Dennis Gates works to assemble puzzle of Tigers’ 2026-27 roster
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A new season brings a new puzzle for Mizzou men's basketball coach Dennis Gates.
After hosting his annual pro day for NBA scouts, on Sunday, the leader of the Tigers is confident that his team has the talent it takes to compete. Now, the challenge is figuring out how each piece fits together.
"My job is to get a core of guys, a core of talent, into the right spots," Gates said.
One of those core guys is forward Mark Mitchell, who continues to battle for eligibility through the court system. The Kansas City native brings experience in the program, physicality and the ability to create opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Gates believes Mitchell’s playmaking could become even more valuable alongside a versatile frontcourt.
"Mark is a very good passer," Gates said. "I think he has to get better at his rebounding per minute, and that will allow him to do it and focus on those things defensively."
Former Kansas forward Bryson Tiller will add size and versatility to the MU roster, while fellow big man Toni Bryant brings length and shooting touch. Together, along with Mitchell, the trio could give Mizzou some options on both ends of the floor.
"Toni can stretch the floor, and Bryson. But, I don’t want Bryson to just settle,"Gates said. "So I want Mark Mitchell to be able to find those guys, and you’ll have a versatile lineup."
However, the puzzle Coach Gates will look to assemble extends well beyond the front court.
Freshman Jason Crowe Jr. brings scoring ability, while Tolton Catholic product Aaron Rowe adds speed. Transfer Jamier Jones provides athleticism, and returning leader Trent Pierce joins transfer Cord Stansberry as a key voice in the locker room.
"Those two guys specifically, they’re the core of our leadership," Gates said of Pierce and Stansberry.
While the roster features a variety of individual strengths, they all must come together. Gates emphasized that the Tigers have to build a foundation of defense, rebounding and ball security.
"We have to be able to defend, we have to be able to rebound the basketball and we have to be able to take care of the basketball," he said.
Turning that potential into production is going to depend on a whole lot more than just the individual talent that comprises the 2026-27 roster. Mizzou is going to also need to building on chemistry, limit its mistakes and develop and identity that can hold up through the highs and lows of a season.
"The most important skill, the most important stat is obviously the wins and losses," Gates said. "Who’s impacting winning?"
For Gates, that question may help determine how the rotation takes shape, this season.
"The disposition of a team is important," he said. "How a team comes together and responds to each other, but also during the ups and downs, what is that identity?"
Mizzou will get its first chance to face another team on Friday, Oct. 23, when Gates and company make the trip to Manhattan, Kansas to meet Kansas State.
