Missouri didn’t just keep its size advantage. It built on it.
Ahead of the 2026-27 season, the Tigers have somehow become even longer after already finishing last season as the tallest team in college basketball. They had seven players listed at 6-foot-9 or taller a year ago, which tied for the most in the sport and gave them the highest average height in the country. Now the numbers are even more striking: 13 of Missouri’s 17 rostered players are listed at 6-foot-6 or taller, up from nine of 14 last season, and the Tigers again have seven players at 6-foot-9 or taller.
And yet, for all that size, Missouri lists only one true center: 7-foot-5 Trent Burns.
“Most 6-foot-10, 6-foot-11 (players) are post players. All of ours are versatile fours and wings, so it's definitely a different look,” Burns said on Monday's media day. “I think it'll give teams a different look that probably make some teams struggle running their offense.”
That uncommon profile runs through the roster. Missouri already knows what it has in 6-foot-9 forward Mark Mitchell and 6-foot-10 wing Trent Pierce, but the Tigers added more length in the transfer portal with Bryson Tiller and Jaylen Carey. Both bring versatility, and both can slide into center on certain looks.
Carey arrived from Tennessee as a physical rebounder, grabbing six boards in 18.5 minutes per game while carrying a 6-foot-8, 255-pound frame. Tiller, meanwhile, worked as a forward at Kansas with Flory Bidunga at center and still averaged more than six rebounds per game. This season, Missouri coach Dennis Gates wants to tap into the 6-foot-11 sophomore’s full ceiling.
"It's making sure Bryson Tiller maximizes his potential, making sure he rebounds and defends. That's very essential, very important," Gates said.
"I also want Bryson Tiller to be a vocal leader. I think when I poke the bear a little bit, he gets a little bit more animated and sometimes he often can turn green and become the Incredible Hulk."
That would fit right into Missouri’s plan. Whether Tiller starts at center or not, his athleticism and developing jumper give the Tigers another piece who can stretch beyond the traditional big-man job description.
Toni Bryant adds another layer. The 6-foot-10 freshman, a five-star prospect, has been working to operate more on the perimeter rather than living in the paint, and he showed that range during pro day by knocking down deep shots.
The frontcourt is the headliner, but the size isn’t confined to the post. Missouri also has four lengthy guards in Kennard Davis Jr., Jamier Jones, CJ Gunn and Aidan Chronister, and that group averages just under 6-foot-7.
“We're probably the biggest team in the country... this is probably the biggest team I've ever been with and athleticism is crazy,” Missouri guard Jordan Crawford said. “(I) see crazy things every day. So I feel like just us being a real big team, an athletic team, that's the biggest thing that people will see from us.”
The Tigers are not relying on height alone, either. Several of their biggest players arrive with real production attached.
Tiller started at Kansas last season. Davis started all 32 games at BYU.
Jones and Gunn each were starters at their previous schools, Providence and DePaul. Pierce and Mitchell are back after starting for Missouri.
“The only difference with this team than some other teams is just the talent level we have. We have so many different guys that can go get to the basket, we're tall, long in every single position,” Pierce said.
Gates understands the obvious selling point of this roster, but he keeps circling back to the less glamorous work. The size matters, sure. So do the possessions won on the defensive glass and the effort on that end of the floor.
“Any team that goes to the Final Four has to be a high field goal percentage defense, but also a rebounding team,” Gates said. “I want our guys to be selfish rebounders. I want us to play no different than people give us credit for our size and length and athleticism.”
With that blend of size, experience and proven contributors, Missouri is positioned to be mentioned again as one of the tallest teams in the country in 2026-27. This time, the Tigers may be even deeper and even more dangerous than before.
In Other News...
Nicholas Rodriguez Has Become The Heart Of Mizzou's Defense
Nicholas Rodriguez has spent this season turning consistency into a calling card, and Missouri has leaned on it every week. The linebacker has piled up 76 tackles, a total that ranks second nationally, and he has reached double-digit stops in six of seven games while helping steady a defense that has carried plenty of the load in Missouris 5-2 start.
Rodriguezs best work has come with the Tigers needing it most, including a standout effort against Florida that earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He has also landed on The Sporting News 2026 midseason All-America team, a fitting nod for a player whose impact goes well beyond the box score and has made him the heartbeat of Missouris defense. [Read more 🡒]