Dennis Gates on Mizzou's loss to Alabama: 'I would love that loss to get off my schedule and off my record'

COLUMBIA, Mo. — College basketball is changing. The athlete half of student-athlete is emphasized now more than ever. So much so that former professional athletes are leaving their respective pro leagues to return to college not for an education, but for a higher salary and increased opportunity. 

An example that sent the college basketball world into an uproar was Alabama's Charles Bediako, who spent the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons with the Crimson Tide before heading to the NBA G League. 

Bediako played the following three seasons in the G League, most recently averaging 4.9 points per game with the Motor City Cruise before making a decision that shocked the hoops world by returning to Alabama to suit up for Nate Oats' 2025-26 squad. 

Many were opposed to Bediako's return to the college landscape, as he had given up his eligibility upon his entry to the 2023 NBA Draft. Gates, however, supported the controversial choice. 

“I support all student-athletes,” Gates said in a press conference before Missouri played Alabama, “I said before in a press conference, I support Bediako.”

He further elaborated. 

"I support freedom of movement for all athletes within college athletics through mechanisms like the transfer portal and otherwise," Gates said. "Between college and professional. G League, FIBA, NBA and beyond. MLB, NHL, if they want to come back to college, I’ve had peers who played different sports come back and be able to maintain college eligibility. It’s happened before.”

Gates' Tigers then played Bediako and the Tide. The starting center dropped a season-high 14 points along with six rebounds, helping contribute to Alabama's 90-64 win over Missouri. Bediako played three more games after before a judge deemed him no longer eligible to play college basketball Feb. 9. 

The NCAA Selection Committee will not punish Alabama for playing Bediako, but they will take into account that Alabama played him in its wins over Missouri, Texas A&M and Auburn. This could help out Missouri's chances — which are on the bubble — of making the NCAA Tournament in March. 

Gates, like the committee, doesn't want to penalize Alabama for playing an athlete he supports — other teams have done the same.

"I don't want to penalize Alabama," Gates said. "Which they keep their wins, and I don't want to penalize any team — it's not just about me — any team that has faced Alabama in those games when he played, the kid, you know, he's just trying to, you know, reinvigorate his college career. Like I said, I support Bediako." 

However, he does wish that the influx of professionals playing were different. Unlike many teams around the nation, Missouri does not roster a former professional player. 

"The loophole has has been found — there's other pros that play," Gates said. "It has to be cleaned up." 

Along with wishing the the demographic of players was different, he wishes the loss was removed from his record. 

"Coaches get hired and fired because of losses, so let's, let's just document that right now," Gates said. "If you lose, you get fired as a coach. So I would love that loss to get off my my schedule and off my record. It may not be a win, but I would love for the loss to be off because our jobs is predicated on wins and losses, and at least that ratio.

"If there's a governor or somebody in Missouri who wants to file a restraining order against a loss, I'll take it."

Missouri plays No. 20 Arkansas at 3 p.m. Saturday — one of its five remaining games before Selection Sunday, each of which are pivotal for the Tigers' chances to dance in March.