Men’s Basketball Team Kicks Off 2025-26 Season at Howard Monday Night

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Men’s Basketball Team Kicks Off 2025-26 Season at Howard Monday Night

The Mizzou men’s basketball team is set to formally begin its 2025-26 season with a game against Howard. The matchup is scheduled for Monday night in Washington, D.C., with tip-off at 6 p.m. CT. Fans can catch the game live on ESPN+.

About the Tigers

Missouri concluded the 2024-25 season with a 22-12 record.
They finished sixth in the SEC, which sent 14 teams to the NCAA Tournament.
The Tigers participated in the NCAA Tournament as a No. 6 seed, their highest since 2012.
Mizzou is the only SEC team bringing back three starters: Mark Mitchell, Trent Pierce, and Anthony Robinson II.
In total, Mizzou returns seven players from last year while adding five transfers and two freshmen.

Exhibition Recap

Mizzou held an unofficial season opener on October 24, defeating Kansas State in an exhibition game with a score of 100-91. Notable highlights include:

A decisive 14-0 run in the first half allowed the Tigers to take control.
The largest lead was 19 points during the game.
Four players scored in double figures: Anthony Robinson II (16), Jayden Stone (16), Annor Boateng (15), and Shawn Phillips Jr. (14).
Shawn Phillips achieved a double-double with 10 rebounds on his debut.

About the Bison

Howard finished the previous season with a 12-20 record, including a 7-7 mark in the MEAC.
They lost their top seven scorers from last season.
MEAC Preseason Player of the Year Bryce Harris, who scored 67 points last season, is the returning top scorer.
Under coach Kenny Blakeney, Howard has claimed two MEAC titles in the last three years.

Series History

This matchup marks just the second encounter between Mizzou and Howard. In their previous meeting:

Mizzou triumphed with a score of 77-62 at home last season.
They never trailed, at one point leading by as much as 17 points.
Tamar Bates led with 17 points, supported by Mark Mitchell and Anthony Robinson II with 16 and 13 points, respectively.

Mizzou vs. MEAC

Mizzou has a strong historical record against MEAC teams, boasting an 18-3 all-time record. This game will be the first true road game against a MEAC opponent for the Tigers, having played most of their previous matchups at home.

Mizzou in Season Openers

This season marks Mizzou’s 120th year of basketball.
They hold a 96-23 record in season openers, showcasing a winning percentage of 80.7%.
Last year, they began the season on the road but lost to Memphis.
Mizzou is 12-9 in road season openers.
The earliest season opener in school history occurs on November 3.

Returning Experience and Key Players

The Tigers come into the season with significant experience:

Mizzou’s trio of returning starters is vital for their gameplay this year.
Mark Mitchell, a key scorer and all-conference honoree, returns with 13.9 points per game from last season.
Mizzou averages 79.79 inches in height, towering over many teams in the SEC.

The team is poised and ready for the upcoming challenges in the 2025-26 campaign, bringing back a blend of talent and experience that fans can expect to see in action against Howard.