Missouri Tigers basketball preview: Bold predictions & best Mizzou games in 2023-24

Missouri basketball is almost back.

With just days until the start of Dennis Gates’ second season at the helm of the Tigers’ program, there’s plenty to look forward to.

Here are three bold predictions and five games to watch for the 2023-2024 Missouri men’s basketball season.

First up, our predictions...

Tigers return to the NCAA Tournament in 2024

There are plenty of expectations around the program now. Dennis Gates brought the Tigers to the Big Dance in his first season and reshaped what people have imagined what could be possible in Columbia.

This year’s Missouri team is deeper than last year’s squad. It’s almost more complete, with rebounding and height to go along with its sets of guards. The Tigers can play different lineups and can score in different ways.

If Gates can put together a tournament team in Year 1 with a team of transfers, then what’s to say he can’t do the same thing in Year 2 with transfers, some talented freshmen and a deeper bench?

One of the freshmen will emerge as a starter

This Missouri freshmen class is talented. It has also earned rave reviews.

Anthony Robinson is emerging with leadership as a freshman. Trent Pierce can play around the perimeter and in the post. Jordan Butler could be the best dominant rim protector for the Tigers.

But, as freshmen, they have to turn that potential into growth. Pierce is the player who will turn that potential into minutes early.

Pierce played at Arizona Compass Prep Academy, where he played in some high-level games. He can guard multiple positions and shoot, too. That fits Gates’ system, and that will translate into minutes during the nonconference slate.

Tamar Bates becomes the next D’Moi Hodge

In one year, D’Moi Hodge became the program’s leader in steals and elevated his game so much that he signed a contract in the Los Angeles Lakers’ organization. Bates could be the next to follow in that mold.

Bates comes to MU from Indiana. His dad is a Missouri graduate, and Bates is a fast-paced guard who can score on multiple levels. At IU, Bates was asked to be a knockdown shooter. At MU, he’ll have a chance to unleash his speed.

Bates won’t be exactly what Hodge was, but that’s because Bates has his own style. Bates was a former four-star recruit who was originally committed to Texas.

That talent level can reach new heights under a coaching staff that unlocked Kobe Brown’s potential, sent two players to the NBA G-League and understands the abilities of the players on the current roster.

Five Mizzou games to watch this season

Nov. 10, vs. Memphis

Missouri opens the season on Nov. 6. On the 10th, the Tigers will host Penny Hardaway’s talented Memphis team.

This will test the mettle of a Missouri team early. How well will the new transfers come together after one game? Will the freshmen find ways to contribute at the same time? Last season, Missouri didn’t play a tournament team until it played SEMO and Kansas in Games 9 and 10. MU will find out plenty about itself in Game 2.

Dec. 9, at Kansas

Of course, the Border War makes this list.

It’s safe to say none of the players on MU’s roster, aside from Kaleb Brown, has played in an environment like Allen Fieldhouse. Missouri’s freshmen and transfers will be tasked with playing Kansas closer than the Tigers have during the last two seasons.

Jan. 9, at Kentucky

Missouri drubbed Kentucky at Mizzou Arena last season. This year, the Tigers’ game against Kentucky will be at Rupp Arena.

Instead of a game that Missouri could use to prove itself at home, this game against the Wildcats becomes a channel for Missouri. If the Tigers want to establish themselves as a team that can challenge in the SEC, they might have to get a win in early 2024 on the road in Lexington.

Jan. 31, vs. Arkansas

Dennis Gates and Eric Musselman coached two classic games last season, splitting the season series in just a matter of weeks.

The Razorbacks figure to be an SEC contender and a weekly ranked team this season. Closing January with a win over a rival would be important for Missouri’s 2024 NCAA Tournament resume. The Tigers’ three-point win at Mizzou Arena was one of those wins for Missouri that led to its at-large bid last year.

March 5, vs. Auburn

MU struggled against Auburn last season, falling 89-56 on the road after its miracle win over Tennessee on the road. This game would be one of the last chances for Missouri to get a key resume win for the 2024 tournament.

Bruce Pearl coached a tournament team last season and was a top-ranked team in 2021-2022. This season, getting a win over Auburn in the final home game of SEC play would be a solid launching point into the SEC Tournament.

The Star has partnered with the Columbia Daily Tribune for coverage of Missouri Tigers athletics.