Missouri point guard Anthony Robinson has struggled the past few weeks. He was averaging just five points per game on 23.5% shooting ahead of the Oklahoma matchup, and head coach Dennis Gates made a last second decision that may have not only won the game, but saved their season.
Gates called up backup point guard T.O. Barrett right before tip-off, and the young guard rewarded Gates with a 21-point, six rebound and two assist night.
"I made the decision right when we were supposed to put the names in," Gates said. "T.O. didn't ever practice with first team at all. He's never practiced on that side. And I announced it to the team at about eight minutes before game time. Ant Robinson wasn't informed. Nobody was informed."
Gates makes a snap decision that pays off right away
To bench a team captain was surely a tough choice, but Robinson has gone ice cold as of late, and his usually stellar defense hasn't shown up like usual. The decision to start Barrett may have been a quick one, but it's already paying off for a player who has been patient to get his turn.
"He's very patient," Gates said. "Although he knew Ant Robinson was coming back, he didn't put his name in a portal, nor talk about it... He doesn't look at how many minutes he's played and sulk — he takes advantage of the minutes he got."
Until Robinson starts to get his mojo back, it seems likely that Gates will continue to rely on the steady play of Barrett, who is now averaging 6.7 points per game on 55% shooting. There will come a time when Robinson may be ready to take back the reigns, but until then, Mizzou can feel confident in Barrett as the Tigers try to navigates a difficult upcoming schedule.