Mizzou hoops days away from official start of Dennis Gates era
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Mizzou men's basketball team will open up the regular season on Nov. 7 against Southern Indiana at Mizzou Arena. In the months leading up the opener, first-year head coach Dennis Gates said he has put his team in lots of team-buildings situations to grow chemistry.
Watch extended highlights from the Tigers' practice in the video player below.
In total, MU returned just three players from the 2021-22 squad, with the most notable being senior forward Kobe Brown.
On Wednesday, Brown was named a first-team preseason all-SEC selection, becoming the first Tiger in five years to collect first-team preseason honors.
"My hats off to Cuonzo Martin and his staff for the development of that young man, but also the recruiting. It shows the amount of love that Kobe has for this institution and sometimes rewards do come to those that are patient and the good guys," Gates said. "We're excited about his development, as well. He's improved in some areas that I think you all will notice."
In his junior year, Brown led the team in scoring, rebounding, and steals. The Alabama-native's preseason selection marked the first time since Michael Porter Jr. that the Tiger received first-team recognition.
"I'm coming to the realization that I am one of the older guys now," he said. "I'm realizing that I've been here in the same place for four years. It's a blessing to be able to do that, a lot of guys don't get the opportunity."
You can watch the full press conference with Brown in the video player below.
The team emphasized how much competition drives the team. Rock Bridge alum and senior guard Isiaih Mosley said that this team is all about iron sharpening iron.
"It's not a day off in practice. Everybody is fighting, fighting for each other. We know how big this is for everybody," Mosley said.
You can watch the full press conference with Mosley in the video player below.
Mizzou brought in a lot of new faces from around the country. Gates said that his starting rotation could change game-to-game, depending on thee match ups.
"There are seven to eight guys that can start, without a doubt, but I can't tell you we'll have the same starting lineup for the entire season, that would be unfair for me to say," he said.
Gates added that the 2022-23 season will not be an easy one. He said that his team will have to fight for everything they get, but their goal is to grow throughout the year.
The Tigers will tip off against Southern Indiana on Monday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at Mizzou Arena.
