The 2020–21 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2020, followed by the start of the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November.

Conference play began in January 2021.

The preseason awards and coaches' poll was released by the league office on October 14, 2020.

[1] This table summarizes the head-to-head results between teams in conference play.

Throughout the season, the Missouri Valley Conference named a player of the week and a newcomer of the week each Monday.