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Missouri Tigers men's basketball
NCAA Division I Men's Basketball team representing the University of Missouri
NCAA Division I Men's Basketball team representing the University of Missouri
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Missouri Tigers |
| current | 2025–26 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team |
| logo | Mizzou Athletics wordmark.svg |
| logo_size | 250 |
| university | University of Missouri |
| firstseason | 1907 |
| record | |
| athletic_director | Laird Veatch |
| coach | Dennis Gates |
| tenure | 4th |
| conference | Southeastern Conference |
| location | Columbia, Missouri |
| arena | Mizzou Arena |
| capacity | 15,061 |
| nickname | Tigers |
| h_pattern_b | _thinblacksides |
| h_body | FFFFFF |
| h_shorts | 2C2A29 |
| h_pattern_s | _thinsidesonwhite |
| a_pattern_b | _thingoldsides |
| a_body | 2C2A29 |
| a_shorts | 2C2A29 |
| a_pattern_s | _goldsides |
| 3_pattern_b | _thinblacksides |
| 3_body | C69214 |
| 3_shorts | C69214 |
| 3_pattern_s | _blacksides |
| bestfinish | 8 |
| NCAAeliteeight | 1944, 1976, 1994*, 2002, 2009 |
| NCAAsweetsixteen | 1976, 1980, 1982, 1989, 1994*, 2002, 2009 |
| NCAAroundof32 | 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1989, 1992, 1994*, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2023 |
| NCAAtourneys | 1944, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994*, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2025 |
| conference_tournament | 1978, 1982, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 2009, 2012 |
| conference_season | 1918, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1930, 1939, 1940, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1990, 1994 |
| below | * - vacated by NCAA |
The Missouri Tigers men's basketball team represents the University of Missouri in the SEC. Prior to the 2012–2013 season, the basketball team represented the school in the Big 12 Conference. They are located in Columbia, Missouri, playing home games at Mizzou Arena (15,061). The team last played in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2025. The Tigers' season in 2022–23 was their first under head coach Dennis Gates, who was hired away from Cleveland State to replace the fired Cuonzo Martin. The Missouri men's basketball program was a charter member of the Big 12 Conference, formed from the Big Eight Conference in 1996. Entering the 2023–24 season the Tigers had an all-time record of 1,691–1,245 and a winning percentage of .
History
The Early Years and Conference Foundation (1907–1928)
The University of Missouri men's basketball program was founded in the 1907–08 season, with the team playing its first game on January 12, 1907, a decisive 65–5 victory over Central College of Fayette. The program was a charter member of the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MVIAA), the conference that would later evolve into the Big Eight. The Tigers achieved early conference success under coaches like Walter Meanwell and Craig Ruby.
Historical National Championship Selectors
While Missouri has never won the NCAA Tournament (established in 1939) and has never been officially recognized by the NCAA as a national champion, the university was twice retroactively designated as being the top-ranked team of the season by the Premo-Porretta Power Poll. The 1920–21 and 1921–22 teams, which won conference titles, were designated as the top teams in the nation by this poll, an unofficial, mathematical rating system for the pre-tournament era. These selections are not officially recognized by the NCAA, and the university does not claim being a national champion for either of these seasons.
The Big Six/Big Eight Eras and First NCAA Appearances (1928–1975)
Following the split of the MVIAA, Missouri became a member of the Big Six Conference in 1928, later evolving into the Big Seven and then the Big Eight. Under coach George Edwards (1926–1946), the Tigers won three Big Six regular-season titles. Edwards also led the program to its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 1944, where the Tigers advanced to the regional semifinal (now known as the Elite Eight).
The team played in the Brewer Fieldhouse for decades before moving into the Hearnes Center in 1972, a move that significantly boosted the program's profile and attendance capacity.
The Norm Stewart Era: Big Eight Dominance (1976–1999)
The longest and most successful coaching tenure in program history belongs to Norm Stewart, an alumnus who coached the Tigers for 32 seasons (1967–1999). Stewart won 634 games at Missouri, more than the program had won in its entire 60-year history before his arrival.
The Stewart era was defined by Big Eight success and a fierce rivalry with the Kansas Jayhawks ("The Border War"). Stewart's teams won eight Big Eight regular-season championships and six conference tournament titles. His teams reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament twice (1976 and 1994), though the 1994 appearance was later vacated by the NCAA. The 1993–94 team achieved a perfect 14–0 conference record, earning Stewart multiple national coach of the year awards. Stewart also co-founded the Coaches vs. Cancer program following his own battle with the disease.
Big 12 and Modern Runs (2000–2012)
Following Stewart's retirement, the program saw a renewed burst of NCAA Tournament success under Quin Snyder and Mike Anderson. Snyder led the Tigers to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight run in 2002. Anderson, who ran a high-tempo style dubbed "The Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball," led the Tigers to a school-record 31 wins in the 2008–09 season. That team captured the Big 12 Tournament Championship and advanced to the Elite Eight. Anderson led the team to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (2009–2011).
In 2004, the team moved into its current home, Mizzou Arena. The program concluded its Big 12 membership in its final year, 2012, by winning the conference tournament championship.
The SEC Era (2012–Present)
The University of Missouri officially joined the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in July 2012, concluding its long history in the Big Eight and Big 12 conferences. The transition brought new rivalries and challenges in one of the nation's premier basketball leagues. While the program has yet to win an SEC regular-season or tournament title, it has secured multiple NCAA Tournament berths during the SEC era, including a successful run under current coach Dennis Gates (hired in 2022).
Coaching history
Main article: List of Missouri Tigers men's basketball head coaches
Current coaching staff
- Dennis Gates – Men's Basketball Head Coach
- Kyle Smithpeters – Associate Head Coach
- Dickey Nutt – Assistant Coach
- Steve Wright – Assistant Coach
- Matt Cline – Offensive Coordinator
- Ryan Sharbaugh – Defensive Coordinator
- Griffin McHone – Director of Basketball Operations
- Tim Fuller – General Manager
- David Carter – Assistant to the Head Coach / Analytics
- Sean Conaty – Director of Basketball Athletic Performance
- Chris Perrin – Senior Athletic Trainer
- Latisha Mayes – Executive Staff Assistant
Record vs. Big 12 opponents (1996-2012)
| Missouri | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vs. | Overall Record | at Columbia | at Opponent's | |||||
| Venue | at Neutral Site | Last 5 Meetings | Last 10 Meetings | Current Streak | During Time | |||
| in Big 12 | ||||||||
| Baylor | MU, 16–10 | MU, 10–2 | BU, 6–4 | Tied, 2–2 | MU, 4–1 | MU, 7–3 | W 4 | MU, 13–6 |
| Iowa State | MU, 151–86 | MU, 87–21 | ISU, 60–48 | MU, 16–5 | MU, 3-2 | MU, 8–2 | W 1 | MU, 20–14 |
| Kansas | KU, 175–95 | KU, 66–57 | KU, 90–31 | KU, 19–7 | KU, 4–1 | KU, 8–2 | W 1 | KU, 25–10 |
| Kansas State | KSU, 121–116 | MU, 64–42 | KSU, 62–44 | KSU, 17–8 | KSU, 5–0 | KSU, 7–3 | L 5 | MU, 18–15 |
| Oklahoma | OU, 115–97 | MU, 62–31 | OU, 66–21 | OU, 18–14 | OU, 3–2 | tied, 5–5 | L 3 | OU, 13–11 |
| Oklahoma State | MU, 77–42 | MU, 45–7 | OSU, 29–21 | MU, 10–6 | MU, 3–2 | MU, 6-4 | L 1 | MU, 11–9 |
| Texas | MU, 14–12 | MU, 7–4 | UT, 6–4 | MU, 3–2 | MU, 4–1 | MU, 6–4 | W 3 | UT, 11–9 |
| Texas A&M | TAMU, 24-20 | TAMU, 10-8 | TAMU, 13-7 | MU, 5–1 | TAMU, 3–2 | TAMU, 6-4 | L 1 | Tied, 10–10 |
| Texas Tech | MU, 15–8 | MU, 8–2 | TTU, 6–3 | MU, 4–0 | MU, 5–0 | MU, 8–2 | W 7 | MU, 13–7 |
| *As of March 12, 2023 |
Record vs. other opponents (at least 15 games played)
| Missouri | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vs. | Overall Record | at Columbia | at Opponent's | ||||
| Venue | at Neutral Site | Last 5 Meetings | Last 10 Meetings | Current Streak | |||
| Colorado | MU, 99–53 | MU, 57–11 | CU, 34–30 | MU, 12–8 | MU, 4–1 | MU, 9–1 | W 1 |
| Creighton | MU, 9–7 | MU, 3–2 | Tied, 4–4 | MU, 2–1 | MU, 3–2 | CU, 6–4 | L 1 |
| Drake | MU, 27–7 | MU, 17–3 | MU, 10–4 | Tied, 0–0 | MU, 4–1 | MU, 8–2 | W 4 |
| Illinois | UI, 33–20 | Tied, 3–3 | UI, 4–1 | UI, 26–16 | MU, 3-2 | UI, 6–4 | W 1 |
| Indiana | Tied, 9–9 | MU, 5–3 | IU, 6–3 | MU, 1–0 | MU, 4–1 | Tied, 5–5 | W 3 |
| Iowa | UI, 10–7 | MU, 4–2 | UI, 7–2 | Tied, 1–1 | MU, 3–2 | Tied, 5–5 | W 2 |
| Nebraska | MU, 126–93 | MU, 70–25 | NU, 56–42 | MU, 14–12 | MU, 3–2 | Tied, 5–5 | L 1 |
| Saint Louis | MU, 21–19 | SLU, 12–10 | MU, 11–6 | SLU, 1–0 | MU, 3–2 | Tied, 5–5 | W 2 |
| Washington U. of StL | MU, 71–29 | MU, 42–8 | MU, 29–21 | Tied, 0–0 | MU, 5–0 | MU, 8–2 | W 7 |
| *As of March 18, 2023 |
Record vs. SEC opponents
| Missouri | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vs. | Overall Record | at Columbia | at Opponent's | |||||
| Venue | at Neutral Site | Last 5 Meetings | Last 10 Meetings | Current Streak | Since Joining SEC | |||
| Alabama | UA, 14–7 | MU, 5-4 | UA, 7–1 | UA, 3–1 | UA, 3-2 | UA, 6–4 | L 3 | UA, 10–6 |
| Arkansas | UA, 33-27 | MU, 17–12 | UA, 19–10 | UA, 2–0 | UA, 4-1 | UA, 6-4 | W 1 | UA, 14–9 |
| Auburn | AU, 9-6 | MU, 4-3 | AU, 5–1 | Tie, 1–1 | AU, 4–1 | AU, 8-2 | L 3 | AU, 9–6 |
| Florida | UF, 9-4 | Tied, 3-3 | UF, 5–1 | UF, 1–0 | UF, 3-2 | UF, 7-3 | L 2 | UF, 9–4 |
| Georgia | MU, 11-8 | MU, 5–2 | UGA, 5–3 | MU, 3–1 | MU, 4-1 | MU, 7-3 | W 3 | Tied, 8–8 |
| Kentucky | UK, 13–3 | UK, 4–3 | UK, 7–0 | UK, 2–0 | UK, 3-2 | UK, 7-3 | W 1 | UK, 10–3 |
| LSU | LSU, 11–4 | Tied, 3–3 | LSU, 6–1 | LSU, 2–0 | LSU, 3-2 | LSU, 8-2 | W 2 | LSU, 10–4 |
| Mississippi State | MSU, 13-6 | MU, 5–4 | MSU, 9–1 | Tied, 0–0 | MSU, 4-1 | MSU, 8-2 | W 1 | MSU, 12–4 |
| Ole Miss | UM, 15–8 | UM, 6–4 | UM, 7-3 | UM, 2–1 | MU, 5-0 | MU, 6-4 | W 5 | UM, 15–8 |
| South Carolina | MU, 9-7 | MU, 6–1 | SC, 5-3 | SC, 1–0 | MU, 3–2 | MU, 6-4 | W 1 | MU, 9–7 |
| Tennessee | UT, 11–10 | Tied, 5–5 | UT, 5–4 | Tied, 1–1 | MU, 3-2 | UT, 6-4 | W 2 | UT, 9–6 |
| Texas A&M | TAMU, 24–20 | TAMU, 10-8 | TAMU, 13–7 | MU, 5–1 | TAMU, 3–2 | TAMU, 6-4 | L 2 | TAMU, 14–7 |
| Vanderbilt | MU, 9-7 | MU, 7–0 | VU, 6-2 | VU, 1–0 | MU, 4-1 | MU, 6–4 | W 1 | MU, 7–4 |
| *As of March 12, 2023 |
Postseason
NCAA tournament results
The Tigers have appeared in the NCAA tournament 30 times. Their combined record is 23–30. However, their appearance in 1994 has been vacated by the NCAA, making their official record 20–29.
| 2025 | #6 | First Round | #11 Drake | L 57–67 |
|---|
- Vacated by the NCAA
NCAA Tournament seeding history
The NCAA began seeding the tournament with the 1979 edition.
| Years → | '80 | '81 | '82 | '83 | '86 | '87 | '88 | '89 | '90 | '92 | '93 | '94 | '95 | '99 | '00 | '01 | '02 | '03 | '09 | '10 | '11 | '12 | '13 | '18 | '21 | '23 | '25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seeds→ | 5 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
NIT results
The Tigers have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) eight times. Their combined record is 2–8.
| 2014 | First Round |
|---|---|
| Second Round | Davidson |
| Southern Miss | W 85–77 |
| L 63–71 |
NCIT results
The Tigers appeared in one of the only two ever National Commissioners Invitational Tournaments. Their record is 0–1.
| 1975 | Quarterfinals | Purdue | L 74–87 |
|---|
Retired numbers
Main article: List of NCAA men's basketball retired numbers
Missouri has retired eight jersey numbers, with the most recent ones being the numbers of Derrick Chievous and John Brown in 2019.
| Missouri Tigers}}" | No. | Missouri Tigers}}" | Player | Missouri Tigers}}" | Tenure | Missouri Tigers}}" | No. ret. | Missouri Tigers}}" | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Derrick Chievous | 1984–1988 | 2019 | ||||||
| 20 | Jon Sundvold | 1979–1983 | |||||||
| 22 | Norm Stewart | 1953–1956 | |||||||
| 30 | Willie Smith | 1974–1976 | |||||||
| 34 | Doug Smith | 1987–1991 | |||||||
| 40 | Steve Stipanovich | 1979–1983 | |||||||
| 43 | Bill Stauffer | 1949–1952 | |||||||
| 50 | John Brown | 1970–1973 | 2019 |
Tigers in the NBA
Current
- Jordan Clarkson (Utah Jazz)
- Michael Porter Jr. (Denver Nuggets)
- Dru Smith (Miami Heat)
- Kobe Brown (Los Angeles Clippers)
- D'Moi Hodge (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Tamar Bates (Denver Nuggets)
Former
- Kareem Rush (Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Bobcats, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers)
- Keyon Dooling (Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies)
- Larry Drew (Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers)
- Jon Sundvold (Seattle SuperSonics, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat)
- Steve Stipanovich (Indiana Pacers)
- Doug Smith (Dallas Mavericks)
- Byron Irvin (Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Washington Bullets)
- Anthony Peeler (Los Angeles Lakers, Vancouver Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards)
- Thomas Gardner (Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs)
- Derrick Chievous (Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Melvin Booker (Houston Rockets)
- John Brown (Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz)
- Rickey Paulding (Detroit Pistons)
- Linas Kleiza (Denver Nuggets)
- Kim English (Detroit Pistons)
- Jabari Brown (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Al Eberhard (Detroit Pistons)
- Phil Pressey (Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers)
- DeMarre Carroll (Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets)
- Jontay Porter (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Jonathan Williams (Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards)
Tigers in the NBA G-League
Former
- J. T. Tiller, Idaho Stampede
- Thomas Gardner, Austin Toros & Reno Bighorns
- Marshall Brown, Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- DeMarre Carroll, Dakota Wizards
- Leo Lyons, Dakota Wizards
- Kareem Rush, Los Angeles D-Fenders
- Alex Oriakhi, Erie BayHawks
- Jordan Clarkson, Los Angeles D-Fenders
- Jabari Brown, Los Angeles D-Fenders
- Stefhon Hannah, Reno Bighorns
- Jordan Barnett, Wisconsin Herd & Fort Wayne Mad Ants
- JaKeenan Gant, Fort Wayne Mad Ants
- Jonathan Williams, South Bay Lakers & Capital City Go-Go
- Jontay Porter, Wisconsin Herd & Motor City Cruise
Tigers in European leagues
Current
- Jason Conley, Kouvot (Finland)
- JaKeenan Gant, Hapoel Be'er Sheva (Israel)
- Marcus Denmon, Peristeri B.C. (Greece)
- Tyler Stone, Israeli Basketball Premier League
Former
- Rickey Paulding, EWE Baskets Oldenburg (Germany)
- J.T. Tiller, Landstede Basketbal (Netherlands)
- Linas Kleiza, Olimpia Milano (Italy)
Tigers in other leagues
Current
- Leo Lyons, Altiri Chiba, (Japan)
- Ricardo Ratliffe, Jeonju KCC Egis (South Korea)
- Jeremiah Tilmon, Brampton Honey Badgers (Canada)
- Johnathan Williams, Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya (Japan)
Missouri Tigers All-Americans
- Fred Williams, 1916
- Craig Ruby, F, 1918–1919
- George Williams, C, 1920–1921
- Herb Bunker, G, 1921–1923
- Arthur Browning, F, 1922–1923
- Marshall Craig, F, 1930
- Max Collings, 1931
- John Lobsiger, G, 1939–1940
- Bill Stauffer, C, 1952
- Norm Stewart, G, 1956, former head coach at Northern Iowa (1961–1967) and Mizzou (1967–1999)
- Charles Henke, C, 1961
- John Brown, F, 1972–1973
- Willie Smith, G, 1976
- Ricky Frazier, F, 1982
- Steve Stipanovich, C, 1983
- Jon Sundvold, G, 1983
- Derrick Chievous, F, 1987
- Doug Smith, F, 1990
- Anthony Peeler, G, 1992
- Melvin Booker, G, 1994
- Marcus Denmon, G, 2012
- Phil Pressey, G, 2013
Participations in FIBA competitions
- 1976 FIBA Intercontinental Cup: 5th place
References
References
- (March 22, 2022). "Dennis Gates hired as Missouri basketball coach".
- "Big 12 Conference".
- "Dec. 12, 1999: Mizzou vs. SLU basketball".
- (1996-11-19). "Missouri Punished by NCAA for Player's Violations".
- Jones, Daniel. (February 19, 2019). "Chievous gets moment in spotlight as Missouri retires No. 3". Linn County Leader.
- Schiffer, Alex. (March 9, 2019). "'Now I can die': Mizzou retires John Brown's No. 50 basketball jersey". [[The Kansas City Star]].
- [http://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/jon-sunvold/ Sundvold bio] at mosportshalloffame.com
- [https://mutigers.com/honors/hall-of-fame/norm-stewart/15 Stewart bio] at Mizou
- [https://mutigers.com/honors/hall-of-fame/willie-smith/38 Willie Smith bio] at Mizou
- [http://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/doug-smith/ Dough Smith] at mosportshalloffame.com
- [https://www.stlshof.com/steve-stipanovich-2/ STEVE STIPANOVICH Basketball] at stlshof.com
- [https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/sports/college/basketball/2015/11/29/mu-basketball-legend-stauffer-dies/21770947007/ MU basketball legend Stauffer dies] at Columbia Tribune, 28 Nov 2015
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