How Mizzou basketball can rebound from last weekend's Kansas loss against UCF

Missouri basketball understands the assignment ahead. The Tigers need to bounce back, and that opportunity comes at 11 a.m. CT against Central Florida.

Dennis Gates opened his press availability on Wednesday with a mantra that reflected that.

"One game doesn't define us," Gates said. "All credit to Kansas, they are who we thought they were."

Despite taking their first loss of the season, and of Dennis Gates' era, to Kansas last Saturday, Gates' optimism still flowed. MU had beaten each of its first nine opponents before then-No. 6 Kansas rolled the Tigers. Now, the Tigers need to rebound for the first time this year against a UCF team that's been successful early on.

That first game against a top-10 opponent was full of lessons Gates can put into his notebook. That's a boon for him considering No. 18 Illinois looms on Dec. 22, and No. 13 Kentucky looms on Dec. 28.

"This is our first one of the season," Gates said. "I'm excited that we get to grow from it, but also see how it allows us to get better. But, there's no doubt in my mind we'll have more."

Gates knows what went wrong: The Tigers' defense failed when they needed it to be on point the most, the team's shot selection was poor and the team struggled to make shots.

It wasn't the first time MU was playing completely from behind, MU did the same against Wichita State amd rallied to win in overtime, but it was the first time Missouri played a team that was in another talent tier.

Mizzou Arena sold out, and the moment was difficult to match. Kansas was ready.

"Words can't describe or prepare guys for what the atmosphere was," Gates said. "It was a beautiful atmosphere."

Now, Missouri has to pick up the pieces from a loss for the first time this season.

It wasn't a disaster of a loss by any means: a better team beat the Tigers, as Gates has been forthcoming about since Saturday. It also doesn't mean the season is a dud, either.

It means there's much work to be done, considering the coming schedule. Aside from Illinois and Kentucky, the new year begins with three out of the first four games on the road. MU travels to Arkansas to begin 2023, and also visits Texas A&M and Florida with a home game against Vanderbilt in between, too.

Missouri has begun to fix its problem areas through conventional methods: through film sessions and practice.

"Self-discovery makes film sessions great," Gates said. "Awareness makes video and film great. Recognition, meaning guys taking accountability for what they can do better, but also coaches doing the same. I can very well put myself in that."

Senior guard Tre Gomillion took accountability Wednesday, too. He said he got away from what he usually does defensively.

"I can say I made the most," Gomillion said. "I wouldn't say the team did it. I would say I did it."

That accountability stemmed from the team being comprised of veteran players.

Gomillion, D'Moi Hodge, DeAndre Gholston and Nick Honor are all listed as graduate students, while four other players are listed as seniors. Even the players who transferred to Missouri this past offseason have the commonality of playing a lot of basketball games in their careers.

That mileage pays off in certain ways.

"That plays a big role with us being a veteran team," Gomillion said. "We know what we did wrong. We're going to bounce back."

Those upperclassmen are aiming to rebound against a UCF team that will challenge Missouri.

The Knights are 8-2 and have wins over Oklahoma State, Florida State and Ole Miss. They're better than Wichita State and will be the second-best team MU has played in its non-conference slate so far, before Illinois last week.

The Knights score well, averaging 71 points per game, but are also averaging about 15 turnovers per game. If there ever was a way for MU's opportunistic defense to rise from the ashes, Saturday morning will provide them a good chance to do so.

Missouri will play UCF on a neutral floor, but that neutral floor is in Sunrise, Florida. That's a few hours away from Orlando, where the Knights call home.

Gates' team will have their hands full on Saturday morning. With nearly an entire week to rest, the Tigers will have the benefit of fresh legs. After finals week, the players will get a chance to shift their schedule to use those fresh legs more.

"Once we get through the finals schedule, we'll have to go to our schedule where can we continue to get better," Gates said. "Whether it's more film, more player development, individual workouts and attending practice."

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: How Mizzou basketball can rebound against UCF