No two college basketball teams are built the same, and this year’s Missouri squad is a prime example of that truth.
Under head coach Dennis Gates, the Tigers have often leaned into high-octane offense - teams that could shoot the lights out, push the tempo, and win shootouts even if they struggled on the defensive end or on the boards. But this season?
It’s a different story. Missouri’s identity has shifted, and it’s showing up in the numbers and on the floor.
According to KenPom, Mizzou sits 12th in the SEC in offensive efficiency during conference play, scoring 110.0 points per 100 possessions. Not exactly the firepower we’ve seen from Gates-led teams in the past.
But defensively, they’ve climbed the ladder - ranking fourth in the SEC by allowing just 110.1 points per 100 possessions. Add in the fact that they’re in the top half of the league in both offensive and defensive rebounding rate, and you’ve got a team that’s starting to win in new ways.
Gates credits the shift to a combination of player identity and coaching adaptation.
“It’s a little bit of both,” Gates said. “In today’s game, you don’t always have roster continuity.
You’ve got to bring in talent, and sometimes that talent doesn’t fit the old system. So as a coach, you adjust.”
One of the biggest adjustments has come in the form of Shawn Phillips. The big man brings a physical presence that Missouri hasn’t had in recent years - and it’s made a tangible impact.
Gates acknowledged that while some may focus on Phillips’ shortcomings, what’s often overlooked is the value of his size, athleticism, and toughness. He’s been a force on the glass and a presence in the paint defensively, helping Missouri hold its own in areas that used to be weaknesses.
“His rebounding, his shot-blocking, his tenacity - those things don’t always show up in the box score the way points do, but they’re huge for us,” Gates said.
That evolution has paid off in some key wins. Missouri held Florida - the SEC’s top-rated offense - to just 74 points.
They kept Kentucky in check, allowing only 69. And in their most recent outing, they dominated South Carolina on the boards, out-rebounding them 44-28.
Still, Gates knows there’s work to be done. The Tigers aren’t leading the league in any one category, and as the regular season winds down, there’s a sense of urgency to tighten things up.
Assistant coach Ryan Sharbaugh, who Gates refers to as his “defensive coordinator,” has played a big role in Missouri’s growth on that end. But Gates isn’t satisfied yet.
“From a rebounding standpoint, we’ve got to be more consistent,” he said. “We need to alter shots even if we’re not blocking them, and we’ve got to stay disciplined and avoid fouling. That’s how you stay out of rotation and play solid defense.”
Guard play has been a bright spot, with T.O. Barrett and Ant Robinson earning praise for their on-ball defense.
But Gates wants more from his backcourt when it comes to rebounding. On the wings, players like Trent Pierce and Jacob Crews bring valuable length and switchability - but that versatility only works if they can hold their own when switched onto smaller, quicker guards.
“It’s a unit effort,” Gates said. “We’ve been working on this since day one, and we’ll keep working on it.”
Next up, Missouri hits the road for a matchup with Texas A&M on Wednesday night, with tipoff set for 8 p.m. CT on SEC Network. With the NCAA Tournament picture still murky, every game matters - but Gates isn’t letting his team get caught up in bracket talk just yet.
“There’s going to be a lot of movement between now and the end of the SEC season,” he said. “You’ve got to keep your players in the moment. The games come fast, scouting reports change, and you can’t afford to look too far ahead or dwell on the past.”
In a league as deep and competitive as the SEC, Gates knows the margin for error is razor-thin. But if Missouri continues to buy into its new identity - gritty defense, improved rebounding, and a team-first mentality - they’ve got a shot to make some noise down the stretch.