Just making the cut, the Missouri Tigers found themselves ranked in the top 82, with three of our four analysts placing them within this range. After a rather disappointing season, the Tigers will look to return to relevance within the very tough SEC conference. During the first season of Dennis Gates’ tenure, the team was highly successful. With a record of 25-10, they finished the season with an NCAA Tournament bid, where they were seeded 7th in their region. The fast-paced team ranked 26th in the nation in points per game (PS/G) at 78.9 and 24th in offensive rating, relying heavily on efficiency and shot selection, bolstered by strong and experienced guard play. The Tigers also ranked 36th in field goal percentage (FG%) and 84th in three-point field goal percentage (3FG%). However, their season came to an end in the second round of the 2022-23 Tournament when they ran into the Cinderella story of Princeton. The roster featured two key players who departed at the end of the season: Kobe Brown, a future first-round draft pick, and D’Moi Hodge.

Looking to recapture their success, the Tigers returned 34.6% of their scoring from the previous season and 43.3% of the minutes played. Despite returning some experience, the Tigers failed to replicate their previous success. Although a few impact players emerged, the offensive scheme did not click as well as it had the season before. In comparison, the Tigers ranked 135th in two-point field goal percentage (2FG%) and 289th in three-point field goal percentage (3FG%), finishing with the 220th ranked offense in the country based on points per game (72.2). What happened? The Missouri offense became overly reliant on a heliocentric approach. Sean East II was asked to do a lot with little support, despite his standout numbers—17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game on shooting splits of 52.1/45/85.6. Unfortunately, his supporting cast was much less effective. The roster construction this season was somewhat redundant, with 11 guards listed under 6’6″ and limited frontcourt depth.

This upcoming season, Missouri will bring back seven returning players, including their second-leading scorer, Tamar Bates, a 2023 top-100 recruit with positional size in Trent Pierce, and 2022 top-100 player Aidan Shaw. However, the excitement largely surrounds the talented recruits and experienced veterans acquired through the transfer portal. The Tigers landed a 5th-year senior from the University of Northern Kentucky, Marques Warrick, who averaged 19.9 points per game last season. Additionally, they secured an experienced 5th-year lead guard, Tony Perkins, from the University of Iowa, who averaged 14 points per game along with 4 rebounds and assists last season. While it may be controversial, but I believe the Tigers snagged a steal from the transfer portal in Mark Mitchell from Duke University. A top-25 recruit in 2022, Mitchell brings significant high-level experience as a two-year starter in the ACC. Beyond the transfer portal, Gates will welcome some highly talented recruits, including the 33rd-ranked prospect Annor Boateng, a 6’6″ small forward from Little Rock Central High School, and four-star recruit Peyton Marshall, a 7’0″, 300-pound force who played at OTE last season. The Tigers also continue to build their size by adding four-star prospect Trent Burns, a 7’3″, 210-pound center from PSAT Academy.

In total, Missouri is bringing back 34.4% of their minutes from last season, leaving ample room for these newcomers to make an immediate impact. The roster construction somewhat mirrors what Gates assembled during his first season with the Tigers. He will look to recapture success with strong veteran guard play, dynamic and skilled wings, and the interior size needed to compete against the tough SEC competition they will face.