Head coach Dennis Gates has led Mizzou to an impressive 15-3 start in the 2024-25 season. The strong start includes several notable wins, leaving fans and players wondering when the Tigers will finally break into the AP rankings.
This milestone finally occurred Monday afternoon when it was announced that Mizzou basketball had broken into the AP Top 25, debuting at No. 22.
#Mizzou checks in at no. 2⃣2⃣ in the @AP_Top25
— Ben Arnet (@BenArnetKOMU) January 20, 2025
The Tigers are ranked in both polls. pic.twitter.com/vKLBD6HRiW
This is a strong position with plenty to build on in the coming weeks as conference play continues.
What took voters so long to place the Tigers on the list?
Last season’s struggles likely made it difficult for voters to believe Missouri’s basketball team had reached this level.
Winning just eight games overall and going 0-18 in conference play last season, followed by a first-round exit in the SEC Tournament, likely led voters to question whether some of this season’s wins were “flukes” and to wait for the team to come back to reality.
So far, so good in that regard. The narrative of these wins being flukes serves as a testament to Coach Dennis Gates and his ability to respond to tough losses and challenging seasons overall.
What got the team to No. 22, and what can Mizzou do to build on that as the season continues?
The Tigers started the year on a hot streak, and it was only a matter of time before they made the list, as long as they maintained their early level of play.
The Tigers have beaten No. 1 Kansas and the No. 5 Florida Gators on the road, while also handily defeating SEC rivals. Most of their nonconference wins came by large margins or were outright blowouts. With those victories, Mizzou became one of just three teams with multiple top-five wins this season.
The Tigers officially made the list after back-to-back statement wins: first ending the Gators’ 16-game winning streak, which dated back to last season, and then dismantling another quality SEC rival, Arkansas.
As odd as it might sound, all of their losses were to quality opponents. Illinois and Memphis are both ranked teams, while Auburn sits atop the SEC and is among the best in the NCAA this season.
Mizzou is 15-3 overall with a perfect 14-0 record at home. The Tigers are 4-1 in SEC play, riding a four-game winning streak, and currently ranked fourth in the conference, which is likely the strongest in the NCAA this year.
The 15-3 record, their best start in nearly 15 seasons, disproves the narrative of fluke games and instills further confidence in the squad.
The Tigers were also ranked No. 24 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
This marks their first ranking in more than two years and the first time since 2013 that both the basketball and football teams are ranked simultaneously, signaling a bright future for the programs.