Missouri Tigers vs Miami Hurricanes: March Madness Preview

0:00On March 20, Missouri's Tigers basketball team faces the Miami Hurricanes in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at 9-10pm in St. Louis. Head coach Dennis Gates held a pre-B press conference there on Thursday stressing how every possession counts in March madness. Gates noted that while Missouri and Miami share some similarities, scouting them is no easier than last year's prep against Drake. He called this squad a fresh team with its own identity, drawing lessons from 10 southeastern conference games that felt just like tournament play. Players like Jaden Stone and Sean Phillips are thrilled for their first NCAA appearances, even after a long season. Gates praised Stone's excitement and urged the team to prioritize defense and small details over just scoring stats. The coach reflected on tough losses to Oklahoma and Arkansas using them to sharpen focus now. With a tight prep schedule, he's leaning on his own tournament playing days to guide these guys through the pressure. Expect the battle where execution decides it all, as Missouri kicks off its dance right here at home, Turfan St. Louis.