Missouri forward Mark Mitchell drives to the basket as Southeast Missouri State forward Brendan Terry defends in the first half Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Friday night’s Missouri men’s basketball home opener fell somewhere between the unflinchingly positive vibe of head coach Dennis Gates’ initial postgame assessment and the sky-is-falling feeling that crept into Mizzou Arena at various times throughout the game.
Southeast Missouri State guard Braxton Stacker steps back from Missouri forward Mark Mitchell in the second half during a game between Southeast Missouri State and Missouri at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo., on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.
Missouri guard T.O. Barrett drives to the basket past Southeast Missouri State guard Luke Almodovar in the first half Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.
Missouri men's basketball coach Dennis Gates speaks with the media on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, at the SEC Basketball Tipoff in Birmingham, Alabama. (Video courtesy Southeastern Conference)
“Obviously, we’ve got to do a better job with some of our signaling and communication,†Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said.
Missouri forward Mark Mitchell drives to the basket as Southeast Missouri State forward Brendan Terry defends in the first half Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.
Missouri guard T.O. Barrett drives to the basket past Southeast Missouri State guard Luke Almodovar in the first half Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.
Southeast Missouri State guard Braxton Stacker steps back from Missouri forward Mark Mitchell in the second half during a game between Southeast Missouri State and Missouri at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo., on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.
