'Unbelievable!' Missouri Tigers Coach Dennis Gates Praises Pittsburgh Ahead of Road Test
COLUMBIA, Mo. — There has never been an opponent of a Dennis Gates-led basketball team that wasn't "unbelievable."
Whether it's the Missouri Tigers' first game of the season against a non-Power-Five opponent, their first true road test or any squad in the high-powered SEC, they'll get equal amount of praise from the second-year head coach, who tends to focus on what makes every basketball team click.
Pittsburgh is no exception. Facing the Panthers in the inaugural ACC-SEC challenge might not be the first time of the season that the Tigers hit the road to a truly hostile environment nor find themselves against a Power Five opponent, but it doesn't matter.
They got the same praise from Gates.
"Pittsburgh is an unbelievable opponent," the Tigers' coach said during his weekly press conference. "It's an unbelievable opportunity [to face] one of college basketball's All-time winningest programs. It's a tremendous environment [with] great basketball."
So far this season, the Panthers boast a 5-1 record — only having lost to Florida — and a top-20 scoring offense in the NCAA. Pittsburgh has averaged more points than the Tigers have and allowed less at the same time, putting the Tigers in a prime position to face a team that's better than them — at least on paper.
And to make matters worse, the Tigers won't have the comfort of their home crowd, which has certainly played a large role in their early success.
"Ultimately, you look at the scoring ability of Pittsburgh," Gates explained. "Pittsburgh has put up 100 points twice this season, but [it's] also about their ability to hold their opponents to the percentages that they have from the 3-point line. We've got to be able to knock down our shots on the road and ... not wait until that second half."
In its last road game, Missouri was able to outlast Minnesota to take the game by a two-point margin. It shot better than the Golden Gophers — though not by an impressive amount — but was out-rebounded, which allowed the game to remain close all the way through.
If it wants this game to go the same way or better, it'll have to hyper-focus on those aspects of the game that became more difficult in a non-familiar environment.
Gates knows that, too.
"Obviously, the environment will pose a threat," he said. "So, we're going to go out there focused on being able to catch and shoot. We've just got to focus and execute.
"We're looking to play 40 minutes of basketball to the best of our ability."
Doing so will involve not just the Tigers' stat leaders, but also the role players and the part of the roster that won't get the glitz-and-glam of being a starter. Players like Anthony Robinson II, Aidan Shaw, John Tonje and Tamar Bates will be pivotal in making that happen, but it also doesn't mean they'll be the only weapons for Missouri to Utilize.
Connor Vanover, Sean East II, Noah Carter and the rest of the Tigers' starters will be equally as important, and if both groups can execute, Missouri will have the mark of a top-tier basketball team. Gates is seeing that from his squad just a few games into the season, but it's still got room to grow.
Tuesday night will be a prime opportunity for the Tigers to flex that growth.
"Guys know their roles," Gates said. "As you continue to play games, and just from [our] conversations, it seems that guys are starting to ... settle into their roles. The other thing that you look at, [though], is the big picture of a season. Different things come and go. We've just got to be prepared [for] when our numbers are called."
Five numbers will be called to start and the rest to play backup when the Tigers take on the Panthers on the road Tuesday night. And if all goes well, they'll get to return home with a second straight road win. But they have to get there first.
Tipoff from Petersen Events Center is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CST.
