Dennis Gates should be fired

My only hope is that Veatch didn’t hire Dennis Gates. It would be easier for Veatch to get his own guy for basketball. There’s a really good one coaching in STL. However, I wouldn’t waste money to buy out Gates. Just write off the years until Gates’ contract expires, then fire his ass as soon as possible.

The lack of ability to find a way to rebound is so hard to understand Been going on for years with him with no change We were huge upfront and it does nothing for us

Rebounding was the number one reason for the loss. My perception…and watching again which I wouldn’t do…might prove me wrong…was that the rebounds were long rebounds. Not sure size comes into play if that is the case. Personally…I think size is so overrated in rebounding. It is important…but other things or more important.

MelWest said:

Rebounding was the number one reason for the loss. My perception…and watching again which I wouldn’t do…might prove me wrong…was that the rebounds were long rebounds. Not sure size comes into play if that is the case. Personally…I think size is so overrated in rebounding. It is important…but other things or more important.

charles barkley and dennis rodman would agreee…great rebounders..one 6-4 the other 6-8

doya said:

charles barkley and dennis rodman would agreee…great rebounders..one 6-4 the other 6-8

I’ll take a few guys who are 6’ 6” with a sturdy build and agility over a couple 7 footers who are fragile and plodders. While I’m at it, also give me a HC who actually values the importance of rebounding.

As far as Gates goes, I like the man and his leadership/recruiting... But unfortunately at this point of his career it is a situation of Gates is playing checkers and the majority of the other coaches are playing chess, when it comes to the in game coaching X's and O's........

Gates must go

MelWest said:

Rebounding was the number one reason for the loss. My perception…and watching again which I wouldn’t do…might prove me wrong…was that the rebounds were long rebounds. Not sure size comes into play if that is the case. Personally…I think size is so overrated in rebounding. It is important…but other things or more important.

No you are right! Think offensive rebounds was like 14-4! Second chase points always kills the tigers. And Miami took advantage of that. Hitting big 3’s to push lead back to 5 area a kid of the time. You probably know Like most basketball fans. Rebounds are effort plays and guess they didn’t want it as much as Miami did. But this has been a yearly thing. Plus bad turnover and bad shot selection. Why happened to cruse? Thought he was supposed to be this great shooter. Maybe that was just in practice and far weaker opponents. Why happens to Jevon porter?! He really was a disappointment! Northweather is way too slow to play at this level. The transfer portal should be interesting. Going to have to find some scoring and rebounding! I will say Phillips was better than gray but not by a huge margin. Hoping and praying for a good offseason!!

Redbird6162 said:

As far as Gates goes, I like the man and his leadership/recruiting... But unfortunately at this point of his career it is a situation of Gates is playing checkers and the majority of the other coaches are playing chess, when it comes to the in game coaching X's and O's........

Well said! The SEC has some really good HC’s. Mizzou goes into every game at a coaching disadvantage. Simply can’t win with that being the situation.

Buschswim1 said:

The lack of ability to find a way to rebound is so hard to understand Been going on for years with him with no change We were huge upfront and it does nothing for us

Gates has gambled that perimeter pressure and doubles net a positive result as his "analytics" tell him. What we have seen routinely over the last couple seasons is that pressure takes off ball defenders out of position. Players have to rotate hard to compensate and we are completely out of position to block out. Yes rebounding is a trained instinct and effort but we are rotating so hard that we are never in goal side position and the effort to get goal side takes away the read and anticipation of the bounce of the missed shot. Every shot we have 3-4 players who track the ball late. He has gambled via his strategy and keeps losing the gamble. It's bad coaching strategy with this group of players.

CCTigersFan said:

Gates must go

Get a new life

Redbird6162 said:

As far as Gates goes, I like the man and his leadership/recruiting... But unfortunately at this point of his career it is a situation of Gates is playing checkers and the majority of the other coaches are playing chess, when it comes to the in game coaching X's and O's........

You're probably right but I honestly don't know what philosophy even the greatest tacticians could come up with for this group of players. Last years team really complement each other well with the exception of the 5 spot. The guys this year just don't complement well. We clearly wanted to spread and let Mark create but teams sniffed that out early. We didn't have the consistent shooting to draw defenses out and open things up for Mark. We never had complementing ball handling on the floor. Ant started well and fell apart after the ND game. TO was terrible early and when he was balling Ant was a no show. Phillips was inconsistent. This was a failed team from the beginning and I am not sure what you could run to consistently put up points. Too many coaches look like idiots due to poor roster construction. You simply cannot develop talent anymore, a coach must have an eye for what he wants/needs and how it all fits together or it's a lost season from the get

Size in rebounding matters, but attitude is just as important. If rebounding is taught as not losing ball control, players will not allow opposing players rebound “ my basketball “.

Backlots1 said:

Get a new life

Good morning Dennis

CCTigersFan said:

Good morning Dennis

Punk

CJsLover said:

Gates has gambled that perimeter pressure and doubles net a positive result as his "analytics" tell him. What we have seen routinely over the last couple seasons is that pressure takes off ball defenders out of position. Players have to rotate hard to compensate and we are completely out of position to block out. Yes rebounding is a trained instinct and effort but we are rotating so hard that we are never in goal side position and the effort to get goal side takes away the read and anticipation of the bounce of the missed shot. Every shot we have 3-4 players who track the ball late. He has gambled via his strategy and keeps losing the gamble. It's bad coaching strategy with this group of players.

Great analysis!

Backlots1 said:

Get a new life

Get a new HC

Redbird6162 said:

As far as Gates goes, I like the man and his leadership/recruiting... But unfortunately at this point of his career it is a situation of Gates is playing checkers and the majority of the other coaches are playing chess, when it comes to the in game coaching X's and O's........

Agreed. He has proven who he is as a coach. We’ve seen our share of bad coaches and flashes in the pan. He can bring in top classes and then underperform with those recruits. It’s crazy how bad he’s been coaching these “top level” players.

BigBadMadMan said:

Agreed. He has proven who he is as a coach. We’ve seen our share of bad coaches and flashes in the pan. He can bring in top classes and then underperform with those recruits. It’s crazy how bad he’s been coaching these “top level” players.

What top class has he brought in? This year's that is coming in and hasn't played yet is ranked 7th now I think? Needs to do better in the portal, but until we have a clue what the payroll is compared to everyone else its hard to judge. Based on what I know (little bit of information from a few top donors, but not direct numbers), I don't think we are remotely near the top 1/3 of the SEC in hoops roster funding. If Revenue Share coupled with legit NIL sticks and/or is reality, then we will be under similar footing as everyone else, but I don't think we remotely are at this point. The coaching was just way better this year than most want to give credit for given we had 1 player on the second team all SEC team and still finished top half of the leage. Just an opinion.

Redbird6162 said:

As far as Gates goes, I like the man and his leadership/recruiting... But unfortunately at this point of his career it is a situation of Gates is playing checkers and the majority of the other coaches are playing chess, when it comes to the in game coaching X's and O's........

You like his recruiting? I would say that is his weakness. I think he does a good job with the talent he has. Compares to the talent at Miami? At the end of the game…Miami had two players who could just go get buckets at the end of the game. Missouri has one…and he is limited to having to get to the rim. Miami could put 5 in the paint to stop that. Gates needs to recruit some shot makers.

doya said:

charles barkley and dennis rodman would agreee…great rebounders..one 6-4 the other 6-8

Charles Barkley on what you need to do to be a great rebounder….”go Get the damn ball”

Rmags said:

No you are right! Think offensive rebounds was like 14-4! Second chase points always kills the tigers. And Miami took advantage of that. Hitting big 3’s to push lead back to 5 area a kid of the time. You probably know Like most basketball fans. Rebounds are effort plays and guess they didn’t want it as much as Miami did. But this has been a yearly thing. Plus bad turnover and bad shot selection. Why happened to cruse? Thought he was supposed to be this great shooter. Maybe that was just in practice and far weaker opponents. Why happens to Jevon porter?! He really was a disappointment! Northweather is way too slow to play at this level. The transfer portal should be interesting. Going to have to find some scoring and rebounding! I will say Phillips was better than gray but not by a huge margin. Hoping and praying for a good offseason!!

I am in agreement with you…it is not Gates’ coaching in practice or games that is the issue….he is getting the max out of the talent he recruits. And Crews? He didn’t make a Shot in 2026….Pierce and Stone..:the other best shooters are just average shooters. Basketball today is a shooters game. …and this team did not have shooters. I am not sure how they made the tournament. Gates did a great job of coaching…just not recruiting.

BigBadMadMan said:

Agreed. He has proven who he is as a coach. We’ve seen our share of bad coaches and flashes in the pan. He can bring in top classes and then underperform with those recruits. It’s crazy how bad he’s been coaching these “top level” players.

Other than Mitchell…and he is limited offensively…there are no top level players. Watch other teams shoot the ball. We have none of those. Only Mitchell could have started Miami…and he is simple to stop if you want to sell out and do it. That is what Miami did…and there wasn’t anyone else able to take advantage. Tigers had lots of open shots…but can’t shoot. Little room for error.

MelWest said:

You like his recruiting? I would say that is his weakness. I think he does a good job with the talent he has. Compares to the talent at Miami? At the end of the game…Miami had two players who could just go get buckets at the end of the game. Missouri has one…and he is limited to having to get to the rim. Miami could put 5 in the paint to stop that. Gates needs to recruit some shot makers.

I have been ok with his recruiting, I think some of the pieces are very solid. But I think the style of players is part of the issue, Guards are what win in Feb and March and that is our biggest issue recruiting wise... Barrett is a work in progress, Miami allowed him to shoot it.. The rest of our guards are very average shooters... As far as bigs go, I wish so badly that we had a true big not just athletic bigs who get pushed around and physically struggle........ We just didn't have that front court killer that could go get a shot when they wanted.... Miami played us perfectly, basically build a wall defense and make us shoot, which we are not actually great at.... This next recruiting class is make or break it for Gates and hopefully the Freshman are immediate upgrades..... Gates is almost to loyal to his players, the mindset is develop players, but has to always look to get a better player. ...