Look, if you’re trying to keep up with the SEMO men's basketball schedule this year, you’ve probably realized it's a bit of a rollercoaster. One minute the Redhawks are grinding out a defensive battle in the OVC, and the next, they're heading into a high-stakes televised matchup that has the whole town of Cape Girardeau buzzing. People think following mid-major hoops is just about checking a box score on Saturday morning, but honestly, it's way more intense than that.
Brad Korn is in his sixth year now. You can see his fingerprints all over how this team plays—tough, scrappy, and never really "out" of a game even when the shots aren't falling. But to actually follow the team, you need to know where they are, who they’re playing, and why certain stretches of the schedule matter more than others.
The Current State of the 2025-26 Season
As of mid-January 2026, the Redhawks are sitting at a 9-8 overall record. If you’re a glass-half-full kind of person, you’re looking at that 4-2 conference record and feeling pretty good. They’ve already picked up some big-time wins against Tennessee State and Southern Indiana.
What's interesting is how they’ve defended the Show Me Center. Playing at home is basically a different sport for these guys. They’ve knocked off Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois in Cape, and that home-court advantage is going to be the literal make-or-break factor for their seeding in the OVC Tournament come March.
Key Matchups You Can't Miss
We are right in the thick of a massive four-game homestand. This is the part of the SEMO men's basketball schedule where momentum is either built or completely lost.
- Lindenwood (January 15): This was a huge one. It wasn't just another game; it was televised on ESPNU. For a school like SEMO, getting that national linear TV exposure is massive. It’s the first of six OVC games hitting the national airwaves this season.
- SIU Edwardsville (January 17): A classic Saturday afternoon tip-off at 3:45 PM. These regional rivalries always get a bit chippy, and the Cougars aren't exactly known for playing "nice" basketball.
- UT Martin (January 20): This is a rare Tuesday night game. Usually, the OVC sticks to that Thursday/Saturday rhythm, but the schedule-makers threw a curveball here. Tip-off is at 7:30 PM.
- Little Rock (January 22): The Trojans are always a handful. Closing out a four-game homestand against them is a tall order, but if SEMO wants to stay in the top tier of the conference, they have to protect the paint in this one.
Why the Non-Conference Slump Didn't Matter
If you looked at the schedule back in November, you might have panicked. Losses to Saint Louis, Missouri, and Iowa were tough to swallow. But honestly? That’s by design.
Brad Korn scheduled those "buy games" to toughen the roster. Going into Mizzou Arena and hanging tough (they only lost 89-84) showed that this team has a high ceiling. They also took a trip out to Flagstaff, Arizona, for a Thanksgiving tournament, beating Cal Poly before dropping a close one to Northern Arizona. Those miles on the road are what prepared them for the current conference grind.
The Roster Impact
You can’t talk about the schedule without talking about who’s actually playing the minutes. Luke Almodovar has been the spark plug, averaging just under 14 points per game. Then you've got the new addition, Blaize Sagna, the transfer guard who joined late in the summer from Stetson. His "London-to-Cape" journey is pretty wild if you think about it, but his maturity has stabilized the backcourt during those high-pressure road games.
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Looking Ahead: The February Gauntlet
Once January wraps up with road trips to Western Illinois and Eastern Illinois, the month of February is basically a sprint to the finish line.
- February 5: vs. Morehead State (The Eagles are always the benchmark in this league).
- February 7: vs. Southern Indiana (Expect a loud crowd for this one).
- February 17: at UT Martin (The return leg of the Tuesday night series).
- February 28: vs. Tennessee Tech (The regular-season finale).
The goal is simple: Finish in the top eight to get to Evansville. The OVC Championship is set for March 4-7 at the Ford Center. If SEMO stays on their current trajectory, they aren't just going to be there—they’re going to be a team nobody wants to see in their bracket.
Actionable Steps for Redhawks Fans
If you want to stay on top of everything, don't just rely on a single source. Here is how you actually track the SEMO men's basketball schedule like a pro:
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- Check the Show Me Center Site: The arena's official event list often has updated tip-off times that reflect late changes for TV.
- Tune into Real Rock 99.3 FM: Erik Sean is the voice of the Redhawks. If you can't be at the game, his radio broadcast is the gold standard for getting the "feel" of the play-by-play.
- Download the ESPN App: Since most OVC games are on ESPN+, you can "favorite" SEMO to get push notifications for every tip-off and final score.
- Watch for Tuesday Shifts: Remember that the schedule isn't just Thursdays and Saturdays anymore; those occasional Tuesday games (like the UT Martin one on Jan 20) can sneak up on you.
The road to Evansville is never a straight line. It's full of weird travel schedules, bus rides through the Midwest, and gritty defensive stands. Grab your tickets for the remaining home games at the Show Me Center and support the team while they’ve got the momentum.