Dennis Gates is big on Mizzou basketball's history. The Iowa State game is a chance to honor it

Dennis Gates can tell you all about Missouri’s basketball tradition. The Tigers’ head coach, who has called himself a “college basketball savant” is more than happy to do it any time, reciting the names of every MU coach starting with Norm Stewart at the slightest provocation.

It’s not just a show for press conferences either. Gates has drilled the history of the program into his players.

“What he says to you guys, he says to us,” guard Sean East said on Friday. “He’s the same everywhere. He’s big on the culture, big on bringing everything back, getting back to how it was. Starts with us, then to you guys and everybody else that he sees and runs into.”

Gates’ respect for Missouri’s days past has been evident from the earliest days of his tenure. During the 2022-23 team’s first public appearance, Mizzou Madness, held at an outdoor court on campus, Stewart himself showed up, riding in on a golf cart and helping judge a slam dunk contest for children on toy baskets.

On Saturday, the Tigers are bringing back another piece of Missouri tradition, with throwback uniforms, similar to those worn from 1973-1996. The kit was unveiled Wednesday, in a social media video featuring highlights from the Stewart era, and will be worn against Iowa State, and its old Big Eight/Big 12 rival.

According to Gates, it was the MU faithful who prompted the look.

“We heard the fans loud and clear,” Gates said. “I think initially once I got this job, there was some conversation regarding these block M jerseys, and I feel the same way. I truly feel that uniform holds a special place of connecting our program with our fans, but also the success that we’ve had at the very, very peak.”

He’s made the effort to spread his excitement for those times with his team. Back when MU was still in the Big 12 and the Iowa State game was played on a regular basis, most of the current Tigers were in elementary school.

East, who joined the program as a transfer this season, said he wasn’t familiar with what things were like back in the old days. Still, he’s tried to do his research and read up on the old rivalries.

Around the program, he also has some ex-players who can answer any questions about the game’s importance

“I just try to ask old players like Phil (Pressey), Laurence (Bowers),” East said. “They tell me what the significance is.”

The jerseys aren’t the only celebration of the past happening on Saturday. It’s alumni weekend in Columbia, and former members of the program are welcome to be in attendance.

Gates isn’t just appealing to ex-players either. He wants everyone back.

“We also have to welcome former managers, former coaches, former trainers,” Gates said. “It takes a village to run a basketball program, so former ushers, former, those who work at the table. It’s a community here and I want to welcome, not just our players back, but all of those people who have had a hand in making this place special, from the administration on down to former janitors.”

Gates’ quest to revitalize the program has been successful so far. Mizzou Arena is buzzing on any given game night, with frequent sellouts, including Saturday’s matchup.

Maybe it’s fans buying into Gates and his appeal to tradition. Alternatively, maybe it’s just that the Tigers are winning games.

Missouri currently sits at 15-5 on the season, a year after winning just 12 games total. Adding another win against their old rival won’t be easy, with the Cyclones entering ranked 12^th in the Associated Press media poll, and 13^th in the coaches poll.

Iowa State plays an opposite style than Missouri’s fast-paced attack, preferring to slow down the game. Gates answered with a laugh on Friday when asked what helps a team dictate the tempo.

“The same that dictates (if) a coach is good at Xs and Os,” Gates said. “If the ball goes in. I think it’s important that no matter what style he plays, what style we play, we both want to see the ball go in.”

Of late, it’s been that simple for MU. In the win over Ole Miss, the Tigers made over 55% of their field goals and won.

In losses to Texas A&M, Florida and Alabama, they made only 35.6%, 41.7% and 32.9% respectively. The Ole Miss game, Missouri’s first road SEC win of the year, represented a shooting turnaround that Gates and company hope will continue back on their home floor, in a game with NCAA tournament implications.

They’ll likely be without regular starter Tre Gomillion due to a groin injury that kept him out in Oxford. However, they will have a sellout crowd on their side for the 1 p.m. game, which will be aired on ESPN2.

“I’m just trying my very best here to give our tradition the opportunity to reclaim itself,” Gates said. “I have a dream, which is what I’ve shared, to be a Hall of Fame coach, and to be that, certain checkpoints have to be met. And this is a great opportunity for us all.”

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri basketball: Dennis Gates honors traditions against Iowa State