Six news transfers, five new freshmen.
And, surely a soothing tune to Mizzou fans’ ears, a brand new basketball season.
Missouri basketball opens its season Monday on the road at Memphis, where Dennis Gates’ third year at the helm will commence. Mizzou had a putrid conference campaign plagued by injuries to close last season, as it went 0-19 against SEC opposition and, because of the length of that slump, remains without a win this calendar year.
The 2024-25 season ought to look a lot different.
Here’s who we expect to play for Missouri when it takes the court Monday. It’s worth noting that the distinction between starters and the main rotation is nigh-on negligible and will depend on matchups. The lineups throughout the course of the game will do the same. That said, this is how we think the Tigers primarily will divide up the duties:
Who will make up Missouri basketball’s starting five?
Point guard, Tony Perkins: The Iowa transfer should be MU’s primary ball-handler, provided he’s healthy and able to play. Gates was asked Friday, after Perkins was absent from MU’s exhibition win over Lincoln last Saturday, if Perkins would play against Memphis. The coach didn’t quite go as far as saying, ‘yes.’
“Tony Perkins has been practicing, and I’m excited about what he’s been able to do,” Gates said. “So, for me, he’s had a great week of practice.”
Guard, Tamar Bates: Perhaps Missouri’s most important returner from last season. He took a 40-50-90 shooting run into the final game of last season, but ultimately fell a couple 3s short of the novel mark. The most intriguing part of Bates’ second year in Columbia is what his production will look like now that he shouldn’t have to shoulder the whole offense.
Guard, Caleb Grill: Perhaps Missouri’s most underrated returner from last season. Grill received a medical redshirt after sustaining a season-ending wrist injury in MU’s nonconference slate last season. He was MU’s leading rebounder before he was hurt, and dating back to his time at Iowa State is a potent threat from 3. How Mizzou could have used that last year …
Small forward, Mark Mitchell: Looking for NBA talent on this Missouri roster? Right here. Mitchell shapes up to be Missouri’s go-to guy and a near-ever present figure on the court. The Duke transfer started 67 of his 68 appearances over two seasons in Durham and averaged 10.3 points and 5.2 rebounds. If Gates can help Mitchell rediscover his shooting touch (he went from a 35.2% to a 27.5% shooter from 3 last season), then the forward could be in for a massive year.
Center, Josh Gray: Mizzou needed a big, physical post presence and a consistent rebounder. Gray, at 7-foot, 260 pounds, should provide that. He’ll likely start, but when Mizzou rotates to different formations and sizes, it’ll be intriguing to see how often Gray is on the court. Gates historically has preferred to run with a five-man that can all shoot, and that’s not, historically, Gray’s game.
Main rotation
Jacob Crews, wing: Crews is either a starter or the first player off the bench in a lot of games. He gives the Tigers a ton of lineup flexibility with the ability to play the three or the four. The UT Martin transfer was a 41.4% shooter from behind the arc last season and his long, 6-8 frame should function well in a Gates defense. If he doesn’t start — and he very well may — you won’t wait too long to see him.
Marques Warrick, guard: The NCAA’s active points leader will get plenty of time and plenty of opportunities to add to his career 2,246 points. The Northern Kentucky transfer was the main man at his previous school, so will have to adjust his style a touch with the step up in opposition, but shooters shoot, and Warrick took 15.5 shots from the field per game last year en route to an average of 19.9 points.
Aidan Shaw, forward: Shaw’s game needs to take a leap the height of one of his signature dunks. The Overland Park, Kansas, native has all the athleticism in the world and possesses a high ceiling, but this season will tell if he’s able to become a more complete player, putting up the rebounding numbers Gates expects and becoming less one-dimensional on offense.
Anthony Robinson, guard: The sophomore is our preseason pick for MU’s most improved player. He averaged more than a steal per game as a rookie last season. Robinson’s task is to take a step forward on offense, as he was just 36.3% from the field last season.
Annor Boateng, wing: If any of MU’s freshmen are college-ready, best guesses suggest Boateng is the player. His dynamic style ought to fit what Gates runs, but, as with all rookies, time will tell if he’s ready.
Pushing for minutes
Peyton Marshall, center: The size — 7-0, 300 pounds — is there, but is his game college ready? He should see some time to show it through November.
Trent Burns, center: At 7-foot-5, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Burns make an appearance. Again, the question is going to be whether his game is ready for the step up to the SEC.
Trent Pierce, forward: The now-sophomore sustained injury- and illness-related setbacks in his rookie campaign after coming in as a four-star recruit. He’ll need to show progress to crack the lineup.
Marcus Allen, wing: There seems to be some optimism in the Mizzou camp about the freshman’s potential on the defensive end. The wing has some stout competition for minutes at his position, but ought to get some chances during nonconference play.
