Burns Shines Off the Bench
Following a tough 85-68 defeat to Texas, Missouri's head coach Dennis Gates faced a decision. While his coaching staff was eager to hit the practice court immediately, Gates opted for a different approach.
Prioritizing his players' well-being, he gave them Sunday and Monday off, ensuring they returned refreshed. The Tigers regrouped on Tuesday for a rigorous practice, followed by a Wednesday morning walkthrough in preparation for their matchup against Vanderbilt.
A focal point of Gates' recent strategy has been redshirt freshman center Trent Burns. Gates didn't mince words, challenging Burns with a stern warning: "I'm not going to play you ever again if you don't earn it in practice."
This tough love approach seemed to resonate. During Tuesday's practice, Burns' teammates, particularly graduate senior forward Jacob Crews, rallied to his defense, urging Gates to ease up on the young center.
Burns' response to this pressure and support will be crucial as Missouri looks to bounce back. His ability to rise to the challenge could be a game-changer for the Tigers moving forward.