After a scorching 8-0 start to the 2025-26 season, Mizzou men’s basketball is hitting the road for its toughest test yet - a primetime matchup against Notre Dame in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT Tuesday on ESPNU, and if the Tigers keep playing the way they have, they won’t just be looking to stay perfect - they’ll be making a statement.
Mizzou’s Offense Is Rolling - And Then Some
Let’s start with the obvious: Missouri is cooking. The Tigers are averaging 92.9 points per game, and they’re doing it with surgical efficiency - shooting 55.5% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc.
That field goal percentage? Best in the nation.
Their effective field goal rate? Third-best at 62.6%.
This isn’t just a hot streak - it’s a full-blown offensive system firing on all cylinders.
Leading the charge is Mark Mitchell, who’s playing like a man on a mission. He’s putting up 17.1 points per game while shooting a blistering 64.4% from the floor.
Add in 3.5 assists and 6.3 rebounds per night, and you’ve got one of the most complete stat lines in the country. In fact, he’s the only player in the nation averaging at least 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting over 60%.
That’s elite company - or rather, no company at all.
But Mitchell’s not doing it alone. Mizzou has five players averaging double digits - Jayden Stone (13.3), Jacob Crews (13.1), Anthony Robinson II (10.6), and Sebastian Mack (10.6) are all playing key roles.
Big man Shawn Phillips Jr. is anchoring the glass with a team-high 7.2 rebounds per game. This team doesn’t just have depth - it has scoring depth, and that’s a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Blowout Wins, Balanced Scoring, and a National Statement
Missouri’s last three wins have all come by 25 points or more, including an 86-59 drubbing of Cleveland State. Six of their eight wins this season have come by 20+ points - more than any other team in the country. That includes a 23-point rout of Minnesota, Mizzou’s largest win in 146 games against Big Ten opponents.
It’s not just the starters doing the damage, either. Ten different Tigers have hit double figures at least once this season.
Most recently, junior Luke Northweather joined the party with 10 points off the bench in Friday’s win. Twice this season, Mizzou has had six players score 10+ in the same game.
That kind of balance is rare - and dangerous.
What’s at Stake in South Bend
Tuesday’s showdown with Notre Dame is more than just another game - it’s a chance for Mizzou to match its best start in over a decade. A win would move the Tigers to 9-0, equaling the 2022-23 squad for the best opening stretch in the last 12 seasons. It would also extend their win streak in conference challenge games to four, following recent victories over Pitt, California, and Iowa State.
But playing in South Bend won’t be easy. Mizzou is just 1-2 all-time on the road against Notre Dame, despite holding a 7-2 edge in the overall series.
The last time these two teams met was back in the 2011-12 season, when Mizzou ran away with an 87-58 win in Kansas City. Tuesday marks their first meeting in over a decade - and the stakes are high.
Scouting the Fighting Irish
Notre Dame enters the matchup at 5-3, coming off a mixed bag of results at the Players Era Festival. They picked up a win over Rutgers but fell to Kansas and Houston. The Irish are averaging 75.4 points per game while allowing 67.3 - solid, but not spectacular.
The engine of their offense is Markus Burton, who’s averaging 20.1 points and 2.8 assists. He’s a dynamic scorer who can heat up quickly, and he’ll be the top priority for Mizzou’s defense.
Freshman Jalen Haralson is also in double figures at 13.1 points per game, while Carson Towt is cleaning up the boards with 10.4 rebounds a night. Notre Dame might not be as explosive as Mizzou, but they’ve got enough firepower to make this one interesting - especially at home.
Tigers vs. the ACC - A Growing Track Record
Missouri has a 15-20 all-time record against ACC opponents, but that stat doesn’t tell the full story. Under Coach Dennis Gates, the Tigers are a perfect 2-0 against the conference, with wins over Pitt in 2023 and Cal last season (in a shootout, 98-93).
Add in their recent challenge win over No. 12 Iowa State, and Mizzou has been thriving in these spotlight games.
They’re 2-4 in road challenge games overall, but one of those wins came just last year at Pitt - another sign that this program is trending in the right direction under Gates.
Bottom Line
Mizzou is playing some of the best basketball in the country right now - and they’re doing it with a mix of elite efficiency, balanced scoring, and relentless pace. Tuesday’s game at Notre Dame offers a chance to prove they’re more than just a fast starter - they’re a legitimate threat on the national stage.
If the Tigers keep doing what they’ve been doing - sharing the ball, knocking down shots, and playing with confidence - they’ll be tough to beat. And if they leave South Bend with another win, don’t be surprised if the rest of the college basketball world starts paying a lot more attention.