Copyright ABC17News.com
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) For the second-straight season, the Mizzou men's basketball team will tip off a brand new season on the road. The Tigers are set for a clash with Howard University in our nation's capitol on Monday, Nov. 3. Head coach Dennis Gates said there's quite a few advantages to starting off the year with an away game, including finding out what the identity of his squad is. "Being able to get on that road just gives you a different focus and a different training regimen, leading into your first game. We were able to do that comfortably with a home [exhibition] game against [Kansas State]. So, now can we go out on the road and continue the things we've been working on all summer? The identity is what I want to build and being on the road allows us to build that," Gates said. You can watch the full press conference with Coach Gates in the video player below. Gates added that Howard will provide his guys with a hostile environment to play in, as well as a true test on the court. These two squads met in the 2024-25 campaign, as a part of their three-game deal, as well. In that meeting, Mizzou secured a 77-62 victory over the Bison at Mizzou Arena. However, last year's success, doesn't grant the same result in a new year. Howard is returning senior guard Bryce Harris for another season, after he's grappled with injury over the course of his career. Last season, the preseason Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year only played seven games due to a season-ending injury. But, in those games he did play he notched a pair of double-doubles and reached 1,000 career points and 500 career rebounds. "I truly believe this team would have went to three-straight NCAA Tournaments had he been healthy," Gates said. "He's healthy now. Sure, he has different teammates, they have about 10 newcomers, but that kid will play in the NBA, G-League at some point. There's no doubt about it. But, they play a team game and I'm excited to put my team on the road against a great program." Coach Gates and company will enter Monday's game fresh off of an exhibition win, 100-91, over Kansas State on Oct. 25. In that game, Gates thought his team did a great job taking care of the basketball, as the Tigers ended that game with 12 turnovers. However, the best thing for him was that he was able to get multiple guys on the court, into double-digit minutes. When the leader of the Tigers was asked about where he highlighted that his group needs to improve from that exhibition win, he said it all still comes down to chemistry. "Well, it's about how guys mesh and team building and player development and what we've done in our, pursuit of excellence since June 1st. Does those things come to fruition?" he said. "From an execution standpoint, we saw things show up and I'm excited about it. Mark Mitchell, [Anthony Robinson] and Sebastian Mac are probably three of the best college players at drawing fouls. They're all downhill guys. You look at their consistent stats in those areas. They've done a great job, so to speak, in that area of execution. In addition to that, you're able to see, the growth of a T.O. Barrett, Annor Boateng, you get to see Robinson's development, Mark Mitchell's development, all the work behind the scenes, you get to see. You get to see the leadership of our returners, how they put their hands and arms around the new guys, and when I say the new guys I mean our freshmen and those that transferred from other programs...Shawm Phillips Jr. has gotten better. Sebastian Mack has gotten better. Jayden Stone has gotten better. Luke Northweather has definitely gotten better. Jevon Porter has gotten better. I'm excited about those guys out of the portal getting better." Through those portal additions, Coach Gates was able to add more length and size to his roster than he's ever had before. Mizzou returned 7-foot-5 center Trent Burns, who is recovering from a procedure on his foot. But, the team also added another 7-footer in the offseason, with the addition of center Shawn Phillips Jr. "Vertical threats, right, think that's important. Having a presence in the paint of his disposition, I think when you guys see him play, you're probably looking at 'man, we hadn't had that in some years here at Missouri, no matter what season it's been.' To have an athletic 7-footer, who shows potential and not just potential, but as you look at his last ten games being able to average near double-double and flirt around with that in addition to shot-blocking is something that's needed in college basketball and is something that gives you a edge," Gates said. "It's a different threat, offensively and defensively. He's quick off the ground, he has a high basketball IQ, his teammates love him. He's a great teammate." Mizzou will tip off Coach Gates' fourth season at the helm on Monday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. CT at Howard University.
