Missouri Ready for SEC Rematches to Close Out Regular Season

Tigers face Mississippi State, Oklahoma, and Arkansas again in final stretch

Feb. 27, 2026 at 9:04pm

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The Missouri Tigers will play their final three regular season games against teams they've already faced earlier in the SEC schedule. Head coach Dennis Gates says his team is treating each rematch like a brand-new opponent, as the teams have likely improved since their first meetings. The Tigers have played like one of the top teams in the country over their past six games, getting boosts from players like T.O. Barrett, Trent Burns, and Anthony Robinson II. Missouri will first travel to face a surging Mississippi State squad led by standout guard Josh Hubbard on Saturday.

Why it matters

These rematches will provide a good test for Missouri as it looks to build momentum heading into the SEC Tournament. The Tigers are currently 19-9 overall and 9-6 in conference play, putting them in good position to make the NCAA Tournament. How they fare against these familiar foes could determine their seeding and path in the postseason.

The details

Missouri has already played every team in the SEC this season, so the final three games on its schedule will be rematches. The Tigers first face Mississippi State, who they defeated 84-79 on January 31st. The Bulldogs have improved their offensive efficiency and 3-point shooting since that first meeting. Other key players like Ja'Borri McGhee and Quincy Ballard have also stepped up for Mississippi State. Missouri, meanwhile, has played like a top-25 team over its last six games, getting contributions from players like T.O. Barrett, Trent Burns, and Anthony Robinson II.

  • Missouri will play Mississippi State on Saturday, February 28th at 12pm CT.
  • The Tigers will then face Oklahoma and Arkansas to close out the regular season.

The players

Dennis Gates

The head coach of the Missouri Tigers basketball team.

Josh Hubbard

The standout junior point guard for the Mississippi State Bulldogs, who has had several big games in recent weeks.

T.O. Barrett

A key contributor for the Missouri Tigers who has helped boost the team's production over the past six games.

Trent Burns

Another Missouri player who has stepped up his game to aid the Tigers' recent strong stretch of play.

Anthony Robinson II

The Missouri guard has made a gradual return to form on offense, averaging 9.3 points and shooting 50% from 3-point range over the last two weeks.

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What they’re saying

“Right now, your prep is pretty much consistent with what you've been doing. Whether it's the first time you're playing a team or second, they're not the same team that they were. None of them are at the time that you meet them.”

— Dennis Gates, Head Coach, Missouri Tigers

“You look at guys being stars in their roles and the consistency of it. You look at them being led by Hubbard and Jayden Epps. You also have Ja'Borri McGhee, right? McGhee has done a great job of scoring, a great job of picking up the slack throughout the year.”

— Dennis Gates, Head Coach, Missouri Tigers

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

These rematches will provide a good test for Missouri as it looks to build momentum heading into the SEC Tournament. How the Tigers fare against these familiar foes could determine their seeding and path in the postseason.