Mizzou returns two of the SEC’s best players, but is replacing lots of offense. Where do they fit in the national picture?
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If you examine the WTE polls for the 2025-2026 season, you’ll find there’s a lot of indecision surrounding Dennis Gates and the Missouri Tigers.
Without getting too in the weeds, here’s a TL;DR explanation: Almost everyone respects the program Dennis Gates is building, and recognizes that Mizzou returns two of the SEC’s best players in Anthony Robinson II and Mark Mitchell. However, many analysts are worried about the amount of offense they’re losing in Caleb Grill and Tamar Bates, worried enough that they’re not comfortable slating them as a Top 25 team.
That’s fair analysis, to be sure. Grill and Bates not only represent a significant chunk of points, they were also Missouri’s best shooters and dependable defenders for a Tiger team built on chaos in the defensive half. Getting Jacob Crews back should help with the former, but who will solve for the latter?
Those are the staff’s problems, though, not ours. Our only problem this week? Voicing where we think the national media should put Mizzou ahead of the 2025-2026 season. Let us know where you think the Tigers fall in the national order.