Mizzou turns page to Long Island, following signature win over Kansas
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Mizzou Men's Basketball is returning to action for the first time since upsetting then-No. 1 ranked Kansas in court-storming fashion.
After a six-day break, MU is preparing for Long Island University (LIU) to pay a visit to Mizzou Arena on Saturday, Dec. 14.
The Tigers are entering Saturday's showdown in the midst of an eight-game winning streak, fresh off a signature victory over the team's rival from the west. Mizzou's win over Kansas marked the program's first win over the No. 1 ranked team in the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 rankings since 1997 and its first victory over the Jayhawks since the rivalry resumed in 2021. Although a win in that fashion can potentially be emotionally-draining, MU has been preparing since the summer to stay focused and handle the highs and lows of the season.
"What we did in June was talk about ourselves as the most important opponent and not having dips in our energy, not having distractions on or off the court, and on the court distractions, talked about bouncing back from highs, not just lows or the roller coaster of emotions that come with the season," head coach Dennis Gates said at Friday's press conference. "We've talked about these moments in script, and our guys even mentioned it before I mentioned it in the locker room after our last victory. It's been their message all along."
"Our focus from that game was to just remain humble, remain focused, see the vision, take it one game at a time because every game is important," Mizzou center Josh Gray said.
You can watch the full press conferences with Coach Gates and Gray in the video slideshow above.
Over the course of its 8-1 start to the 2024-25 campaign, Mizzou has forged one of the top scoring offenses in the SEC. MU is averaging 89.4 points per game, which is ranked No. 2 in the conference, and its .518 team field goal percentage is also the second-best mark in the league. Additionally, the Tigers own the No. 2-ranked margin of victory in the SEC this season, defeating their opponents by an average of 22.6 points per outing. However, Coach Gates wants to see his team improve some other areas of its game during the home stretch of non-conference play.
"As a team, we've got to continue to take care of the basketball. I think possession-by-possession that's important. I would like to have some more inside basketballs. When I say inside baskets, you got to have a balance, back to the basket, and I think Josh Gray, Peyton Marshall, Mark Mitchell, Aidan Shaw, they can provide that," Gates said. "Last but not least is making sure our defense is available and ready every single day, and I think when it comes down to doing that, you got to close possessions from rebounding."
South Carolina transfer Josh Gray has established himself as a key source of MU's rebounds. The 7-foot, 260-pound center is currently leading the team in offensive and defensive rebounding, including an average of 5.8 rebounds per game.
"When it comes to rebounding, I like to rebound the ball. I like to get extra possessions for my team. I like to shut the opposing team down to just one possession, and I especially don't want the guy that I'm guarding to get the basketball," Gray said.
Mizzou's opponent on Saturday poses a much different challenge than its most recent opponent. LIU, a member of the Northeast Conference, holds a lackluster 4-8 overall record through its first 12 games of the season, averaging just 71.8 points per game. The Sharks have also lost five of their last six contests. Despite LIU's tough start to the 2024-25 campaign, Coach Gates and his group are not overlooking Saturday's opponent.
"LIU is a great team, coached by Rod Strickland. Definitely a very feisty, hard-nosed bunch of guys that's going to come in here and give their very best."
Tipoff at Mizzou Arena is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14.
