Bryant, Crowe and Tiller embrace underdog role, set national championship expectations at SEC Media Day

Crowe, a highly touted freshman guard expected to contribute immediately, said Missouri's players recognize the team's talent and believe the preseason projections underestimate what the roster can accomplish. Rather than allowing the ranking to become a distraction, the freshmen intend to use it as motivation heading into the season.

"We can't control what the critics say. I mean, we all know they're wrong in our heads. We know they're wrong," Crowe said. "We should have been higher than eighth. But you know, when the season comes along and when it's all said and done, we're gonna be higher than that and somebody's gonna be on the All-SEC teams."

Tiller shared Crowe's approach to the preseason poll, saying the Tigers are more concerned with what they accomplish on the court than where the media expects them to finish. The forward transferred from Kansas to Missouri, making his arrival in Columbia a historic move given the rivalry between the two programs. But he is simply focused on his new teammates and the opportunity ahead.

"Can't really do anything about that," Tiller said. "We're not really worried about any rankings and stuff. The truth will come to light at the end of the day, so we'll see how it goes at the end of the season."

Bryant, another member of Missouri's incoming freshman class, said the team's players share a similar mindset and are motivated to demonstrate that the Tigers belong among the top programs in the conference. He believes the team's chemistry has already helped establish a foundation for the season.

"These guys are just like me. It's just adding fuel to the fire," Bryant said. "We're just gonna prove everybody wrong."

Crowe embraces scoring reputation while developing on-court leadership

Crowe enters Missouri with a reputation as an elite scorer, but coach Dennis Gates challenged the freshman to expand his game during the summer. Instead of allowing Crowe to rely heavily on pick-and-roll situations, Gates wanted him to move the ball, work through multiple sides of the offense and become more comfortable creating opportunities for his teammates.

Crowe admitted the adjustment was difficult at first as pick-and-rolls had been a major part of his offensive approach. However, he believes the challenge helped him grow as a player and prepare for the responsibilities of running a college offense.

The freshman described himself as an all-around scorer capable of attacking all three levels while also facilitating for teammates. He pointed to NBA guards Jalen Brunson, De'Aaron Fox and Damian Lillard as influences on his playing style. He pointed to Brunson's ability to score in the middle of the floor, Fox's speed and Lillard's shooting range.

Despite his scoring ability, Crowe said his priorities extend beyond leading Missouri in points. As the team's point guard, he understands that his responsibilities include communicating, keeping teammates in the right positions and making decisions that benefit the entire offense.

"I got to be a leader on this team," Crowe said. "I am being a leader with my voice, and leading with my play, just being aggressive on the court."

Crowe also identified defense as an area where he wants to improve, particularly when applying pressure to opposing ball handlers and learning tendencies through film study. He believes the combination of individual development and the team's work over the summer has helped Missouri build momentum heading into the season.

"I worked hard, but they pushed me to work even harder," Crowe said. "I'm fitting in pretty well. I feel like we had a really good summer that led into a really good fall. I feel like we're gelling pretty well."

Although Crowe acknowledged that the Tigers still have details to fix before the season begins, he expressed confidence in the group's readiness to compete. He expects Missouri's energy and preparation to become apparent once the games begin.

"We've got some things to clean up before the season starts, but that's all within us," Crowe said. "I feel like there's nothing too huge to be worried about. I feel like when that first game starts, you're gonna see a lot of energy and a lot of wins this year."

Bryant credits Gates' influence and freshman chemistry

For Bryant, the decision to attend Missouri came down to the relationship he developed with Gates throughout the recruiting process. Gates consistently showed interest and established a level of trust that helped make Columbia the right destination for Bryant's college career.

"I just built the best connection with coach Gates," Bryant said. "I feel like he's just been recruiting me the longest, recruiting me the hardest, and he really just became that second father figure to me."

Bryant described himself as a hard-working player who takes pride in competing, even as he acknowledged that his shooting has been questioned. He said his summer development focused not only on improving his skills on the court, but also strengthening his mental approach to the game; an area he identified as a major priority under Gates' guidance.

The freshman also spoke positively about his new teammates, highlighting Crowe's ability to make plays for others and Tiller's versatility. Bryant said the group developed a natural connection during the summer, giving him confidence that the team's synergy can translate into results during the season.

"We just gel together," Bryant said. "It was a natural chemistry there from everyone, so that was really surprising to see. I haven't seen that on any of my high school teams."

That connection could be important for a Missouri team integrating plenty of newcomers while attempting to compete in one of the nation's most challenging conferences. Bryant believes the players' shared motivation and willingness to work together will help them handle the expectations that come with playing in the SEC.

Tiller makes rival-to-rival move and believes in championship potential

Tiller's path to Missouri has drawn attention because of his decision to leave Kansas for its longtime rival. The forward said the move was a personal decision based on his development and confidence in the program, rather than an attempt to make a statement about either school.

"I'm my own person, at the end of the day," Tiller said. "I didn't make it for anybody else but me and the betterment of this team. So I'm just really excited to get out there, play, and compete every day."

Tiller said Gates stood out during the recruiting process because of his honesty and the environment he established for players. He added that practicing and competing without feeling unnecessary pressure has helped him with the transition.

The forward described himself as an energetic leader who wants to bring enthusiasm to the locker room and use his voice to help teammates. He believes the physicality he experienced in the Big 12 will help prepare him for the SEC, where Missouri will face a demanding schedule against talented opponents.

Tiller praised Bryant's athleticism and Crowe's scoring ability, saying both freshmen bring qualities that can help the Tigers pursue their goals. He believes the team's complete nature gives Missouri the potential to compete at the highest level.

"I feel like we're very capable of winning the national championship," Tiller said. "We have the size, strength and athletic ability to do so. I feel like if we stay disciplined and locked in as a team, then we can accomplish that."

Tiller's championship ambitions reflect the confidence shared by Missouri's incoming freshmen, even with the program entering the season outside the  projected top tier of the conference. The Tigers must translate that belief into consistent performances, but Crowe, Bryant and Tiller have made it clear they are not interested in accepting the expectations placed on them before the season begins.