The Missouri Tigers' 2023-24 season was one to forget. Finishing with an 8-24 overall record, they sat at the bottom of the SEC standings after going winless in conference play (0-18). Their season ended on a program-worst 19-game losing streak, highlighting a challenging year for the team.
The eight total wins marked the program's lowest since the 1966-67 season, when the Tigers finished 3-22. However, head coach Dennis Gates didn’t back down from the challenge. Instead, he got to work immediately, motivating his team and bringing in a wave of talent through the transfer portal and freshman commitments, setting the foundation for a brighter future.
Dennis Gates brought a wealth of basketball experience to the Tigers, both as a player and a coach, before taking the helm at Mizzou. His background has been instrumental in shaping the program’s rebuilding efforts.
Dennis Gates' basketball career began in the early 2000s as a member of the California Golden Bears. He played four seasons with the team, completing his undergraduate degree in just three years and returning for a fourth season as a graduate student.
After an up-and-down playing career, Dennis Gates transitioned to coaching, starting in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers. He then returned to the NCAA, where he built an extensive résumé over the next 16 years. Gates served as an assistant coach at several programs, including Marquette, California, Northern Illinois, Nevada, and Florida State (where he had two stints). His dedication and experience eventually earned him the opportunity to take the reins as a head coach.
In the summer of 2019, Dennis Gates was named head coach at Cleveland State, succeeding Dennis Felton. In his first season, he made an immediate impact, earning Horizon League Coach of the Year honors—becoming just the second coach in program history to do so. Under his leadership, the team won the most conference games in five years, signaling a turnaround for the program.
In his first year at Cleveland State, several of Gates' players earned multiple honors, reflecting the team’s rapid improvement under his leadership. Gates also guided the Vikings to winning streaks the program hadn’t experienced in several seasons, further solidifying his impact in his debut year.
The following season, Gates continued to elevate Cleveland State, guiding his team to more wins—both in and out of conference play—than the program had seen in over a decade. His success earned him a contract extension in 2021, making him the highest-paid coach in the Horizon League.
Shortly after his sustained success at Cleveland State, Gates was hired as head coach at Mizzou, where he received an even more lucrative contract extension. In his first season with the Tigers, Gates led the team to an impressive 25-10 record and secured an NCAA Tournament appearance, revitalizing the program.
Despite the challenges of the 2023-24 season, Gates has remained unfazed, maintaining confidence in his team and their ability to grow and improve. His steady leadership continues to guide the program forward.
Gates played a significant role in assembling Mizzou's 2023 recruiting class, which was ranked 36th overall in Division I basketball. Several key players from that class have already made a major impact in games this season, highlighting Gates' ability to recruit and develop talent for the program.
Anthony Robinson II and Trent Pierce, both part of the 2023 recruiting class, have made impacts, starting a bulk of games this season. Complementing their contributions are guards Caleb Grill and Tamar Bates, key additions from the transfer portal. Both are among the team leaders in minutes and points per game, showcasing the balance of young talent and experienced transfers that Dennis Gates has brought to Mizzou.
Gates followed up his 2023 recruiting success with an even more impressive effort in 2024, securing the 15th-ranked recruiting class in the nation. This class includes several standout players already making an impact, with others poised to play significant roles in the coming seasons, further solidifying Mizzou’s bright future under Gates’ leadership.
The 2024 recruiting class brought in highly touted freshmen like Annor Boateng, Peyton Marshall, and T.O. Barrett, who have already started making their mark. However, the buzz around the freshmen has been somewhat overshadowed by the arrival of five impactful transfer players. These transfers have quickly established themselves as key contributors, making a difference for Mizzou on a nightly basis.
Mark Mitchell, Marques Warrick, Tony Perkins, and Josh Gray have all been standout additions for Mizzou this season, each starting multiple games and playing pivotal roles in clutch victories. Additionally, the Tigers bolstered their roster with sharpshooter Jacob Crews, who has provided a significant spark off the bench. These transfers have been instrumental in elevating Mizzou's performance this year.
Despite the struggles of last season, Mizzou’s response has been nothing short of remarkable. Their turnaround has become one of the most compelling storylines in college basketball this year.
Gates has utilized a variety of starting lineups this season, providing virtually every player on the roster with significant minutes and opportunities to contribute. This approach has not only showcased the team's depth but has also fostered strong chemistry, a key factor in their success.
This season, 12 players are averaging at least 10 minutes per game, with five logging over 20 minutes per night. Having such a deep rotation gives Dennis Gates a significant advantage, allowing him to utilize a versatile lineup and keep his team fresh throughout games.
If a few of Mizzou's stars have an off night, Dennis Gates has the luxury of calling on another player to step up as an X-factor. This depth has been instrumental in securing key victories, particularly in recent SEC Conference matchups.
Mizzou's offense has significantly improved this season, while the defense has taken a major leap, doubling the numbers of steals and blocks from previous years. The overall performance of this team is the best the program has seen in several seasons, showcasing their growth and potential under Gates.
Overall, it’s clear that Gates has transformed the culture of Mizzou basketball, especially in the wake of last season's struggles. His exceptional recruiting, coupled with a deep roster of playmakers and strong defenders, has revitalized the program. Moreover, his strong relationships with the players have fostered a sense of unity and motivation, driving their determination to win for both him and the team.
Dennis Gates has guided Mizzou to a stellar 13-3 record, including an undefeated start at home and a 2-1 record in SEC play. Highlighting the season so far is their marquee win over then-No. 1 Kansas, their biggest rival, showcasing the team’s potential and resilience.
From a fan's perspective, the future looks bright for Mizzou basketball as long as Dennis Gates continues leading the program. With his leadership, the Tigers are well-positioned to make a push for a return to the NCAA Tournament this March.