Mizzou Opens 2026-27 Season With Blowout Against Cleveland State

Sometimes you open a book or watch a movie, and within the first five pages or minutes, you can tell where it’s going. That was exactly what happened in Missouri men’s basketball’s season opener against Cleveland State.

The Tigers rolled past the Vikings 111-50 behind big performances from their 5-star freshmen. It was their highest point total since hanging 112 on Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2024.

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Jason Crowe Jr. and Toni Bryant combined for 38 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Both lived up to expectations in their debuts, but it was the big out of Tampa who caught eyes early on across Mizzou Arena.

Mizzou Forward Toni Bryant (14) races Cleveland St. Guard Ogbe Uagboe (11) on Saturday Nov. 3 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia MO. | Margo Jenkins

Bryant’s role became clear within the first few minutes of play: rim protection and knocking down corner threes, surprisingly. He had 11 points at half, making 3-of-4 corner triples and blocking three shots. His athleticism was off the charts against a Cleveland State team lacking in that department.

“Toni is a very special and efficient player. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands to sort of get in every category of the stat sheet. I think when you look at him making shots, that’s half the battle, but what he’s more proud of is his defensive effort, his ability to alter shots, not just block shots,” Head coach Dennis Gates said. “He’s very versatile.”

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It may not have been the 23-0 run to start the game that the Tigers had last season against the Vikings, but they jumped to a 15-0 advantage in the first four minutes behind stellar play from the rookies.

If Bryant brought the power, Crowe brought finesse. His first bucket as a Tiger was a confident step-back three. He ended the night shooting 4-for-7 from distance. And don’t let Crowe’s 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame fool you, he can hold his own in the paint. He drew a foul through two Vikings’ forwards in the first half and converted the and-one opportunity.

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mizzou-opens-2026-27-season-030034035.html

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Publish date : 2026-11-04 03:00:00

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