Mizzou basketball unofficially began its season Friday night in with a 100-91 exhibition victory over Kansas State. The game marked the start of head coach Dennis Gates' fourth season at the helm of the program, fresh off a 22-12 season that ended in a first round loss in the NCAA Tournament. 

Missouri was forced to re-tool its roster over the offseason, as it lost 11 players through the transfer portal, the NBA or graduation. It returned seven Tigers and brought in two freshman and five transfers.

Departed

Caleb Grill, NBA
Tamar Bates, NBA
Tony Perkins, eligibility
Josh Gray, eligibility 
Marques Warrick, eligibility
Jeremy Sanchez, eligbility
Danny Stephens, transfer portal
JV Brown, transfer portal 

Arrived
Sebastian Mack, transfer portal
Jevon Porter, transfer portal
Shawn Phillips Jr., transfer portal
Jayden Stone, transfer portal
Luke Northweather, transfer portal
Aaron Rowe, high school
Nicholas Randall, high school

The Tigers entered the season ranked No. 37 on the Rothstein 45, with most major outlets ranking Missouri outside of the top 25 despite finishing the 2024-2025 season in it. Kansas State is also typically on the outside of those rankings, but are a formidable Power Four opponent nonetheless.  

Yes, it's just an exhibition match, but there's still plenty to learn, as it was the first look at the 2025-2026 Tigers squad. 

Let's (over)react.

Anthony Robinson II has taken *another* leap

Robinson took one of the biggest leaps in the nation last season, rising from spot-minute bench guard to a productive starter, leading the Tigers in steals and assists per game. 

2023-2024 stats
3.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1 assists, 1.3 steals per game, 36.7 / 20.5 / 75 shooting splits
2024-2025 stats
9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2 steals per game, 48.3 / 40 / 77.1 shooting splits

It seems like he's taken another leap, as he dropped 16 points, two rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting. His presence as a floor general, leading scorer and lockdown defender shone through, and are enticing signs going forward. 

Shawn Phillips Jr. is the perfect center for Mizzou

Phillips transferred to Mizzou to get his first shot as a full-time starting center, and is making the most of his opportunity. The traditional five earned the starting nod against Kansas State, and logged 14 points, 10 rebounds and two assists. 

He brings an entirely different fold to the offense than former starting center Josh Gray. Phillips is a much more athletic presence both in the halfcourt and transition, as well as a more effective lob threat for Robinson. 

Sebastian Mack is tough, literally 

Mack brings a tough mindset to the program that fits in with the physical playstyle of the rest of his teammates. Mack used his stocky 6-foot-3, 195 pound frame to his advantage, trucking through defenders for drives and bodying ball-handlers to wreak havoc on the other end. 

Annor Boateng is ready for a larger role

The former four-star wing didn't contribute much in his freshman season with Missouri, averaging just 1.9 points and 6.5 minutes per game last season. However, he was always going to be a project player – his offensive skills needed refining before catching up to his athleticism. 

He dropped 15 points and six rebounds on 4-for-5 shooting against Kansas State, all while playing 23 minutes, tied with Robinson for the most on the team. He appeared fluid on offense, knocking down an off-dribble 3-pointer in the fourth quarter that wasn't seen last season. 

Preseason or not, the Tigers are going to bring the intensity

T.O. Barrett and CJ Jones got into a scuffle with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter, which caused tensions to flare. The emotion carried over into postgame, which a collection of players including but not limited to Robinson, Phillips and Jevon Porter got into a verbal altercation with opposing Wildcats. 

Even Gates didn't look happy with the situation. 

Nicholas Randall might need new shoes

The pink Nikes are a great look. Unfortunately, they wouldn't stay on Randall's feet – his shoe fell off twice in the fourth quarter. Randall was still effective despite his shoes working against him, hauling in one of his three rebounds without a shoe.