COLUMBIA, Mo – The Missouri Tigers moved to 3-0 on the season following a 38-point blowout win over Virginia Military Institute Sunday. Missouri was missing four rotational players – Shawn Phillips Jr., Trent Pierce, Trent Burns and Annor Boateng to injury or illness and still fought to victory. 

Here's three takeaways for the Tigers to look forward to Wednesday's home match against Minnesota. 

Perimeter aggression is back

Missouri racked up a season-high 13 steals against VMI, swarming ball-handlers with pressure to force mistakes. Anthony Robinson II led the way with four, while Luke Northweather, Sebastian Mack and T.O. Barrett each had two, and three more Tigers had one each. 

Forcing turnovers allows Missouri to play at a fast pace in transition, get to the line and get easy buckets – which it excelled at throughout the latter half of last season. 

Robinson is an infectious helm of this playstyle, using his wingspan and intensity to bother opponents at an incredible rate. His teammates follow suit, embodying the playstyle the same was Robinson has. 

Jayden Stone might be more than advertised

Jayden Stone didn't play a single game in the 2024-2025 season at West Virginia, instead battling seizures, mental health and paralyzation. Before that, his last appearance was with Detroit Mercy from 2022-2024, a far lesser level of competition than Missouri in the Southeastern Conference. 

Still, Dennis Gates took a chance on Stone to join the Tigers, bringing scoring prowess and explosiveness with him. Many expected Stone to fill a role similar to Marques Warrick last year, who averaged 6.6 points per game with the Tigers. Stone is already crushing that, averaging a tied-for-second-highest 14.3 points per game, and a team-high 3.3 assists per game. 

Stone dropped 16 points in 22 minutes off the bench against VMI, solidifying his status as an elite sixth man, and perhaps elevating it even further. 

Rebounding is elite

Despite both starting and backup centers Phillips and Burns missing the game, Missouri hauled in 50 rebounds, doubling VMI's 25. Luke Northweather and Mark Mitchell each hauled in 10 rebounds, while Jevon Porter tagged on eight and Stone hauled in seven. 

Missouri has elite size at the forward position, as three players at 6-foot-9 or taller started in yesterday's lineup. If they can continue to pound the glass and gain extra possessions, it also allows the Tigers to kickstart transition plays, playing to their strengths and identity.