On March 24th, after four seasons under head coach Dennis Gates, the University of Missouri basketball program has made clear strides since the 20-21-22 firing of Kwanzaa Martin. The Tigers have turned into reliable NCAA tournament participants, earning three bids in that span. Gates delivered back-to-back March Madness appearances for the first time since 2012-13. He also notched their initial tournament victory since 2010, right in his debut year, marking a strong rebound from earlier struggles.
That said, postseason results have fallen short of expectations. Upset defeats to lower seas like Princeton and Drake slipped away potential breakthroughs, while a first-round loss to Miami this season disappointed. Fans despite a nearby home crowd. Regular seasons shine with key wins over ranked opponents, building solid resumes.
Yet two straight years of late stretches have wiped out that buildup, leaving momentum on the table. Surveys now gauge fan views on Gates' overall grade, capturing a tenure that's progressed the program without fully breaking through just yet.