Mizzou is kicking off its basketball season tonight at Mizzou Arena, but they are already taking a hit before the opening tip. Freshman Aidan Chronister, a key part of their incoming class, suffered an injury to his non-shooting hand yesterday in practice and is officially out for the foreseeable future. He is set for reevaluation in four weeks. Talk about a brutal blow right out of the gate for a team with high hopes.
New Faces and Big Expectations for Mizzou, Despite the Early Injury
Despite the tough news on Chronister, the Tigers are still expected to dominate their season opener. KenPom projects Mizzou to win by 26 points, and ESPN gives them a staggering 97.1% win probability. That’s a lot of confidence! Coach Dennis Gates is rolling out a stacked starting five, featuring two highly-touted freshmen and some big-time transfers. Jason Crowe Jr., the No. 7 recruit nationally, starts at guard, alongside Providence transfer Jamier Jones, who put up 11.9 points per game last season. Another top freshman, Toni Bryant, ranked No. 21 nationally, joins the frontcourt. Mark Mitchell, a five-year player who averaged 18.3 PPG in 2025-26, and Kansas transfer Bryson Tiller, who scored 7.9 PPG last year, round out a powerful lineup. And don’t sleep on senior Trent Pierce, coming off the bench as a notable sixth man after dropping 10.4 PPG last season. This Mizzou squad is loaded with talent, even with Chronister sidelined.
Cleveland State Rolls In With a Brand New Roster and Low Expectations
On the other side of the court, Cleveland State is facing an entirely different kind of challenge. This isn’t the same program that Mizzou coach Dennis Gates once helped make a Horizon League force. After Gates left for Columbia, Daniyal Robinson took over and extended the Vikings’ postseason streak to five straight years before heading to North Texas. Now, it’s Rob Summers, a former assistant under Gates, back at the helm. His return hasn’t been smooth sailing so far. Last season, Cleveland State went a dismal 11-22 overall, with a 6-14 record in Horizon League play, missing the postseason for the first time since Gates’ initial year with the team.
The Vikings are getting a complete roster reset this year, with every single player from last season gone. They are bringing in a mix of D-I transfers and freshmen. Transfers like Derek Vorst, who started 13 games at Indiana State last season, and Obie Bronston Jr., a double-digit scorer from South Carolina State, are their most notable additions. But the rest of the Horizon League isn’t buying it. Cleveland State was picked 11th out of 12 in the preseason poll and didn’t have a single player named to a preseason all-conference team. They are clearly facing an uphill battle against a Mizzou team that’s ready to prove something.
So, tonight at 7:00 p.m. CT on SEC Network+, the Tigers hit the court against a Cleveland State squad that’s basically a complete mystery. Mizzou needs to put on a show and establish their identity fast, especially with Chronister out. Get ready for some fresh talent and a whole lot of action.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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