What to expect in Mizzou basketball's season opener at Memphis

The Mizzou men’s basketball team is coming off one of its toughest seasons, ending with an 8-24 record and an SEC-low 0-18 in conference play. The Tigers closed the season on a staggering 19-game losing streak, marking one of the lowest points in program history.

Following the challenging season, Mizzou immediately began rebuilding, bringing in a wealth of new talent. The Tigers secured the 14th-ranked freshman recruiting class in the nation, featuring standout players like Marcus Allen, Peyton Marshall, and Annor Boateng.

Head coach Dennis Gates and his staff continued their recruitment push, adding several experienced veterans to bring much-needed leadership to the team. This group includes Jacob Crews, Tony Perkins, and Mark Mitchell, all of whom are expected to play significant minutes this season.

Memphis is coming off a solid 22-10 season, during which they reached No. 12 in the AP Poll. However, their season ended in disappointment as they were eliminated in the first round of the AAC Tournament by Wichita State, cutting off any chance of a 2023-24 NCAA Tournament bid.

Memphis retained only two players from last season, with Nicholas Jourdain being the sole returner projected to start for the Tigers.

Despite major roster changes for both teams, it’s worth noting that Memphis defeated Missouri last year, controlling the game with a 70-55 victory at Mizzou arena.

With nearly entirely rebuilt rosters on both sides, Mizzou aims to turn the tables and kick off the 2024-25 season with a strong start.

Memphis has opened as a 4.5-point favorite over Mizzou, a line that feels justified given last year’s results.

Catch the action with tipoff set for 7 p.m. CST at the FedExForum, streaming live on ESPN+.