Mizzou’s Robinson scores season-best 19; Jevon Porter goes from starter to bench

The Missouri Tigers capitalized on some patterns they’ve built over the last few games while adding in a few new facets during an eight-point victory Thursday evening at Mizzou Arena.

They didn’t blow out Alabama State, winning 85-77, but the game always felt handily in their favor — even with the Hornets shooting 50% from 3-point range. Here are a few different reasons Mizzou was able to secure its ninth win ... and how the team will look to continue this trend in its next game this weekend.

Robinson drops 19, his best scoring night this season

A common theme thus far this season has been junior Anthony Robinson II’s hesitancy on offense.

The team captain was Missouri’s fourth-leading scorer entering Thursday’s game, but he has been reluctant to step out of a facilitator role and into that of a scorer. Most of his points thus far have been products of wide-open opportunities.

Against Alabama State, however, Robinson started capitalizing on ball movement and looking for inside opportunities rather than waiting for teammates Mark Mitchell or Shawn Phillips Jr. to have a stronger look inside.

The starting point guard’s ability to get to the free-throw line has also been a point that Mizzou coach Dennis Gates had stressed in the face of two “tough road losses” — against Notre Dame and now-No. 19 Kansas (in Kansas City).

“We’re analytically frozen,” Gates said. “I want these guys to use their instincts and stop trying to be perfect.”

Robinson let go against the Hornets more than he has so far this season, allowing himself room to make mistakes. The mindset shift earned him 19 points and five assists on the night, his best output yet in 2025-26.

“I’m trying not to worry about missed shots or what happened here, what happened there,” Robinson said. “Just ultimately being aggressive every play.”

Jevon Porter goes from starting to sitting

While Robinson had his best outing of the season to date, MU senior Jevon Porter had a different kind of night — he sat on the bench for all but 1 minute, 19 seconds of game time.

Porter’s play against KU was uninspiring. His shot selection and overall hustle were both questionable. His performance in the rivalry matchup wasn’t the cause for his limited court time, though: Gates reported that Porter has been “under the weather” this week.

“I wanted to test his wind early, and, you know, at that point he wasn’t able to go in that second half,” Gates said.

Barrett seeing more minutes, balancing Tigers’ offense

In Mizzou’s last three games, sophomore T.O. Barrett has helped Robinson handle on-ball pressure, facilitate the offense and hustle on the defensive end.

He was an integral piece in the Tigers’ successful moments through their last two losses and their win Thursday.

“Me and T.O., you know, we have a connection,” Robinson said. “I can rely on T.O. to make plays, and he can rely on me. T.O.’s another playmaker, so he helps us — helps me — get shots, and you know, I’m grateful for that.”

Barrett could be close to entering Gates’ starting lineup. Sebastian Mack’s shot selection at Notre Dame cost the junior his starting spot in favor of sophomore Annor Boateng.

“I’m proud of (Barrett’s) growth, but I’m also proud of the dynamic that he allows us to play with,” Gates said. “My thoughts the last two games (were) to either start Annor (Boateng) or T.O. Regardless, those guys have to be able to play for us and do the things that they’re doing and keep playing with a passion.”

The Tigers play host to Bethune-Cookman at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mizzou Arena.

Copyright 2025 Columbia Missourian