Men’s Basketball Hosts California in SEC-ACC Challenge

The first piece of the 2024-25 Missouri men’s basketball schedule was revealed on Wednesday as the Tigers are set to host California in the SEC-ACC Challenge.

Whitten Family Men’s Basketball Head Coach Dennis Gates is set to welcome his alma mater to Mizzou Arena when the Tigers host the Golden Bears on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

In a series that dates back to the 1941-42 season, Missouri has played Cal seven times in its history with a 5-2 record. The schools last met in November 2011 with the Tigers posting a 92-53 win at the CBE Invitational in Kansas City. The schools also met twice in the Big 12-Pac 10 Hardwood series with both teams winning on their home court in 2007 (Cal, 86-72) and 2008 (Mizzou, 93-66).

Overall, the Tigers own a 7-4 record in conference challenge matchups, including a 5-0 record at Mizzou Arena. Last season, the Tigers posted a 71-64 victory at Pitt in the inaugural SEC-ACC Challenge.

Gates began his collegiate career when he played at Cal from 1998 to 2002. A three-time captain who appeared in 114 career games with 34 starting assignments, Gates totaled 432 points, 140 rebounds, 148 assists and 100 steals. Awarded the 2002 Pac-10 Medal of Honor as Cal’s top graduating student-athlete, he helped the team earn bids to the NCAA Tournament in 2001 and 2002, including a second-round appearance as a senior.

The contest is the first announced game for Mizzou during the 2024-25 campaign. The Tigers are one of three schools in the nation to welcome a top-15 freshman and transfer class to campus next season, adding the No. 5 freshman class and the No. 12 transfer class.