Columbia, MO – โ Through its first three games, Missouriโฃ basketball is demonstrating both strengths โขand areas โขfor enhancement as it navigates the early season.While the Tigersโ have secured wins against Kansas City, Lindenwood, and VMI, defensive consistency and the integration ofโ injured players remain key โขquestions.
Opponents have consistently challenged Missouri’s defense with 3-point attempts, with all three teams achieving a shootingโข percentage above 40% from beyond theโค arc in at least one half.Mizzou coach Dennis Gates noted the team’s adjustments in response to this, stating, “I think the difference is we were able to get ther on shooters, and specifically lower their percentages. Whenโ you have a high percentage โคfield goal number, it puts stress on you.But ultimately, we did make the adjustments.”
Defensive switches and rotations have appeared somewhat slow, potentially due to early-season rust, but will be a point of focusโ as theโค season progresses. VMI’s 3-point percentage dropped from above 40% in the first half โฃto 30%โฃ inโ the second half as Missouri increased pressure on shooters.
Currently, four players are unavailable: โคShawn Phillips Jr., Trent Pierce, Annor Boateng, and Trent Burns. โฃGates anticipates Phillips’ return Wednesday, withโข Pierce potentiallyโ making his season โขdebut โฃthenโข as well. Boateng’s return timeline remains unclear, while burns is expected back later in November or early December.
Luke Northweather, a Jefferson City native, capitalized on Phillips’โ absence against VMI,โค recording 10 rebounds, three assists,โข and twoโ steals, earning additional playing time. Pierce is expected to start ahead ofโ Jevon Porterโฃ at the combo forward position. Boateng’s return could impact the minutes for Stoneโ and Crews, though they are expected to offer different โskill sets.
Gates has beenโฃ utilizing a nine-player โขrotation, a smaller numberโข than typically seen in hisโ lineups, and this is expected to expand as players recover from injury.