Mizzou set to renew Border Showdown with rival Kansas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Dennis Gates and the Mizzou Men's Basketball team are preparing to face the No. 2 ranked Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday night, renewing one of college basketball's most storied rivalries. The Tigers will be searching for their first win against Kansas since Feb. 2012 and the team's first victory at Allen Fieldhouse since 1999.

Gates and seven current Mizzou basketball players got to experience the rivalry for the first time last season. In last year's contest, the Tigers fell to the Jayhawks 95-67 at Mizzou Arena in the first Border Showdown in Columbia since 2012. Gates said last season's loss to Kansas provided a valuable learning lesson for last year's team, but he isn't thinking about the past while preparing for Saturday's contest.

"We're looking at this as a completely different game, a completely different environment," Gates said at Thursday's press conference. "We have several guys that are a year older into this game, knowing what's going on with it."

You can watch the full press conference with Mizzou basketball coach Dennis Gates in the video player below.

While Mizzou recognizes that both teams are different compared to the last time they met, the Tigers who played in last season's game have not forgotten about the outcome.

"You can't really forget certain things. We kind of still have a sour taste in our mouth from last year, but once again, it's a new team. It's a new year, so we're just going to put our best foot forward," Nick Honor said on Thursday.

You can watch the full press conference with Mizzou guard Nick Honor in the video player below.

Entering Saturday's game, Kaleb Brown is the only returning Mizzou basketball player who has experienced the Border Showdown at Allen Fieldhouse. Brown will miss the rest of this season due to a stress reaction in his left shin. However, Gates credited Mizzou's road schedule for helping his crew prepare to play in a tough road environment and recognizes that past teams have been able to leave Allen Fieldhouse with a win.

"We know Kansas has a great home court advantage. That's documented, but that doesn't mean we're going to go in there and not compete to the best of our ability," Gates said. "Teams have been able to conquer Phog Allen, and ultimately, our job is to be the next opponent to try to do that."

Iowa State transfer Caleb Grill is another Tiger who has experienced Allen Fieldhouse but hasn't played in the Border Showdown. Despite Saturday's game being the first time Grill will experience this rivalry, he has shared with his teammates what it's like to play at that venue.

"He's just said you've got to stay strong with your leads," Honor said. "We've just got to stay strong and persistent throughout the battle."

When the Tigers travel to Kansas, Mizzou will also be looking to earn its fifth consecutive win. Gates' crew won its fourth straight contest 82-72 back on Dec. 3 against Wichita State. Mizzou's record sits at 7-2 heading into Saturday's rivalry game with just four non-conference matchups remaining on the Tigers' schedule before SEC play begins.

Tipoff for the Border Showdown at Allen Fieldhouse is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 9 at 4:15 p.m.