New-look Missouri opens season against Memphis

Missouri coach Dennis Gates has retooled his roster after last season's 8-24 finish, which included an 0-18 mark in Southeastern Conference play.

Gates will test the team's new look when Missouri opens at Memphis on Monday night.

Transfers Mark Mitchell (11.6 points, 6.0 rebounds per game at Duke), Tony Perkins (14 points, 4.6 assists per game at Iowa) and Josh Gray (South Carolina) will play key roles for Missouri.

The 7-foot, 260-pound Gray provides the strength and experience the Tigers lacked inside last season, while Perkins adds stability at point guard.

Wing player Tamar Bates (13.5 points per game) is the top returning scorer, while guard Caleb Grill could have a big impact returning from a wrist injury. Grill, a sixth-year player, had 20 points and six rebounds in a 90-45 exhibition victory over Division II Lincoln University.

"This young man is someone that we missed last season, and you had a sense of that today," Gates said. "He does a tremendous job preparing, training."

Memphis was picked to finish second in the American Athletic Conference poll after finishing 22-10 last season (11-7 in the league). The Tigers prepared with exhibitions against North Carolina (84-76 loss at home) and No. 2 Alabama (96-88 loss in Huntsville).

Transfer guard PJ Haggerty was a preseason all-AAC pick after averaging 21.2 points at Tulsa last season. He had 56 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists in the exhibitions.

"I've seen it up close and personal when he played for Tulsa last year, so I know how dynamic he is," Memphis coach Penny Hardaway said. "I think as the moment gets bigger, he goes harder. He becomes the guy, and I think these guys understand that."

Memphis also will have a new look inside with transfers Dain Dainja (Illinois) and Moussa Cisse (Ole Miss) at center and Tyreek Smith (SMU) at forward. Transfer Tyrese Hunter (Texas) joins Haggerty in the backcourt.

--Field Level Media