Dive into the Heart of Mizzou Athletics

The Tigers are looking to keep their eyes forward and put the woes of last season behind them.

A new season awaits for head coach Dennis Gates and the Missouri Tigers with the message being clear, this season is a new one and the woes of last season are in the past. Gates reflected that in his opening statements at Missouri’s first open media day of the season.

“You can’t predict the things that we went through last year, but I’m not focused on last year,” Gates said. “I’m focused on what’s coming forward and what’s moving forward.”

The ground zero mentality from Gates and his crew is a welcome one, as the Tigers finished last season 8-24 with an 0-18 record in conference play. The ceiling for this group is nothing to scoff at, as Gates is shooting for the stars.

“Our goal is to play in the Alamodome,” Gates said.

This season’s Final Four will be hosted in San Antonio, a feat that Missouri has never accomplished in its history. Incoming Northern Kentucky transfer Marques Warrick, corroborated Gates’ high goals.

“Our goal is to win at whatever cost. We all have certain roles and things we need to do,” Warrick said. “For me individually, just doing the best to help this team win.”

Warrick comes in as the NCAA’s leader in points among active players, bringing a needed veteran presence to a lineup headlined by its younger stars. One of those younger stars is Marcus Allen, a 6-7 freshman out of Florida, labeled as the No. 74 recruit in the country by ESPN.

“We have a great group; we love playing with each other,” Allen said. “That atmosphere and that camaraderie is what brings us together.”

Words like that are specifically why Gates has such high praise for this group, a group he says that “understands their obstacles.”

“Our guys have diligently been working hard and giving their very best while connecting on all cylinders,” Gates said. “I’m excited about this group and looking forward to the sounds of [Mizzou Arena].”

While the praise is high, the approach to this group in particular is a precise one for the third year head coach. The tally of newcomers this season is eleven, making the idea of building chemistry a focal point as the season approaches.

“We want to make sure these guys are connected in a certain way, not just physically when they go out and perform,” Gates said. “But emotionally and mentally so they have the endurance to stick together and do the things necessary while sharpening each others’ blade everyday.”

For most in the college basketball world, it is hard to overlook the future with this Missouri Tiger squad with a boatload of promising newcomers. However, with veterans such as Warrick, Tamar Bates, and Caleb Grill this team is poised to try and make a run at postseason basketball after a disappointing end to last season. The excitement among this group is palpable and only one question remains—can this group put out the performance that backs up their words ahead of the season.