Does Mizzou Basketball Deserve a Top-25 Ranking After Taking Down No. 5 Florida?

Missouri basketball fans have been treated to an incredible turnaround during the 2024-25 season. Early on, it seemed like the same struggles that plagued the team last year might resurface. However, that has been far from the case, as the Tigers have consistently exceeded expectations.

Much of the credit belongs to head coach Dennis Gates, now in his third season with the Tigers and on track for his best campaign yet. His unique ability to craft effective rotations from a deep roster has provided the team with a steady source of success in every facet of the game—scoring, defending, passing, rebounding, and more.

Starting the season ranked a modest 53rd in the KenPom rankings, Mizzou has already jumped 20 spots, making them the biggest riser of any team this year. The Tigers aim to continue their climb, especially after their recent upset victory over No. 5 Florida.

One of the standout aspects for the Tigers this season has been their offense. Players like Tamar Bates, Caleb Grill, Mark Mitchell, and Anthony Robinson II have stepped up in a big way, each enjoying career-best performances on the offensive end.

Grill has been lights out from beyond the arc, shooting nearly 50% while attempting the most three-pointers on the team. Meanwhile, Bates and Robinson have been equally impressive, hitting over 51% of their field goal attempts, making them an incredibly efficient trio for the Tigers.

The Tigers rank in the top 20 nationally in shooting percentage, sitting just under 50% as a team— a significant improvement from last season.

Defensively, Mizzou has been arguably even stronger. At their best, they’ve held top teams to some of their lowest-scoring halves and games of the season. Robinson and Bates have been key contributors, each averaging over two steals per game—ranking among the league’s best this year.

It’s not just Robinson and Bates making an impact—four other players average at least one steal per game. The defense as a whole has been a thrill to watch, especially when compared to last season’s performance.

Breaking into the NCAA Basketball Top 25 is no easy feat. To earn a spot, a team must consistently perform at the highest level, dominating competition and securing quality wins against both conference rivals and highly ranked opponents. Equally important is avoiding losses, particularly against unranked teams.

When it comes to their résumé, the Tigers have undoubtedly built one worthy of at least being considered for the Top 25.

So far this season, Mizzou boasts a 14-3 record, putting them in a tie for third place in the SEC—arguably the best conference in college basketball this year. The Tigers are currently tied with Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky, who are ranked No. 4, No. 6, and No. 8, respectively.

Additionally, Mizzou has performed better in conference play and holds an identical overall record to Florida (No. 5), Mississippi State (No. 15), and Georgia (No. 23).

In terms of quality wins, the Tigers have dominated the majority of their matchups, both in and out of conference play. They have surpassed the century mark twice and scored at least 90 points in three additional games.

One of the season’s biggest wins came in the form of an upset against their biggest rival, the Kansas Jayhawks. In recent years, Kansas has dominated this basketball rivalry, but Mizzou flipped the script in this matchup. The Tigers protected their home court, led for nearly the entire game, and ultimately secured the victory, toppling the then-No. 1 ranked Jayhawks.

Building on that momentum, the Tigers recently defeated another top-ranked team, this time from within the SEC. This win was arguably even more impressive, as they traveled to Gainesville—a notoriously difficult venue for visiting teams—and took down the No. 5 Florida Gators.

The Tigers led by as many as 19 points in that game, showcasing their dominance over the Gators throughout the contest.

As for their losses, there hasn’t been anything alarming in Mizzou’s three defeats so far. They opened the season with a loss at No. 17 Memphis before embarking on a 10-game winning streak. That streak ended with a narrow 80-77 loss to No. 19 Illinois.

The Tigers' worst performance of the season came a couple of weeks ago against No. 1 Auburn in their first conference game. Mizzou struggled to match Auburn’s level of play and was outmatched, falling 84-68 in a game where they never seemed to find their rhythm.

Despite the losses, the Tigers undoubtedly have a résumé that surpasses those of many currently ranked teams. Before their victory over Florida, they received eight votes in the polls, signaling their potential to break into the Top 25 soon.

While receiving eight votes is a positive step forward for Mizzou, it’s not enough to place them in serious consideration for the Top 25 just yet. For example, St. John’s received 83 votes last week but still fell short of making the rankings.

Mizzou basketball is well on its way, as analysts and opponents alike are starting to recognize the Tigers as legitimate competition and a potential threat come March.

The new official AP NCAA Men’s Division I basketball rankings are released every Monday afternoon, meaning the Tigers will soon find out if they’ll be ranked for the first time since early January 2023. However, they’ll need to maintain their current level of play to consistently earn their spot each week.