As for questions about some of our preseason opponents in these "exhibition" games, I note that the NCAA apparently allows play BETWEEN D1 teams in preseason play. WVU just played D1 George Mason in a preseason "Charity" game up in Morganhole!! The EERS had previously done this during Huggins' tenure also.
Imagine one key is to schedule a "nearby" opponent, so their travel costs are minimized. Then I assume a school needs to find an opponent willing to travel and play the game for minimum $$$$$, meaning maybe funds covering their costs, and little else, given that the game is for a "charity". Believe WVU does/did it for the Children's Hospital up in that City.
Why couldn't MU do a similar charity event, playing a real, "legit" opponent? Contact EKU, Morehead, ETSU, VMI, etc., to see if they would be willing to play such a game. Of course, we know Coach D, would be leery of facing a foe who might just be capable of defeating MU! Specifically, such legitimate, nearby teams, e.g., Morehead, and EKU, whom, for some "strange" reason(s), we no longer play annually!!