What a season the 2024-25 campaign was for head coach Dennis Gates and the Missouri Tigers.
They found themselves comfortably within the AP Top-25 for the majority of the season, came away with multiple upset victories, and even made their way back into the famed NCAA Tournament last March
Despite the hot start, it began to fall apart at the end, and the Tigers were a quick first-round elimination in March Madness.
This offseason has been all about doing the little things, and Coach Gates has been harping about the improvements made by every player, no matter if they're a freshman, a senior, a new player, or an incoming transfer.
Overall, the right mentality to have going into a true make-or-break season.
Though each player has their own things to work on going into late fall, certain players have gone above and beyond to set themselves up for success this season.
Above all else, Coach Gates has watched as now-senior Mark Mitchell prepares for what should be an amazing season for him.
After coming over from his initial two seasons at Duke, the 6-foot-9 forward has found a home in Columbia.
A top fan favorite, his squad has only seen him grow (literally and on the court) across the last year-plus of being a Tiger.
Mitchell improved in all aspects of the game last season. Starting every game for Mizzou, the Kansas City native averaged 14 points a game on 51% shooting from the floor, while taking more shots per game than ever in his career.
He added 5 rebounds, and 3 assists per night, all while being one of the more trustworthy defenders in the paint, notching a steal and block a game as well.
His defensive numbers, points, and efficiency have all gone up every year he's played, while his turnovers have lowered.
Though Mitchell led the Tigers in minutes a game last season at around 28 a night, he still managed one of the highest efficiencies on the team, and also led them in points, rebounds, blocks and steals.
Despite a disappointing perfomance in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, just 8 points on 2-8 shooting in the upset loss to No. 11 Drake, fans have seen Mitchell come up big in the clutchest of moments.
The best example comes in the form of a mid-February game against SEC rival and then-No. 4 overall Alabama.
Mitchell made light work of the Crimson Tide, as the Tigers hung 110 points on what was one of the best defending teams in the entire NCAA all year. Mitchell finished with a career-high 31 points on 11-15 shooting.
If he's able to continue that work offensively, while implementing more of a three-point shot, as well as working on his perimter defense, Mitchell could easily be one of the top threats in the SEC Conference this season.
On top of all he's done on the court, the forward, who was named to the All-SEC Third Team in his first year in Columbia, is a leader off the court as well.
Mitchell comes off as a loud, strong, and emotional leader - which describes him perfectly. Coach Gates, as well as other members of the program, aren't shy to praise his abilities to lift up a player in a tough moment, or motivate the entire team in a spot where they need it most.
The big man has all the skills that scouts at the next level love to see, and it'll be interesting to see just how he wants to showcase his talents this season, and if he'll look to change his playstyle going into what could be his final colleigate season.
There is a lot to write home about with this team, even with months between now and the opening tip-off, at Howard on November 3rd.
If Coach Gates is able to fully unlock players like Mark Mitchell this season, the sky is limit for the Missouri Tigers.