NCAA Basketball: Top 10 takeaways from first week of 2022 offseason
4. Dennis Gates filling out both the roster and coaching staff
Of all the new coaching hires in the SEC, one that received mixed fanfare was Missouri picking Cleveland State head coach Dennis Gates. It didn’t have the same “juice” that Todd Golden (Florida), Matt McMahon (Murray State), and even Chris Jans (Mississippi State) had.
But so far, the Tigers have been making solid moves in the past couple of weeks. On the recruiting trail, the team landed transfer DeAndre Gholston and got a re-commitment from four-star wing Aiden Shaw. And they took visits from Bellarmine transfer Dylan Penn and Citadel wing Jason Roche this weekend, while also likely being in play for Cleveland State transfers, D’Moi Hodge and Tre Gomillion.
Reunited in Columbia - big things happening with Mizzou Basketball! pic.twitter.com/nDPmPPWGLh
— Greg Hulen (@greghulen) April 8, 2022
When it comes to the staff, a big first hire was made, adding Florida State assistant Charlton “C.Y.” Young to the group. He’s highly respected and a quality recruiter. Plus, Young and Gates were together at FSU before Coach Gates went to Cleveland State, so there’s a familiarity between them.
Missouri had a solid week but things could get even better in the next 7-10 days, depending on which commitments they can get from the portal. But so far, the roster the Tigers are building is taking shape and it looks like talent won’t be the issue next season. And if Coach Gates can have the same kind of early success that he did with the Vikings in the Horizon League, this program could have some surprises in store for the SEC.