Free-throw struggles, T.O. Barrett's emergence and Charles Bediako's eligibility highlight takeaways from Mizzou basketball's loss to Alabama.
Missouri basketball took a trip to Tuscaloosa and left empty-handed, suffering a 90-64 blowout loss at the hands of the Alabama Crimson Tide. The loss moves Missouri to 4-4 in conference play and 14-7 on the season.
Once again balancing at tipping point, the future of Missouri's season is unknown, as it will break the .500 threshold either positively or negatively against Mississippi State on Saturday.
Here's what was learned from the Tigers' disaster loss to Alabama.
T.O. Barrett is what Missouri needs
Sophomore guard T.O. Barrett entered and began the 2025-26 season firmly in the role of Anthony Robinson II's backup. His play in recent weeks hinted at Barrett exceeding the role, but his play against Oklahoma and Alabama locked that in.
Barrett earned his first start over Robinson against Oklahoma, dropping a career-high 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting in the thrilling overtime victory. He was awarded with a second start when Missouri took on Alabama and kept up his impressive play, scoring 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting while knocking down two 3-pointers, doubling his previous career total for 3-point makes.
He's not just replacing Robinson's production — he's exceeding it. Barrett is becoming exactly what Missouri needs in the form of a high-usage ball-handler who can get to the rim at will, and is now expanding to add a 3-pointer to his game.
His emergence has been a bright spot during a dark time of the season for Missouri, and he doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon.
There is no solving the free-throw issue
Missouri shot historically bad from the free-throw line against Alabama, making eight of its 23 shots from the charity stripe. Here's a few nightmarish stats regarding the performance.
- It is the lowest free-throw percentage logged with 20 or more attempts in Missouri basketball history going back to the 1991-92 season, which was the first earliest season logging the single-game percentage on Missouri's website.
- It is only the second time a team in Division I college basketball has shot worse than 35% from the free-throw line on at least 20 attempts this season
- Missouri now ranks No. 305 in the nation in free-throw percentage with 68.37%. This is the lowest mark in the Southeastern Conference.
- There are more Tigers shooting worse than 60% (5) from the free-throw line than there are shooting better than 70% (4)
Missouri is 21 games through a 31-game regular-season schedule. This is not a slump, and these percentages are here to stay. Missouri is simply bad from the free-throw line and there's not much anyone can do about it internally — this is a problem for the offseason.
Dennis Gates' handling of Charles Bediako matters
Alabama added former NBA G League player Charles Bediako to its roster Jan. 21, confirming his second stint with the team. Missouri's contest against Alabama was Bediako's second game of the season, and unlike many other prominent figures of college basketball, Missouri head coach Dennis Gates voiced his support for Bediako.
“I support all student-athletes,” Gates said Monday. "I support Bediako.”
Bediako played an instrumental role in beating Missouri, dropping 14 points and six rebounds in 18 minutes of action.
Bediako joining college basketball after spending seasons in the G League is brand-new territory, and many have raised questions on the ethics of the new-look college basketball scene regarding former professionals returning to school.
Regardless of how many voices express their frustrations, there's a real chance that this pipeline is here to stay — at least for the short-term future. Gates expressing support for players opens the door for former pros to join Missouri's roster in the coming seasons. If other schools around the nation are going to explore that opportunity, why shouldn't Missouri?
Gates, the master recruiter known for his special relationships with players, is keeping that door open and working his magic.