Missouri Tigers Men’s Basketball: Roster Changes, Strengths, Weaknesses, and Challenges

Estimated read time 7 min read

The Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team is a college basketball team that represents the University of Missouri. The team competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

  • Team Name: Missouri Tigers
  • Short Name: Mizzou
  • Team Owner(s): The University of Missouri
  • Prominent Players:
    • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
    • Steve Alford
    • Danny Manning
    • Keith Smart
    • Anthony Davis
    • Michael Porter Jr.
    • Jontay Porter
    • Jeremiah Tilmon
    • Mark Smith
  • Home Arena: Mizzou Arena

The Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team is a college basketball team that represents the University of Missouri. The team competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Tigers have won two national championships, in 1942 and 1982. They have also won 10 SEC regular season championships and 6 SEC tournament championships.

Some of the most prominent players in Missouri Tigers men’s basketball history include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Steve Alford, Danny Manning, Keith Smart, Anthony Davis, Michael Porter Jr., Jontay Porter, Jeremiah Tilmon, and Mark Smith.

The Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team is a popular team in the SEC. They have a large and passionate fan base. The team is always a contender for the SEC title and the NCAA Tournament.

History about Missouri Tigers men’s basketball Team

The Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team was founded in 1899. The team’s first head coach was Henry “Bud” Foster. The Tigers played their first game on January 12, 1899, against the University of Kansas. The Tigers lost the game 10-4.

The Tigers have had a lot of success over the years. They have won two national championships, in 1942 and 1982. They have also won 10 SEC regular season championships and 6 SEC tournament championships.

The Tigers have had some great players over the years. Some of the most prominent players in Missouri Tigers men’s basketball history include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Steve Alford, Danny Manning, Keith Smart, Anthony Davis, Michael Porter Jr., Jontay Porter, Jeremiah Tilmon, and Mark Smith.

The Tigers have had a few periods of dominance in their history. They won the national championship in 1942 and 1982. They also won 10 SEC regular season championships in a row from 1940 to 1950.

The Tigers have also had some down years. They went 0-22 in 1994-95. They also went 12-21 in 2004-05.

The Tigers are currently led by head coach Dennis Gates. Gates was hired in 2022. He is the 27th head coach in Missouri Tigers men’s basketball history.

The Tigers play their home games at Mizzou Arena. Mizzou Arena is located in Columbia, Missouri. The arena has a capacity of 15,061.

Here are some of the Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team’s most notable moments in history year-wise:

  • 1942: The Tigers win their first national championship, defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes in the title game.
  • 1950: The Tigers win their 10th consecutive SEC regular season championship.
  • 1982: The Tigers win their second national championship, defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels in the title game.
  • 1994-95: The Tigers go 0-22, their worst season in program history.
  • 2009: The Tigers reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1982.
  • 2012: The Tigers reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009.
  • 2013: The Tigers reach the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season.
  • 2014: The Tigers reach the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament.
  • 2022: The Tigers reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014.

Coaching Staff Information about Missouri Tigers men’s basketball Team

Dennis Gates: Head Coach

  • Gates was hired in 2022. He is the 27th head coach in Missouri Tigers men’s basketball history.
  • Gates previously served as the head coach at Cleveland State University from 2017 to 2022.
  • Gates’ coaching philosophy is based on defense, rebounding, and creating a culture of accountability.

Charlton “C.Y.” Young: Associate Head Coach

  • Young was hired in 2022. He has previously served as an assistant coach at Cleveland State University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Memphis.
  • Young’s coaching philosophy is based on player development and helping players reach their full potential.

David “Dickey” Nutt: Assistant Coach

  • Nutt was hired in 2022. He has previously served as the head coach at Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Arkansas.
  • Nutt’s coaching philosophy is based on discipline, toughness, and playing with a sense of urgency.

Kyle Smithpeters: Assistant Coach

  • Smithpeters was hired in 2022. He has previously served as an assistant coach at the University of Illinois and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
  • Smithpeters’ coaching philosophy is based on teaching the game and helping players improve their skills.

Missouri Tigers men’s basketball Team information about players

PlayerJerseyPositionHeightWeightYear in High SchoolRating
Kobe Brown24Guard6’6″200 lbsSenior4-star
D’Moi Hodge5Guard6’4″190 lbsSenior4-star
DeAndre Gholston4Forward6’7″225 lbsJunior4-star
Noah Carter35Guard6’2″185 lbsJunior3-star
Connor Vanover33Forward7’3″230 lbsSenior5-star
Trevon Brazile22Forward6’8″210 lbsSophomore4-star
Yaya Keita11Forward6’8″215 lbsFreshman4-star
Sean Durugordon10Guard6’5″190 lbsFreshman4-star
Aidan Robbins1Guard6’4″185 lbsFreshman3-star

Missouri Tigers men’s basketball Team’s last 10 years of records

SeasonOverallSECPostseason
2013-1423-129-7NCAA Tournament, Round of 32
2014-1522-128-8NIT, First Round
2015-1619-157-9NIT, First Round
2016-1712-212-14NIT, First Round
2017-1818-167-11NIT, First Round
2018-1917-164-14NIT, First Round
2019-2015-175-13Canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020-2112-184-14NIT, First Round
2021-2223-1211-7NCAA Tournament, Second Round

Season Preview: Missouri Tigers men’s basketball Team

Major changes to the roster: 

The Tigers lost a few key players from last season, including Mark Smith, Xavier Pinson, and Javon Pickett. However, they also added a few talented newcomers, including Sean Durugordon, Aidan Robbins, and Yaya Keita.

Team’s strengths: 

The Tigers’ strengths this season will be their size and athleticism. They have a number of big men who can score inside, and they also have a number of guards who can shoot the three-pointer.

Team’s weaknesses:

The Tigers’ weaknesses this season could be their experience and their depth. They will be a young team, and they will need to find ways to win games without a lot of veteran leadership.

Potential challenges they may face: 

The Tigers could face a few challenges this season. They will be playing in a tough conference, and they will need to find ways to win on the road. They will also need to stay healthy, as they are a young team that could be susceptible to injuries.

Overall, the Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team is a team with a lot of potential. They have a lot of talent, and they could be a dark horse in the SEC this season. However, they will need to overcome some challenges if they want to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Missouri Tiger’s upcoming games:

Missouri Tigers Schedule

DateOpponentTimeTV
November 9vs. Central Arkansas7:00 PMSEC Network+
November 12vs. Alabama State7:00 PMSEC Network+
November 16vs. Saint Louis7:00 PMSEC Network+
November 19vs. Memphis7:00 PMESPN2
November 23vs. South Carolina State7:00 PMSEC Network+
November 26vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff7:00 PMSEC Network+
December 3vs. Utah State7:00 PMESPN2
December 6vs. Oklahoma7:00 PMESPN2
December 10vs. Illinois7:00 PMESPN2
December 17vs. South Carolina12:00 PMCBS
December 21vs. Bradley7:00 PMSEC Network+
December 29vs. Tennessee7:00 PMESPN

FAQs about the Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team

1. What is the team’s nickname?

The Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team is nicknamed the “Tigers.” The nickname was adopted in 1899, and it is a reference to the Fighting Tigers of Columbia, a band of armed Union Home Guards who protected Columbia from Confederate guerrillas during the American Civil War.

2. What is the team’s home arena?

The Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team plays their home games at Mizzou Arena. Mizzou Arena is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it has a capacity of 15,061.

3. Who is the team’s head coach?

The Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team is currently being coached by Dennis Gates. Gates was hired in 2022, and he is the 27th head coach in Missouri Tigers men’s basketball history.

4. What are the team’s colors?

The Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team’s colors are black and gold. The team’s uniforms are typically black with gold lettering and trim.

5. What are the team’s biggest rivals?

The Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team’s biggest rivals are the Kansas Jayhawks, the Arkansas Razorbacks, and the Tennessee Volunteers. These teams have been competing against each other for many years, and the games between them are always highly anticipated.

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