Mizzou head coach Dennis Gates will be entering his third season as leader of the school’s men’s basketball program. (Photo: Cedric Williams)
Terrance Williams
Staff Writer
BIRMINGHAM, AL — University of Missouri men’s basketball coach Dennis Gates made his annual appearance at the Southeastern Conference media days on Tuesday and spoke highly of his new team, as he enters his third season as the leader of the program.
Gates faced the press with candor and insight as he navigated questions covering a wide range of topics, from newcomers to the struggles of last season.
Fresh Faces in the Roster
This year, Mizzou has introduced 11 new players, consisting of five freshmen and six athletes acquired via the transfer portal. When asked about their integration into the team and the playbook, Gates expressed enthusiasm about their progress.
“I’m genuinely excited about our newcomers, the first-year athletes integrating into our program,” Gates said. “I’ve witnessed their adaptability within our institution and the broader community. They’ve been welcomed with open arms.
“Although they hail from diverse backgrounds and various states and programs, they all seem to be settling in nicely. Moreover, the players we recruited through the portal all come from reputable coaching backgrounds, which bodes well for our program.”
Highlighting Boateng’s Potential
Gates raised eyebrows with his commendation of freshman wing Annor Boateng, who is being touted as the highest-ranked recruit for Mizzou since Michael Porter Jr. in 2017.
“Boateng comes to us with an incredible pedigree: a scholar with a 4.0 GPA, a musician who plays the saxophone, and overall, a highly talented young man,” Gates said. “On the court, he’s physical, athletic, and capable of creating his own shots. Given his athleticism, I anticipate he’ll make a significant impact in our conference.”
In discussing Boateng’s adaptation to college basketball, Gates cautiously alluded to the prospect of him making a swift transition to professional play.
“You never know how these things pan out. Practice is one thing; games tell a different story. We’ve had a mix of one-and-dones and seasoned players who stayed the full four years. The true measure of Boateng will come during competitive play, but from what I’ve seen, he stands out as one of the most exceptional freshmen I’ve had the pleasure to coach. I’m thrilled he chose to join us at Missouri.”
Center Swap with South Carolina
A humorous moment arose when Gates was reminded that center Jordan Butler had transitioned to South Carolina while Josh Gray made the opposite move to Mizzou. Gates chuckled, “It feels like we swapped centers with South Carolina.”
Elaborating on Gray’s playing style, he highlighted what the team was missing in the previous season.
“Gray brings valuable SEC experience, having played previously at LSU and South Carolina. He comes from winning environments, and I’m pleased with what he can bring to the table. His physical presence in the low post will be hugely beneficial. His rebounding stats per minute are impressive and exactly what we need,” Gates remarked.
Learning from Last Season
Naturally, Gates was probed about the team’s recovery from last season’s challenging 0-18 conference record and 0-19 finish to the season.
“Life is cyclical, and unlike other paths, you can’t reset to zero. That’s the beauty of college basketball: everyone starts fresh at 0-0,” Gates said. “I appreciate the lessons learned during tough times. Significant growth often stems from adversity, and I’m eager to see how our team rises to the occasion this season. It won’t be easy, but each season presents new opportunities.”
Opportunities for Black Coaches
Gates addressed the underrepresentation of Black head coaches within the SEC and reflected on his own development under the guidance of Florida State’s Leonard Hamilton.
“There are many qualified candidates who remain sidelined. I say this with utmost respect; they’re overqualified. If these coaches can recruit top-level players and learn from Hall of Fame coaches, they must be given chances,” Gates said. “I’m grateful for Hamilton’s mentorship, which guided me through both successes and failures. He empowered me to learn in a hands-on manner.”
Gates extended an olive branch to aspiring coaches of color, emphasizing the need for more opportunities across the board. “It’s about young coaches who seek chances, regardless of their race. Their dedication to the game is palpable, and it’s disheartening that they often lack opportunities. I’m thankful for the path I’ve walked, and I’m committed to helping others do the same. My door is always open for those looking to share their journey or learn from mine.”
Freshmen wing Annor Boateng is the highest ranked Mizzou recruit since Michael Porter, Jr. in 2017. (Image courtesy: Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou will begin the 2024-25 season on Monday, November 4, when it travels down south to take on the University of Memphis. Tip time for that game has not been determined yet.
The Tigers will host their own home opener three weeks from this Friday, on November 8, at Mizzou Arena against Howard University. That contest will tip off at 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on SEC Network+.
2024-25 Missouri Tigers Men’s Basketball Schedule
| Date | Time | At | Opponent | Location | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 4, 2024 (Monday) | TBD | Away | Memphis | Memphis, Tenn. | |
| November 8, 2024 (Friday) | 7 p.m. | Home | Howard | Mizzou Arena |  |
| November 11, 2024 (Monday) | 6 p.m. | Home | Eastern Washington | Mizzou Arena | |
| November 14, 2024 (Thursday) | 6:30 p.m. | Home | Mississippi Valley State | Mizzou Arena | |
| November 22, 2024 (Friday) | 6:30 p.m. | Home | Pacific | Mizzou Arena | |
| November 24, 2024 (Sunday) | 4 p.m. | Home | Arkansas – Pine Bluff | Mizzou Arena | |
| November 27, 2024 (Wednesday) | 5:30 p.m. | Home | Lindenwood | Mizzou Arena | |
| December 3, 2024 (Tuesday) | 6 p.m. | Home | California | Mizzou Arena |  |
| December 8, 2024 (Sunday) | Noon | Home | Kansas | Mizzou Arena |  |
| December 14, 2024 (Saturday) | 11 a.m. | Home | Long Island | Mizzou Arena | |
| December 17, 2024 (Tuesday) | 6:30 p.m. | Home | Jacksonville State | Mizzou Arena | |
| December 22, 2024 (Sunday) | Noon | Neutral | Illinois | St. Louis, Mo. / Enterprise Center |  |
| December 30, 2024 (Monday) | 6:30 p.m. | Alabama State | Mizzou Arena | Mizzou Arena | |
| January 4, 2025 (Saturday) | 3 p.m. | Away | Auburn | Auburn, Ala. | |
| January 7, 2025 (Tuesday) | 8 p.m. | Home | LSU | Mizzou Arena | |
| January 11, 2025 (Saturday) | 2:30 p.m. | Home | Vanderbilt | Mizzou Arena | |
| January 14, 2025 (Tuesday) | 8 p.m. | Away | Florida | Gainesville, Fla. |  |
| January 18, 2025 (Saturday) | 5 p.m. | Home | Arkansas | Mizzou Arena | |
| January 21, 2025 (Tuesday) | 8 p.m. | Away | Texas | Austin, Texas | |
| January 25, 2025 (Saturday) | 5 p.m. | Home | Ole Miss | Mizzou Arena | |
| February 1, 2025 (Saturday) | Noon | Away | Mississippi State | Starkville, Miss. | |
| February 5, 2025 (Wednesday) | 6 p.m. | Away | Tennessee | Knoxville, Tenn. | |
| February 8, 2025 (Saturday) | 2:30 p.m. | Home | Texas A&M | Mizzou Arena | |
| February 12, 2025 (Wednesday) | 8 p.m. | Home | Oklahoma | Mizzou Arena | |
| February 15, 2025 (Saturday) | 2:30 p.m. | Away | Georgia | Athens, Ga. | |
| February 19, 2025 (Wednesday) | 8 p.m. | Home | Alabama | Mizzou Arena | |
| February 22, 2025 (Saturday) | 7 p.m. | Away | Arkansas | Fayetteville, Ark. | ESPN or ESPN2 |
| February 25, 2025 (Tuesday) | 8 p.m. | Home | South Carolina | Mizzou Arena | ESPN2 or ESPNU |
| March 1, 2025 (Saturday) | 5 p.m. | Away | Vanderbilt | Nashville, Tenn. | |
| March 5, 2025 (Wednesday) | 7 p.m. | Away | Oklahoma | Norman, Okla. | |
| March 8, 2025 (Saturday) | 11 a.m. | Home | Kentucky | Mizzou Arena | ESPN or SECN |
| March 12-16, 2025 (Wednesday) | TBD | Neutral | SEC First Round | Nashville, Tenn. / Bridgestone Arena | SECN or ESPN |