Missouri takes the sixth seed in the West Region into Thursday night’s NCAA Tournament opener in Wichita against 11th seeded Drake. Dennis Gates has led the Tigers back to the big dance a year after that finished 0-18 in the SEC.
Drake wants to control the pace while the Tigers want to make it a high scoring affair.
Gates says contrasting styles are an interesting part of tournament play. The Tigers are averaging 84 and-a-half-points per game while the Bulldogs yield less than 59 per contest.
Gates on trying to slow down Drake point guard Bennett Stirtz, who averages more than 19 points and six assists per game.
It will be a homecoming for Mizzou guard Caleb Grill who is a native of Wichita.
Tiger senior guard Tamar (tuh-mar) Bates says pushing the tempo begins on the defensive end.
Bates hopes the Tiger depth is an advantage in the game.
Junior forward Mark Mitchell was asked about Missouri’s size advantage.
Missouri is 22-11. Drake is 30-3.
