Missouri's basketball program, under coach Dennis Gates, has experienced a significant revival by strengthening recruitment efforts and stabilizing its roster, setting the stage for sustained success.

Gates's charisma and ability to connect with top high school prospects have been vital, supported by staff additions like Tim Fuller, who brings strong grassroots and recruitment ties.

The team’s recruitment strategy includes investing financially in high school talent and retaining key players, betting on Gates's development skills to maintain a competitive edge.

After a challenging winless SEC season in 2023, Missouri rebounded impressively by making the 2025 NCAA Tournament and securing top recruits such as Toni Bryant and Jason Crowe Jr., part of a highly ranked 2026 class.

Gates has also focused on retaining veteran players over multiple seasons, reducing reliance on transfer portal activity and creating a veteran core that contributes to team stability.

This combination of strong recruiting, player retention, and strategic staffing indicates Missouri is on a promising trajectory, reversing previous doubts about the program’s future.