Tuesday marked the day that anticipation stopped and actuality began for Missouri basketball. After building a highly anticipated roster that featured the program's second-highest ranked freshmen class in history, three four-star transfers and a few key returners, the stage was set against Cleveland State at Mizzou Arena.
Five-star freshman point guard Jason Crowe Jr., the main attraction of the show, was met with a roar of cheers from Mizzou Arena upon completing his first act: a step-back 3-pointer that hit the bottom of the net to put Missouri up 7-0 just over 1 minute into the game. Crowe returned the row with a smile, one he tried to but couldn't hide.
"I was trying not to smile throughout the whole game," Crowe said. "I couldn't help it. It was like a little kid in me throughout the whole game, just finally playing my first college game, it felt so good."
The Vikings put an emphasis on slowing the freshman phenom before the game.
"Make sure Jason Crowe didn't go crazy," CSU coach Rob Summers said of his team's gameplan. "Obviously, he went a little crazy."
Nov 3, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Jason Crowe Jr. (5) shoots as Cleveland State Vikings guard Ogbe Uagboe (11) looks on during the second half of the game at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The showman lived up to the hype, scoring 23 points on 9-for-16 shooting to guide Missouri to a 111-50 victory in his opening night. He put the ball in the net in all sorts of ways, ranging from middies to finishes through contact and triples, helping the Tigers reach a higher point total than it did in any game in 2025-26. Summers also said Crowe was "obviously a lottery pick."
Fellow five-star freshman Toni Bryant was right alongside Crowe for the pair's debut. The 6-foot-10 swatted two shots on the Tigers' first defensive possession and finished the first half with 11 points - including three triples - four rebounds and 2 blocks.
"Toni is a very special and efficient player," Gates said. "He doesn't need the ball in his hand to get in every category of the stat sheet."
Four-star transfers Jamier Jones and Bryson Tiller each made impacts with their athleticism. Tiller, who earned the start at center, scored his first points of the game courtesy of a drop-step dunk. He finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and one block on the night, a positive sign after struggling against UNLV.
Jones raced up and down the court in transition all night. Jones also converted three and-1's on the night, embracing physicality to score 13 points, snag five rebounds and pile up a combined three steals and blocks on the night.
Nov 3, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Jamier Jones (1) dribbles the balll against the Cleveland State Vikings during the first half of the game at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
"He has a high motor, and it's contagious," Transfer guard Kennard Davis Jr. said.
Crowe added: "He's the most athletic player I've ever played with."
Davis, a fellow four-star transfer out of St. Louis who played last season at BYU, poured in 19 points on 7-for-9 shooting, including four triples. He embraced his role off the bench despite starting every game the last two seasons.
Fifth-year forward Mark Mitchell was one of two returners - joining Trent Pierce - to play 15 or more minutes on the night and one just five to see the floor at all. Seeing Mitchell in the No. 25 jersey was a familiar sight, but the way he operated was entirely different.
On Monday, Missouri coach Dennis Gates explained how Mitchell had to "uncomfortably" be the leading shot-taker and sometimes only source of Missouri's offense last season.
Mitchell found Bryant for an alley-oop in the third quarter to mark his 10th and final assist of the night, setting a new career high in the department. Crowe and Davis were both "surprised" by Mitchell's playmaking. Gates wasn't.
Nov 3, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Mark Mitchell (25) shoots a free throw against the Cleveland State Vikings during the first half of the game at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
"I had to put him in a headlock, twist his arm for him to be a go-to guy and score (last year)," Gates said. "I think what he did and what he does galvanizes this team, and obviously his goal of coming back was to make sure that he teaches all the newcomers, all the guys about the opportunity, but also how to play. He knows how to pass."
Every Tiger that was active for the contest got in the game. Freshman Aidan Chronister suffered an injury to his left hand during Monday's practice that will keep him sidelined for at least one month. Senior forwards Luke Northweather and Jaylen Carey also did not play - Carey is suspended for a violation of team rules and Northweather sat out for precaution. Junior Annor Boateng remains out for the season, and once-prospective Tiger C.J. Gunn was ruled ineligible by the SEC, although he was on the team's bench in street clothes.
After handling business against a lowly Cleveland State program out of the Horizon League, Mizzou (1-0) will hit the road to play a talented Saint Louis squad at 6 p.m. Friday at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/missouri as Mizzou basketball excites in blowout win over Cleveland State .
