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Whitten Family Men’s Basketball Head Coach Dennis Gates!

Today, of course, is the day that we expect Gates to be officially enshrined as the 20th head coach in Mizzou Men’s Basketball history. Early yesterday morning, a Board of Curators session was called for later this morning, a step that must occur so that the curators can ratify the terms of an important contract. That contract, of course, evidently belongs to Mr. Gates, who (allegedly) arrived late yesterday morning at Columbia Regional Airport.

Today will likely be a day of fanfare and pressers and quotes, so this is our last chance to soak in some of the analysis that comes with a coaching hire before said hire is stamped and approved.

You may have heard that friend of Rock M Nation Podcasts and Southeastern 14 host Blake Lovell is a big fan of Gates. But even if you’ve listened to his exploits on Dive Cuts, I strongly suggest you take a listen to his discussion with Chris Lee on their coaching carousel episode. I’ve cued up the link to start right when they begin their discussion on Gates. Overly sensitive (and pessimistic) Missouri fans may require a content warning: Lovell and Lee are going to make fun of you.

Gates also has a big fan (understandably) in Ben Braun, who coached Gates at the University of California-Berkeley. Braun spoke with Dave Matter at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about Gates, whom he pegged as a future coach early on, and told Matter a number of interesting stories about Gates’ time as a Golden Bear.

Braun’s favorite Gates story comes from another Arizona State game. Late in the second half, Cal was awarded free throws for a technical foul. Braun told Gates to shoot the pivotal foul shots.

“He says, ‘No, Coach. You got Ryan Forehan-Kelly sitting on the bench. He’s a way better free throw shooter. You need to put him in,’” said Braun, who did just that and watched Forehan-Kelly clinch the win from the line. “Dennis was coaching the team back then — and at his own expense. How about that?”

We’re sure to hear a lot of anecdotes like that in the coming days. As for today, it’s time to settle into the new reality that is Dennis Gates, Head Basketball Coach.

Stay tuned with us throughout the day and the coming weeks, where we’ll have breaking news, analysis and maybe even a take or two on the earliest days of Gates’ (hopefully long and fruitful) tenure.

Yesterday at Rock M

• In which Kortay recaps Mizzou Baseball’s disappointing trip to Nashville
• In which the bracket challenge is updated and the staff’s failings are bemoaned
• In which Parker looks at Mizzou’s depth at RB and WR following an explosive spring game
• In which bracket genius Matthew Smith grades Mizzou Wrestling following the NCAA Championships

More Links:

• You may have heard that Keegan O’Toole is a newly minted National Champion. Did you also know he’s about to win an award from USA Wrestling?

• O’Toole wasn’t the only big winner for Mizzou Wrestling this weekend. Junior Jarrett Jacques got himself engaged at some point after the NCAA Championships were over! Congrats Jarrett!

• The first defection of the offseason has come for Mizzou Women’s Hoops.

Dorroh was one of three players suspended for key games at season’s end due to a “violation of team standards.”

• You want some trophies? Swim and Dive have some trophies.

• Junior Anna Dixon of Mizzou Volleyball has been invited to train with the U.S. Women’s National Collegiate team during the coming summer.
• If you’re looking to sign up for ESPN+, Rock M Nation now has an affiliate link: click Here for ESPN+ Now!
• If you’re looking to sign up for a new streaming service, you can try FuboTV: click HERE for FuboTV access — FuboTV now has ESPN, CBS, FS1 and more sports channels.
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