Dennis Gates points out errors made during the defeat to South Carolina.
Missouri Tigers head men’s basketball coach Dennis Gates analyzed the critical errors his team made in Saturday’s defeat against South Carolina.
Dennis Gates refrains from making excuses and acknowledges the urgency to reverse the course of the 2023-’24 season for the Missouri Tigers. Since Thanksgiving of 2023, Gates’ team has posted a 3-11 record. While there have been bright moments in most of those 11 losses, Missouri has yet to deliver a complete, 40-minute performance.
In the Tigers’ recent 74-62 loss to South Carolina, they managed to level the score at 46 with 13:49 remaining but relinquished control by fouling, allowing the Gamecocks two free throws. Later, Noah Carter narrowed the gap to five points with seven minutes left, only for Missouri to grant South Carolina another trip to the free-throw line on the ensuing possession.
“We cannot afford to make those mistakes again without our players earning what we’re giving them,” Gates emphasized. “We handed them points from the free-throw line with those two situations, those two fouls.”
Throughout most of Missouri’s SEC games this season, they typically mount an impressive rally in the middle minutes to recover from a first-half deficit. Saturday was no exception, as the Tigers embarked on an 11-0 run early in the second half to make a comeback. Improved defensive discipline enabled the Missouri offense to control the game’s tempo.
“I believe our players came out, positioned themselves physically, and maintained the necessary rotations to make the defensive stops,” Gates remarked.
During this stretch, veterans Sean East and Nick Honor led the charge, combining for seven of the unanswered points. Honor’s three-pointer three minutes into the half marked only Missouri’s second successful shot from beyond the arc.
“I commend Sean East and Nick Honor for managing the game opportunistically,” Gates commented. “They capitalized on what South Carolina presented without attempting to force plays they desired and simply took advantage of what was offered.”
However, the Gamecocks adjusted by enhancing their defensive efforts in the paint and making crucial three-pointers, netting 10 overall, with four in the second half.
“I give credit to South Carolina for adapting to our momentum,” Gates acknowledged. “The crowd energized after our rally, and like a true home court advantage, the atmosphere influenced the outcome.”
Missouri will regroup in Columbia this week to face Arkansas (10-10) at Mizzou Arena on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
