The non-conference play for the 2024-25 Missouri Tigers has been one to remember for head coach Dennis Gates.
There has been a noticeable improvement in the team’s performance this season, and it all begins with their chemistry and the mentality they brought into the year.
The Tigers boast more depth on their roster than in recent years, and it has been evident from game to game. Through their 12 contests so far, they have had eight different leading scorers and six different leaders in both rebounds and assists.
Gates has utilized a variety of starting lineups and rotations, and more often than not, the Tigers have found success regardless of who is on the court.
Players like Mark Mitchell, Anthony Robinson III, Tamar Bates, and Caleb Grill are all enjoying career-best seasons, contributing significantly to the team’s success in the early part of the season.
Since falling in their season opener to a talented Memphis Tigers team, Mizzou had won 10 straight games, surpassing the century mark twice and reaching 90 points on two other occasions.
The 10-game winning streak included a victory over then-No. 1 ranked Kansas, Mizzou's biggest rival, and a comeback win against the California Golden Bears.
However, Sunday afternoon told a different story, as Mizzou fell in a close game to Illinois. While the Illini have secured ranked wins and battled top teams this season, this was a game Mizzou had a strong chance to win. Several issues ultimately propelled Illinois to its Braggin' Rights victory.
To bounce back—an essential step if the Tigers hope to make an impact in March—they will need to address several areas for improvement.
One recurring issue for Mizzou this season has been its shooting. While overall it has been decent, their performance has varied significantly from game to game.
However, a consistent issue has been their struggles at the free-throw line, where they have often failed to capitalize on opportunities.
Mizzou has excelled at playing aggressive offense and earning trips to the free-throw line. However, time and time again, they have struggled to capitalize, frequently failing to convert those opportunities in clutch time.
So far, the team has shot just under 72% from the free-throw line, ranking 161st among all Division I NCAA men’s basketball teams.
Good teams capitalize on their free-throw opportunities, as these points often prove to be game-changers—especially in tightly contested matchups like Sunday afternoon's loss to Illinois.
Gates has acknowledged the importance of these extra points, emphasizing the need for the team to continue improving their free-throw shooting.
Mizzou also ranks 166th in three-point shooting percentage allowed per game this season. In the 2024-25 campaign, they’ve allowed opponents to shoot over 33% from beyond the arc, a marginal improvement of just 1% from the 34% they allowed in 2023.
The 33% three-point shooting percentage they’ve allowed, which has climbed to nearly 35% over the last three games, is about average. However, given their relatively light schedule so far, this figure is concerning as the competition will only intensify in the coming months.
Further examining their defensive stats, the Tigers do not rank in the top 75 for blocks per game. This is an area they could certainly improve on, but Mizzou has been able to make up for this in the amount of steals its creating.
2024 has been a standout year for the Tigers in terms of steals per game. Mizzou currently ranks No. 1 in the nation, averaging 10.7 steals per game—a significant gap over the second-ranked program. This marks a substantial improvement from their 7.7 steals per game last season.
Despite their recent loss, the Tigers hold an encouraging 10-2 record—significantly better than their 7-5 mark through 12 games last season. If they continue to progress at this rate, an NCAA tournament appearance could potentially be on the horizon.