Missouri Tigers men's basketball

NCAA Division I men's basketball team representing the University of Missouri From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.[2] The Missouri men's basketball program was a charter member of the Big 12 Conference, formed from the Big Eight Conference in 1996.[3] Entering the 2023–24 season the Tigers had an all-time record of 1,691–1,245 and a winning percentage of .576.

UniversityUniversity of Missouri
First season1906–07; 120 years ago
Athletic directorLaird Veatch
Head coachDennis Gates
4th season, 75–58 (.564)
Quick facts University, First season ...
Missouri Tigers men's basketball
2025–26 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team
UniversityUniversity of Missouri
First season1906–07; 120 years ago
Athletic directorLaird Veatch
Head coachDennis Gates
4th season, 75–58 (.564)
LocationColumbia, Missouri
ArenaMizzou Arena
(capacity: 15,061)
NCAA divisionDivision I
ConferenceSEC
NicknameTigers
ColorsBlack and gold[1]
   
All-time record1,758–1,271 (.580)
NCAA tournament record23–30 (.434)
NCAA Division I tournament Elite Eight
1944, 1976, 1994*, 2002, 2009
Other NCAA Division I tournament results
Sweet Sixteen1976, 1980, 1982, 1989, 1994*, 2002, 2009
Appearances1944, 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, 2026
Pre-tournament Premo–Porretta national champions
1921, 1922
Conference tournament champions
Big Eight: 1978, 1982, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993
Big 12: 2009, 2012
Conference regular-season champions
MVC: 1918, 1920, 1921, 1922
Big Eight: 1930, 1939, 1940, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1990, 1994
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away
Alternate jersey
Team colours
Alternate
* vacated by NCAA
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History

See also: List of Missouri Tigers men's basketball seasons

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) or been officially recognized by the NCAA as a national champion, the program does claim two retrospective national championships selected by the Premo-Porretta Power Poll. The 1920–21 and 1921–22 teams, which won conference titles, were retroactively designated as the top teams in the nation by the Premo-Porretta Power Poll, an unofficial mathematical rating system used to rank the strongest college basketball teams from the pre-tournament era.

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)

More information Missouri vs., Overall Record ...
Missouri
vs.		Overall Recordat Columbiaat Opponent's
Venue		at Neutral SiteLast 5 MeetingsLast 10 MeetingsCurrent StreakDuring Time
in Big 12
BaylorMU, 16–10MU, 10–2BU, 6–4Tied, 2–2MU, 4–1MU, 7–3W 4MU, 13–6
Iowa StateMU, 151–86MU, 87–21ISU, 60–48MU, 16–5MU, 3-2MU, 8–2W 1MU, 20–14
KansasKU, 175–95KU, 66–57KU, 90–31KU, 19–7KU, 4–1KU, 8–2L 3KU, 25–10
Kansas StateKSU, 121–116MU, 64–42KSU, 62–44KSU, 17–8KSU, 5–0KSU, 7–3L 5MU, 18–15
OklahomaOU, 115–97MU, 62–31OU, 66–21OU, 18–14OU, 3–2tied, 5–5L 3OU, 13–11
Oklahoma StateMU, 77–42MU, 45–7OSU, 29–21MU, 10–6MU, 3–2MU, 6-4L 1MU, 11–9
TexasMU, 14–12MU, 7–4UT, 6–4MU, 3–2MU, 4–1MU, 6–4W 3UT, 11–9
Texas A&MTAMU, 24-20TAMU, 10-8TAMU, 13-7MU, 5–1TAMU, 3–2TAMU, 6-4L 1Tied, 10–10
Texas TechMU, 15–8MU, 8–2TTU, 6–3MU, 4–0MU, 5–0MU, 8–2W 7MU, 13–7
*As of March 12, 2023
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Record vs. other opponents (at least 15 games played)

More information Missouri vs., Overall Record ...
Missouri
vs.		Overall Recordat Columbiaat Opponent's
Venue		at Neutral SiteLast 5 MeetingsLast 10 MeetingsCurrent Streak
ColoradoMU, 99–53MU, 57–11CU, 34–30MU, 12–8MU, 4–1MU, 9–1W 1
CreightonMU, 9–7MU, 3–2Tied, 4–4MU, 2–1MU, 3–2CU, 6–4L 1
DrakeMU, 27–7MU, 17–3MU, 10–4Tied, 0–0MU, 4–1MU, 8–2W 4
IllinoisUI, 33–20Tied, 3–3UI, 4–1UI, 26–16MU, 3-2UI, 6–4W 1
IndianaTied, 9–9MU, 5–3IU, 6–3MU, 1–0MU, 4–1Tied, 5–5W 3
IowaUI, 10–7MU, 4–2UI, 7–2Tied, 1–1MU, 3–2Tied, 5–5W 2
NebraskaMU, 126–93MU, 70–25NU, 56–42MU, 14–12MU, 3–2Tied, 5–5L 1
Saint LouisMU, 21–19SLU, 12–10MU, 11–6SLU, 1–0[4]MU, 3–2Tied, 5–5W 2
Washington U. of StLMU, 71–29MU, 42–8MU, 29–21Tied, 0–0MU, 5–0MU, 8–2W 7
*As of March 18, 2023
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Record vs. SEC opponents

More information Missouri vs., Overall Record ...
Missouri
vs.		Overall Recordat Columbiaat Opponent's
Venue		at Neutral SiteLast 5 MeetingsLast 10 MeetingsCurrent StreakSince Joining SEC
AlabamaUA, 14–7MU, 5-4UA, 7–1UA, 3–1UA, 3-2UA, 6–4L 3UA, 10–6
ArkansasUA, 33-27MU, 17–12UA, 19–10UA, 2–0UA, 4-1UA, 6-4W 1UA, 14–9
AuburnAU, 9-6MU, 4-3AU, 5–1Tie, 1–1AU, 4–1AU, 8-2L 3AU, 9–6
FloridaUF, 9-4Tied, 3-3UF, 5–1UF, 1–0UF, 3-2UF, 7-3L 2UF, 9–4
GeorgiaMU, 11-8MU, 5–2UGA, 5–3MU, 3–1MU, 4-1MU, 7-3W 3Tied, 8–8
KentuckyUK, 13–3UK, 4–3UK, 7–0UK, 2–0UK, 3-2UK, 7-3W 1UK, 10–3
LSULSU, 11–4Tied, 3–3LSU, 6–1LSU, 2–0LSU, 3-2LSU, 8-2W 2LSU, 10–4
Mississippi StateMSU, 13-6MU, 5–4MSU, 9–1Tied, 0–0MSU, 4-1MSU, 8-2W 1MSU, 12–4
Ole MissUM, 15–8UM, 6–4UM, 7-3UM, 2–1MU, 5-0MU, 6-4W 5UM, 15–8
South CarolinaMU, 9-7MU, 6–1SC, 5-3SC, 1–0MU, 3–2MU, 6-4W 1MU, 9–7
TennesseeUT, 11–10Tied, 5–5UT, 5–4Tied, 1–1MU, 3-2UT, 6-4W 2UT, 9–6
Texas A&MTAMU, 24–20TAMU, 10-8TAMU, 13–7MU, 5–1TAMU, 3–2TAMU, 6-4L 2TAMU, 14–7
VanderbiltMU, 9-7MU, 7–0VU, 6-2VU, 1–0MU, 4-1MU, 6–4W 1MU, 7–4
*As of March 12, 2023
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Postseason

NCAA tournament results

The Tigers have appeared in the NCAA tournament 31 times. Their combined record is 23–30. However, their appearance in 1994 has been vacated by the NCAA, making their official record 20–29.[5]

More information Year, Seed ...
Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1944Elite Eight
Regional 3rd Place Game		Utah
Pepperdine		L 35–45
W 61–46
1976Round of 32
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		Washington
Texas Tech
Michigan		W 69–67
W 86–75
L 88–95
1978Round of 32UtahL 79–86 2OT
1980#5Round of 48
Round of 32
Sweet Sixteen		#12 San Jose State
#4 Notre Dame
#1 LSU		W 61–51
W 87–84 OT
L 63–68
1981#9Round of 48#8 LamarL 67–71
1982#2Round of 32
Sweet Sixteen		#7 Marquette
#6 Houston		W 73–69
L 78–79
1983#2Round of 32#7 IowaL 63–77
1986#11Round of 64#6 UABL 64–66
1987#4Round of 64#13 XavierL 69–70
1988#6Round of 64#11 Rhode IslandL 80–87
1989#3Round of 64
Round of 32
Sweet Sixteen		#14 Creighton
#11 Texas
#2 Syracuse		W 85–69
W 108–89
L 80–83
1990#3Round of 64#14 Northern IowaL 71–74
1992#5Round of 64
Round of 32		#12 West Virginia
#4 Seton Hall		W 89–78
L 71–88
1993#10Round of 64#7 TempleL 61–75
1994*#1Round of 64
Round of 32
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		#16 Navy
#9 Wisconsin
#4 Syracuse
#2 Arizona		W 76–53
W 109–96
W 98–88 OT
L 72–92
1995#8Round of 64
Round of 32		#9 Indiana
#1 UCLA		W 65–60
L 74–75
1999#8Round of 64#9 New MexicoL 59–61
2000#9First Round#8 North CarolinaL 84–70
2001#9First Round
Second Round		#8 Georgia
#1 Duke		W 70–68
L 81–94
2002#12First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		#5 Miami (FL)
#4 Ohio State
#8 UCLA
#2 Oklahoma		W 93–80
W 83–67
W 82–73
L 75–81
2003#6First Round
Second Round		#11 Southern Illinois
#3 Marquette		W 72–71
L 92–101 OT
2009#3First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		#14 Cornell
#6 Marquette
#2 Memphis
#1 Connecticut		W 78–59
W 83–79
W 102–91
L 75–82
2010#10First Round
Second Round		#7 Clemson
#2 West Virginia		W 86–78
L 59–68
2011#11First Round#6 CincinnatiL 63–78
2012#2First Round#15 Norfolk StateL 84–86
2013#9First Round#8 Colorado StateL 72–84
2018#8First Round#9 Florida StateL 54–67
2021#9First Round#8 OklahomaL 68–72
2023#7First Round
Second Round		#10 Utah State
#15 Princeton		W 76–65
L 63–78
2025#6First Round#11 DrakeL 57–67
2026#10First Round#7 Miami (FL)L 66–80
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* Vacated by the NCAA

NCAA Tournament seeding history

The NCAA began seeding the tournament with the 1979 edition.

More information Years →, '80 ...
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 '26
Seeds→5922114633510188991263101129897610
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NIT results

The Tigers have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) eight times. Their combined record is 2–8.

More information Year, Round ...
Year Round Opponent Result
1972First RoundSt. John'sL 81–82
1973First RoundMassachusettsL 71–78
1985First RoundSaint Joseph'sL 67–68
1996First Round
Second Round		Murray State
Alabama		W 89–85
L 49–72
1998First RoundUABL 86–93
2004First RoundMichiganL 64–65
2005First RoundDePaulL 70–75
2014First Round
Second Round		Davidson
Southern Miss		W 85–77
L 63–71
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NCIT results

The Tigers appeared in one of the only two ever National Commissioners Invitational Tournaments. Their record is 0–1.

More information Year, Round ...
Year Round Opponent Result
1975QuarterfinalsPurdueL 74–87
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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.[6][7]

Bill Stauffer (left) and John Brown, whose numbers were retired by Missouri
More information No., Player ...
Missouri Tigers retired numbers
No. Player Tenure No. ret. Ref.
3Derrick Chievous1984–19882019[6]
20Jon Sundvold1979–1983[8]
22Norm Stewart1953–19562001[9]
30Willie Smith1974–1976[10]
34Doug Smith1987–1991[11]
40Steve Stipanovich1979–1983[12][13]
43Bill Stauffer1949–1952[13]
50John Brown1970–19732019[6]
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Tigers in the NBA

Current

Former

Tigers in the NBA G-League

Former

Tigers in European leagues

Current

Former

Tigers in other leagues

Current

Missouri Tigers All-Americans

Participations in FIBA competitions

References

External links

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