Senior guard Tamar Bates will be back to lead the Mizzou men’s basketball team for the 2024-25 season. (Photo: Terrance Williams)

University of Missouri men’s basketball fans were excited about a bit of news regarding the team that was announced on Wednesday.

The first piece of the 2024-25 season schedule was revealed, with fans finding out the Tigers will host the University of California in the 2024 SEC-ACC Challenge at Mizzou Arena on December 3.

Mizzou head coach Dennis Gates, who is a University of California alum, is set to welcome his alma mater for the first time in his career.

In a series that dates back to the 1941-42 season, Missouri has played Cal seven times in its history with a 5-2 record. The schools last met in November 2011 with the Tigers posting a 92-53 win at the CBE Invitational in Kansas City. The schools also met twice in the Big 12-Pac 10 Hardwood series with both teams winning on their home court in 2007 (Cal, 86-72) and 2008 (Mizzou, 93-66).

Overall, the Tigers own a 7-4 record in conference challenge matchups, including a 5-0 record at Mizzou Arena. Last season, the Tigers posted a 71-64 victory at Pitt in the inaugural SEC-ACC Challenge.

Gates began his collegiate career when he played at Cal from 1998 to 2002. A three-time captain who appeared in 114 career games with 34 starting assignments, Gates totaled 432 points, 140 rebounds, 148 assists and 100 steals. Awarded the 2002 Pac-10 Medal of Honor as Cal’s top graduating student-athlete, he helped the team earn bids to the NCAA Tournament in 2001 and 2002, including a second-round appearance as a senior.

The contest is the first announced game for Mizzou during the 2024-25 campaign. The Tigers are one of three schools in the nation to welcome a top-15 freshman and transfer class to campus next season, adding the No. 5 freshman class and the No. 12 transfer class.

More Mizzou hoops schedule announcements are expected throughout the summer.

Mizzou women also face ACC newcomer

The SEC/ACC Challenge matchups for women’s basketball also were revealed Wednesday, and Mizzou will host another Atlantic Coast Conference newcomer, SMU, on Dec. 5 at Mizzou Arena.

The Tigers dropped their ACC/SEC Challenge game last season, falling 87-81 at Virginia.