Dennis Gates thinks Mizzou has something special in Aidan Shaw. The next test? It’s a doozy

Aidan Shaw always saw himself as a nicer guy.

He came to Missouri with a high billing as a four-star prospect, yet choose to stick with MU even after a coaching change amidst an offseason of uncertainty.

Shaw knew his mentality had to change once he stepped foot on MU’s campus. His answer was to unleash a scream that echoed throughout Mizzou Arena.

“I got to be somebody else,” Shaw told reporters in December. “I scream every time I touch the court to show I’m a monster, basically. The beast is coming out.”

That mentality is important. It’s why Tigers coach Dennis Gates sees Shaw as a player who could be one of the best to ever don an MU uniform.

That mentality has been tested in SEC play. Shaw has seen his minutes fall during MU’s conference slate and didn’t see the court against Florida and Mississippi State.

Gates has said he wants to see more from Shaw, particularly in the rebounding area, where he averages just 1.8 per game. Gates isn’t shy about mentioning how he’s challenged Shaw, especially because Gates sees the potential the uber-athletic freshman has.

“Aidan is a good player, he’s just in the process,” Gates said. “Whenever you’re in the early stages in a career, there’s going to be inconsistencies, there’s going to be certain struggles.”

When Shaw is playing to his potential, he fits right in with MU’s style of play.

Gates’ Tigers are at their best when they’re running fast, getting out in transition and passing the ball into good shots. Shaw fits like a glove as a player who can shoot from the perimeter, but also jump out of the building.

Shaw has been an alley-oop machine, catching lobs from MU’s guards and sparking momentum — and cheers from the Missouri student section. Those plays aren’t what impresses Gates, though.

“What I am excited about is that his disposition, his mindset remain consistent,” Gates said. “It has yielded what I think it should yield.”

That monster mentality Shaw has founded at Missouri hasn’t wavered. He bounced back against South Carolina with five points and an offensive rebound in nine minutes. That included a three-pointer that sparked an MU run that helped the Tigers take the lead into halftime.

Shaw said he curated his alter-ego — the one who yells — because he would be playing against players older than him, as opposed to the teenagers he faced at the high school and AAU levels.

That mentality, and his play, continue to garner high praise from Gates.

“I’m excited about his future,” Gates said. “There’s no doubt about it: Aidan Shaw is going to go down as one of the all-time great players at Mizzou.”

Mizzou seeks potential signature win vs. Tennessee

The Volunteers at a glance:

19-5 overall, 8-3 in SEC, third in the conference standings

Tennessee had quite the week.

Last week, the Volunteers lost to Florida on the road after earning a No. 2 rank in the nation. UT then hosted No. 25 Auburn and held off the Tigers in a 46-43 rock fight. On Wednesday, the Vols were stunned by in-state SEC foe Vanderbilt on a buzzer-beating three.

Saturday’s game gives Tennessee the chance to get back on track. Meanwhile, it’s another opportunity for MU to earn a Quad 1 win. This time, that win would be in February.

MU has beaten three top-20 teams so far this season in Illinois, Kentucky and Iowa State. This is a chance for Gates to earn his first top-10 win of his MU tenure.

“The most important opponent is ourselves,” Gates said. “We just hope to collect enough data that we can go out and be successful.”

Being successful against Tennessee will provide a steep challenge.

The Vols rank 2nd (out of 363 college basketball teams) in points allowed per game. MU has gone up against challenging defenses before, such as Iowa State at home and Mississippi State on the road. The Tigers have split those contests.

The difference between those two games was shot-making. Missouri struggled to make baskets against Mississippi State but blitzed Iowa State.

If Missouri can crack the code of making baskets on the road, which it usually does at home, the Tigers could cement an NCAA Tournament berth with a win over UT. Just don’t call it an upset.

“I don’t believe in the term upset,” Gates said. “Any night, anyone can win. Anyone can lose.”

The Star has partnered with the Columbia Daily Tribune for coverage of Missouri Tigers athletics.

This story was originally published February 10, 2023 at 1:42 PM with the headline "Dennis Gates thinks Mizzou has something special in Aidan Shaw. The next test? It’s a doozy."