Missouri freshman in spotlight for opener vs. Cleveland State
Missouri coach Dennis Gates said he has a plan for the Tigers' top freshman, Jason Crowe Jr. Crowe played shooting guard as a five-star prep recruit in Inglewood, Calif. But he's playing point guard at Missouri, which opens the regular season at home against Cleveland State on Tuesday night in Columbia. Gates told reporters at media day in October that Crowe's ability to move the ball at 6-foot-4 matches his ability to score. He finished with 21 points, five assists, three steals and two turnovers in the exhibition opener at Kansas State on Oct. 23. "That young man has so much talent, and there's expectations for him to come out and score 50 points a game while at Missouri," Gates said. "He has a high basketball IQ. He's a better passer than anybody gives him credit for." Gates, a point guard at Cal in his playing days 25 years ago, has become an effective play designer and relentless recruiter. The Tigers also brought in another McDonald's All-American, 6-10 forward Toni Bryant, along with wing Aidan Chronister. Gates also used the transfer portal to add depth, adding Bryson Tiller from Kansas, Jaylen Carey from Tennessee and Kennard Davis from BYU. The
