Five pivotal moments under Dennis Gates’ leadership

This collection of stories explores pivotal moments in Dennis Gates' tenure as Mizzou basketball coach. The addition of Connor Vanover, a 7-foot-5 center from Oral Roberts, highlights Gates' strategic recruiting efforts to boost the team’s competitiveness. The recruitment of four-star forward Marcus Allen underscores Gates' focus on bringing top talent to Mizzou.

The challenges revealed in the loss to Mississippi State illustrate some of the obstacles the team faced under Gates, while the Braggin’ Rights loss to Illinois demonstrates the fluctuations in the team’s performance. The hiring of assistant coach Rob Summers adds a new dimension to the coaching team, emphasizing development in the post player area. Read the stories below.

Missouri guard Nick Honor (10) tries to dribble past Mississippi State guard Dashawn Davis during the first half of a game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. By Rogelio V. Solis

NO. 1: FAMILIAR ISSUES EMERGE FOR SHORTHANDED TIGERS AS MIZZOU FALLS TO MISSISSIPPI STATE

Missouri was without some of its regular contributors in a loss to Mississippi State on Saturday. Here’s where things fell flat... | Published February 5, 2023 | Read Full Story by Matt Stahl

Oral Roberts forward Connor Vanover (35) defends Duke Blue Devils center Dereck Lively II during the first half at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, on March 16, 2023.

NO. 2: MIZZOU BASKETBALL LANDS 7-FOOT-5 TRANSFER FROM ORAL ROBERTS. HERE’S WHAT HE BRINGS MU

The Missouri Tigers are adding one of college basketball’s biggest players to their roster. Meet their new transfer addition. | Published June 5, 2023 | Read Full Story by Matt Stahl

Mizzou basketball coach Dennis Gates smiles during his introductory press conference at the Albrecht Family Practice Facility inside Mizzou Arena in Columbia in 2022. By Madeline Carter

NO. 3: MISSOURI TIGERS LAND NEW MEN’S BASKETBALL COMMITMENT. HE’S A 4-STAR, TOP-60 FORWARD

Dennis Gates and Missouri men’s basketball landed a new commitment on Monday. | Published August 8, 2023 | Read Full Story by Calum McAndrew

Illinois’ Coleman Hawkins, right, heads to the basket as Missouri’s Trent Pierce defends during Friday night’s Braggin’ Rights basketball game in St. Louis. By Jeff Roberson

NO. 4: BRAGGIN’ RIGHTS LOSS TO ILLINOIS MAKES CLEAR HOW FAR MIZZOU HAS TO GO THIS SEASON

After Mizzou’s 97-73 loss to Illinois, coach Dennis Gates said that MU’s progress probably can’t be seen by the naked eye from the outside. He was right. | Published December 23, 2023 | Read Full Story by Vahe Gregorian

New Missouri Tigers assistant coach Rob Summers. By Contributed photo

NO. 5: MISSOURI BASKETBALL’S NEWEST 7-FOOTER IS ... ACTUALLY THE NEW ASSISTANT COACH

Get to know Rob Summers, the newest Mizzou basketball assistant coach. He has past experience with Dennis Gates. | Published April 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Maddie Hartley

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.