As the Missouri Tigers closed out nonconference play with a disappointing loss to Illinois, it left many fans with a sour taste in their mouths as the Tigers limped into the break. Despite finishing nonconference play with a 10-3 record, there were many questions that head coach Dennis Gates and the Tigers were yet to answer.
While it wasn’t just a historic loss to Illinois that went wrong in December, a late-game collapse versus Notre Dame and a second-half letdown versus Kansas really sent the Tigers in the wrong direction, leaving many fans wondering what this team would look like coming off a historic 2024-25 season.
Looking back on last year, the SEC had a historic season, sending 14 teams to the NCAA Tournament, the most of any conference in a single season. On top of those 14, there were two teams that stood out amongst the rest: Florida and Auburn, both of which had program-defining years and dominated the conference, and they represented the SEC in the Final Four. The Gators would go on to finish the season on top with a national championship.
Fast forward to 2026, the Tigers are off to a hot start in SEC play, sitting at 3-1 through their first four games, tied with four other teams for first place in the conference. Their first two home games were against both Florida and Auburn. The results? Two wins.
Following what was a very tough stretch for the Tigers, coaches have gone harder on guys during practice, and expectations were raised. As a result, the attitude around this roster has changed for the better.
For a team that lacked grit and toughness through the first 14 games of the season, the last four games have looked really promising. Following the win over Kentucky, Gates addressed his players in the locker room, saying, “Thank you for allowing me to push you, the way I have been pushing you.”
This victory was historic. It marked the first win in program history at Rupp Arena, where the Tigers had previously been 0-7.
In all three conference wins, the Tigers trailed by seven or more points, and there has been a new level of fight to this team.
Tigers look to keep red hot start going with win over LSU
Looking at last night’s win specifically, the Tiger defense has come alive, and if you had to choose one “unsung hero” on the roster, it’s certainly been T.O. Barrett. He missed just one shot on the night, which came from half-court at the end of the first half. Barrett was the spark for the Tigers last night, and play after play, he was making winning plays. Lastly, he had the highest plus-minus on the floor with plus-18, and the Tigers surged to a win.
Looking ahead at LSU on Saturday, they are coming off a bad loss to Kentucky at home as they were walked off at the buzzer. LSU led by 16 at halftime.
If the Tigers could advance to 4-1 in conference play with a win over LSU, it would do wonders for this season, and it would be a huge step going forward. Nevertheless, what a turnaround it’s been since the Illinois loss.
The Tigers are set to tip off at 2:30 p.m. CST on SEC Network on Saturday versus LSU.