and we look forward to a packed house creating a great environment for this game this December,” Esely stated.

In the inaugural Bill Snyder Classic played December 9, 2023, K-State defeated Mizzou in front of a capacity crowd 84-56.

Ticket information will be released in mid to late August. Sponsorship opportunities for the event are available by contacting the sports commission.

For more information, visit stjomosports.com.

The St. Joseph Sports Commission is a division of the St. Joseph, Missouri Convention & Visitors Bureau.