Why Dennis Gates Urged Fans Not to Rush Court After Win Over Alabama

Gates took to Mizzou Arena's announcement system with just seconds to play to instruct Mizzou Arena's fans not to rush the court.

Feb 12, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Dennis Gates reacts during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

COLUMBIA, Mo. — With 1.5 seconds remaining in an upset victory over No. 4 Alabama, Missouri Tigers head coach Dennis Gates called a timeout to take the PA microphone.

He urged the student section at Mizzou Arena to refrain from rushing the court, adding to the messages appearing on the video board reminding fans of the Southeastern Conference rules fining home teams when fans rush the court.

"We need that money for NIL. We don't need to be getting fines out there," Gates explained in his press conference after the win. "But, the safety. And I hope that becomes a normal thing. And when you're excited, which I give our crowd credit for being, I just didn't want us to rush the court and get a fine."

Missouri coach Dennis Gates asked the students not to rush the floor after beating No. 4 Alabama. They listened. pic.twitter.com/n5dZVxNfmu

— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) February 20, 2025

Missouri fans rushed the court in a Dec. 8 win over then-No.1 Kansas, an instance when Gates said afterward he wanted to take the microphone to order fans to "rush the damn court."

Missouri was fined $100,000 when fans rushed the field after football's win over No. 15 Kansas State in September of 2023. The program was then fined $250,000 rushed the court after the basketball win over then-No. 1 Kansas. This would've been the program's third offense, setting up a $500,000 fine.

Missouri's 110-98 win over Alabama gave Tiger fans every reason to be excited, however. After finishing multiple highlight plays and earning their fifth-ranked win of the season, four of which came at home.

"Ultimately, they showed up, and I think our crowd, I wasn't trying to take any fun away from them, but I hope they're ready for next week as well," Gates said. "I kind of want them to keep that energy up and obviously continue to do the things that they do to impact the game."

The Tigers' next home matchup is against South Carolina on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 8:00 p.m. CT, but they play next on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 7:00 p.m. CT on the road against the Arkansas Razorbacks.