The Emporia State basketball teams tipped off the 2026-27 season with Late Night at White on Wednesday. The Hornets welcomed hundreds of fans to White Auditorium where the Hornets scrimmaged and put on a show for the fans. Women’s head coach MJ Baker is entering her second year with the program and couldn’t be more excited to start the season with the fan support she saw at Late Night.
Tom Billeter is ready for his third year on the bench for the men and shares her sentiment.
Lexsey DeWitt is ready for her junior season and said she knows as an Emporian how important the team is to the city.
Returner Treyvon Taylor loved seeing the community support.
The Lady Hornets are coming off a 15-15 season that saw ESU wrap up its season in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Tournament. ESU was picked 10th in the MIAA women’s basketball preseason poll and ninth by the media. They open the season at the MIAA-GAC Challenge on November 12 in Arkadelphia, Ark. The Hornets finished 9-19 in 2025-26 and missed the MIAA Tournament. The Black & Gold were picked 12th in the coaches poll and 13th by the media. The Hornets open the year for the third-straight season at the Hillyard Tipoff Classic hosted by Missouri Western at the MWSU Fieldhouse in St. Joseph, Mo. Find the broadcast schedule at KVOE.com/calendar with most games airing on Mix 104.9.
