COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Tigers put plenty of focus on retention over the offseason, bringing back the most minutes played of any Southeastern Conference program. 

Team captains Anthony Robinson II and Mark Mitchell headline the returning class, each playing key roles for the Tigers in their miraculous turnaround campaign a season ago. Now, both Robinson and Mitchell return for expanded roles, with the team more centered around them. 

Mitchell broke out with the Tigers last season, averaging a career-high 13.9 points per game while shooting 50.5% from the field. He was a dominant driver, using mismatches to full advantage by punishing smaller defenders in the paint and blowing by lumbering ones. 

His driving was at times diminished, however, due to clogged spacing. Mitchell often played alongside traditional bigs in Josh Gray and Payton Marshall, neither of whom were plus shooters or perimeter threats. Gray and Marshall also weren't exactly above-the-rim playmakers either, limiting the athleticism of the frontcourt.

Now, Missouri's frontcourt has been almost completely revamped to cater toward Mitchell, providing him with multiple big-men partners to maximize his game. 

Redshirt freshman Trent Burns missed the entire 2024-2025 season due to injury, but the 7-foot-5 big is set to make his debut with the Tigers this season, and brings a surprise shooting touch to the 3-point line. 

"We have a lot of downhill drivers," Burns said. "Mark Mitchell, Ant Robinson gets downhill, Annor gets downhill. So bringing the big out and allowing them to have the lane helped them out."

Burns' shooting threat gives Mitchell more one-on-one drives – his bread and butter. If defenders do decide to double Mitchell, Burns is waiting on the 3-point line to knock down the open shot, something none of Missouri's centers could do last season. 

Oklahoma transfer Luke Northweather brings the same threat, as he shot 34% on 1.7 3-pointers per game last season. Standing at 6-foot-11, he's a viable stretch-big option next to a driver like Mitchell. 

Missouri also brought in a new traditional center in the form of Arizona State big Shawn Phillips Jr. Phillips contributed solid minutes in his previous three seasons between Arizona State and LSU, but never got his chance as a full-time starter. 

He's a traditional big, but brings a sense of athleticism, rim-running and shot-blocking Missouri hasn't had in the Dennis Gates era. 

"We hadn't had that in some years at Missouri, no matter what season it's been," Gates said. "To have an athletic 7-footer who shows potential... is something that's needed in college basketball, something that gives you an edge, and it's a different threat offensively and defensively." 

While Burns and Northweather help out Mitchell on the offensive end, Phillips can be a superb defensive anchor next to Mitchell. He's a capable rim protector that can allow Mitchell to remain a pest on forwards instead of matching up with centers.