Missouri Tigers men's basketball eyes national championship

The Missouri Tigers men's basketball team enters the 2026-27 season with high expectations following the assembly of a top-ranked recruiting class. Head coach Dennis Gates stated his goal is to win a national championship, emphasizing the need for players to prioritize team success over individual goals.

The roster features several highly touted prospects, including McDonald's All-Americans Jason Crowe Jr. and Toni Bryant, as well as four-star recruit Aidan Chronister. The team also benefits from transfers Jamier Jones and Bryson Tiller, alongside returning veterans such as captain Trent Pierce and All-SEC performer Mark Mitchell.

Despite the talent influx, Missouri remains unranked in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll. The Tigers face a challenging nonconference schedule that includes matchups against No. 3 Illinois and No. 17 Kansas, followed by a conference slate featuring seven ranked SEC opponents.