Heading into their final non-conference matchup of the season - the annual Braggin’ Rights rivalry game against Illinois in St. Louis - Missouri finds itself at a bit of a crossroads.
The Tigers currently sit at No. 73 in the NET rankings, which places them 12th among SEC teams. For context, that’s the second-lowest NET position Missouri has held at this point in the season during Dennis Gates’ four-year tenure.
Still, Gates isn’t hitting the panic button. Far from it. He remains confident that the Tigers’ schedule - while not loaded with early marquee wins - is setting them up for a strong second half of the season.
“Our schedule has prepared us,” Gates said earlier this month. “Minnesota just beat Indiana.
When you look at our schedule, it’s right on course with what it’s been in the past, especially in terms of the NET. Our strength of schedule is 364 right now, but that number improves over time with games like Kansas, Minnesota, Illinois, and our SEC slate.
That’s where the strength of schedule really starts to climb.”
Now, Gates may have slightly overstated the consistency of Missouri’s NET positioning compared to past years. When he made those comments ahead of the Kansas game on Dec.
5, Missouri was ranked 64th - not exactly the same as previous seasons. For reference, the Tigers were 34th on Dec. 5, 2022; 115th in 2023; and 48th in 2024.
That fluctuation matters when you look at how a neutral-site game would have been classified each year: a Quad 1 opponent in 2022 and 2024, Quad 2 in 2025, and Quad 3 in 2023.
Since that Kansas game, Missouri has dropped nine spots in the NET rankings - a slide that reflects the weight of their schedule more than any glaring issues on the court. Gates, though, remains firm in his approach.
“There’s a lot of teams that have overscheduled,” he said before Missouri’s Dec. 10 matchup with Alabama State. “I’m not going to overschedule.
We’re right where we need to be in terms of maximizing what we need to maximize. The only thing I’d change is balancing the ACC/SEC Challenge road game with something like Kansas - not stacking too many high-pressure road games in a row.
That’s when you really start to see a different version of your team.”
It’s a calculated philosophy - one that prioritizes long-term growth and positioning over flashy early wins. But it’s also one that puts the Tigers in a tricky spot heading into SEC play, where the margin for error shrinks dramatically.
Let’s take a look at where Missouri stands compared to the rest of the SEC in the current NET rankings:
SEC NET Rankings Snapshot
- Vanderbilt - Rank: 7 (10-0)
The Commodores are quietly building a case as the SEC’s most complete team early on. With a perfect record and a clean sweep across all four quadrants, they’ve been efficient and consistent.
- Alabama - Rank: 14 (7-3)
The Crimson Tide have challenged themselves with a tough schedule and held their own. A 3-3 record in Quad 1 games shows they’re battle-tested.
- Georgia - Rank: 17 (9-1) Georgia’s biggest leap in the rankings (+19 since Dec. 1) comes thanks to a strong non-conference record and a spotless run against Quad 3 and 4 opponents.
- Arkansas - Rank: 18 (8-2)
Another big riser, the Razorbacks are gaining momentum. A 2-2 Quad 1 record adds credibility to their early success.
- Florida - Rank: 22 (6-4)
Despite the losses, Florida has faced a tough schedule and come out with a respectable NET profile. Their 1-3 Quad 1 record doesn’t tell the full story.
- Kentucky - Rank: 27 (7-4) The Wildcats have taken a slight dip (-12), but their six wins in Quad 4 games show they’ve handled business where expected.
- LSU - Rank: 32 (9-1)
LSU’s only loss came in Quad 1, and they’ve taken care of the rest. Their NET drop (-13) is more about opponents’ strength than their own missteps.
- Auburn - Rank: 33 (8-3)
Auburn’s schedule has been solid, and they’ve done well to avoid bad losses. Their 1-3 Quad 1 record is offset by clean performances elsewhere.
- Tennessee - Rank: 34 (7-3)
A 22-spot slide is eye-catching, but the Vols have the talent to recover. Their strength of schedule will give them chances to climb back up.
- Oklahoma - Rank: 50 (7-3)
A massive jump (+44) has Oklahoma trending in the right direction. They’ve got a balanced resume and room to grow.
- Texas - Rank: 68 (6-4)
Texas hasn’t moved since Dec. 1, but a 1-3 Quad 1 record shows they’ve been tested. They’ll need more quality wins to make a move.
- Missouri - Rank: 73 (10-2)
The Tigers have racked up wins, but the lack of Quad 1 or 2 victories is holding them back. Their 9-0 record in Quad 4 games shows they’re beating the teams they should - now they need to prove it against tougher competition.
- Texas A&M - Rank: 81 (8-3)
A&M’s resume is similar to Missouri’s, but with fewer total wins. Their NET position reflects a need for stronger performances in higher-quadrant games.
- Ole Miss - Rank: 98 (6-4) The Rebels have struggled in Quad 1 and 2 games and haven’t done enough elsewhere to compensate.
- South Carolina - Rank: 114 (7-3)
Despite a solid record, the Gamecocks have no wins outside of Quad 4. That’s a tough sell to the committee come March.
- Mississippi State - Rank: 133 (5-5)
The Bulldogs are climbing (+39), but they’ve got ground to make up. Their .500 record and lack of Quad 1 or 2 wins are limiting their ceiling for now.
What It Means for Missouri
At 10-2, Missouri has taken care of business against lower-tier opponents, but the NET ranking tells the real story. Without a Quad 1 or 2 win, the Tigers are still searching for a signature moment - and the Braggin’ Rights game against Illinois could be just that. It’s a chance to boost their resume before the SEC gauntlet begins.
Coach Gates is betting on the long game - a schedule that ramps up in difficulty, giving his team time to grow and gel. Whether that approach pays off will depend on how Missouri handles the upcoming stretch.
The pieces are there. Now it’s about putting them together when it counts.