RECAP: Emotional senior day celebration sends Mizzou hoops into postseason with clean slate
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
No. 15 Mizzou men's basketball didn't necessarily end the regular-season the way they would've hoped. The Tigers lost three-straight at the end of the conference slate, giving up a combined 284 points in those losses. Despite that skid, head coach Dennis Gates' team did end things on a high note in their final game at Mizzou Arena.
On Saturday, following the loss to No. 19 Kentucky, MU took time to honor a standout group of seven seniors.
Guards Tamar Bates, Caleb Grill, Marques Warrick, Tony Perkins and Jermey Sanchez, as well as center Josh Gray and forward Jacob Crews have all played their final game at home. After the game, those players were joined by their families and loved ones and greeted on the court by applause and a hug from their head coach.
Gates actually took a moment to address the Arena and his team, following the senior day celebration. With tears in his eyes, he told his players just how much they mean to him.
"You guys are a special group," Gates said, during his speech. "I love you. This is always home. MIZ."Â
During the postgame press conference, ABC 17 Sports Director Nathalie Jones asked him about the emotion that came during the senior day festivities. Gates said he made it clear how much this 2024-25 group means to him.
"This doesn't happen if players don't believe," he said. "When you allow, you know, barriers to be broken and trust to be built, that's what you saw take place and, obviously, you know, the job's not done yet."Â
The entire Tiger team, but especially the senior class, was a part of one of the best turn-around seasons in college hoops, following an 0-18 run in conference action just one year ago. However, now the group will look to take that turn-around even further.
A new season begins on Thursday, March 13 down in Nashville, Tenn. when the Tigers take the hardwood for the SEC Tournament.
"When you look at the history of the NCAA Tournament, some winners have finished right where we are, so we're excited about SEC Tournament. It's an opportunity for us to win a SEC Tournament Championship," Coach Gates said.
No. 7-seeded Mizzou will tip off at 6 p.m. against either Mississippi State or LSU on Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena.
Until then, you can watch ABC 17 Sports Director Nathalie Jones' full recap of the senior day festivities, as well as a look ahead to the SEC Tournament, in the video player above.
