Mizzou hoops prepares to open up second season under Dennis Gates
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Year two under Mizzou men's basketball coach Dennis Gates is almost upon us. The Tigers will tip off the season against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Monday, Nov. 6 at 7:00 p.m.
In his first year at the helm of MU basketball, Coach Gates made some history. He led the group to its first 25-win season in years, made the program's first-ever appearance in an SEC Tournament Semifinal and won Mizzou's first NCAA Tournament game in 13 years. However, in the off season, he has made it clear that that season fell short of the goals that his team had set.
Once again, in year two, the goal for his Tiger team is two dates in April: the 6th and the 8th. That is when the NCAA Final Four will be played in Phoenix.
Although Mizzou fans may have some excitement for the upcoming season, the feeling amongst other coaches and SEC media is not quite the same. Once again, the Tigers were picked to finish in the bottom half of the SEC, No. 11 out of 14 teams.
"I think there's still a level of expectation internally that does not meet the expectation externally," Gates said in a press conference on Friday. "I don't want any complacency seeping into our program, but I want to be able to exceed our own internal expectations, but also not get distracted with where the media or fellow coaches have us ranked in the non-conference or at the beginning of the season. When you look at those, historically, it never pans out. It never is consistent."
You can watch the full press conference with Coach Gates in the video player below.
Gates said the upcoming schedule for the 2023-24 season is more difficult, including the opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, on Monday. Despite the challenges ahead, his goals for his team this season remain the same: have a positive assist-to-turnover ratio, shoot from 3-point range at a high percentage, lead the country in free throw percentage and ignite their offense with their defense.
There are a few players returning for 2023-24 that know the expectations. Gates said that guys like forward Noah Carter and guards Nick Honor and Sean East have cemented themselves as starters this season.
"I think those guys give us a unique starting trio. From there, we have to figure out who else is deserving. I just expect those three to be an anchor for us and lead the charge," Gates said.
East will be playing in his final season opener, on Monday, as he is entering his final year of eligibility.
"I'm kind of anxious, but trying to stay level headed at the same time," he said.
You can watch the full press conference with East in the video player below.
There will also be plenty of new faces on the floor for Gates and company. Transfers Caleb Grill, Curt Lewis, John Tonje, Connor Vanover and others will expect to contribute in a big way, right away, for the Tigers.
Gates is no stranger to mixing new faces with the old, as in his first season he put together an entirely new roster. He said he wants this year's group to grow together, throughout the season, just like last year's did.
"They grew through the adversity," Gates said. "The fans were there to support our guys and help in that nurturing process. I think the same will happen this year, when our fans are able to provide the energy and guess what, kids are gonna get better game by game, week by week. It's a long season and we just want to start one game at a time."
Mizzou and Arkansas-Pine Bluff will tip off at 7 p.m. on Monday at Mizzou Arena.
