Freshman center Trent Burns hasn't seen much basketball action over the last few years, but now that he's healthy, the Tigers have been getting some valuable minutes from the 7-foot-5 big man.
Burns, who missed the first six games of the season, hadn't really played any meaningful basketball since 2024 due to a string of injuries. Now though, he's healthy and improving, and over the last two games has injected the Missouri defense with some juice.
"Before this season, I'd been counting, because I've been hurt so much. It was like 600 something days since I played a game," Burns said. "So when I first got out there, I was itching, and if you can kind of see, I was a little antsy, but it is just basketball at the end of the day. I love the sport, so it means a whole lot to be able to get back out here and play."
Trent Burns is making the most of his limited opportunities
Against No. 19 Vanderbilt and No. 20 Arkansas, Burns totaled 30 minutes, notching seven rebounds and three blocks over the two games. They were his biggest opportunities by far this season, and he took full advantage, providing some rim-protection while giving Shaun Phillips some much needed rest.
Burns has been used sparingly this season as he works back from a foot injury, but his emergence is coming at the right time for Dennis Gates and company and it hasn't gone unnoticed.
"Trent Burns has done a tremendous job in the last two games of just impacting the game, I would say, just from a mental standpoint, awareness IQ, just being at the right place," said Gates.
If Burns can continue his trajectory into the SEC Tournament, Mizzou will have other big other than Phillips who can be relied upon for rebounds, blocks and the occasional putback jam. Missouri will take on Tennessee on Feb. 24 in a crucial matchup that may have NCAA Tournament implications.