Missouri HC responds to Dan Dakich’s criticism of former IU Basketball player Tamar Bates

Missouri head coach Dennis Gates responded to Dan Dakich’s criticism of former IU Basketball player Tamar Bates after his team took down Alabama.

Dakich’s original criticism came over a year ago after Missouri dropped to 0-9 in SEC play despite Bates averaging double figures.

“#iubb media clamoring for Tamar Bates at Missouri… told you about Bates from the moment he entered the IU weight room with his family … no chance to win with him!! His @MizzouHoops team HAS NOT WON A GAME IN THE SEC.. – for 20 yrs I’ve told you about @IndianaMBB and I’ve never been wrong,” Dakich said in a tweet posted on February 5, 2o24.

Dakich doubled down on the tweet on Wednesday, quote-tweeting it with the message, “I 1000% stand by this at #iubb.” 

Later that day Bates scored 13 points with four steals to help Mizzou take down No. 4 Alabama.

Bates who played his first two seasons with IU Basketball has been a key piece for Missouri who is 20-6 on the season and currently the No.15 team in the country.

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After his team’s win over Alabama, Dennis Gates was asked about Dakich’s tweets from Wednesday morning.

“I don’t approve of anyone directly attacking a great leader, a great young man, a dude who has never gotten in trouble, a guy that has done everything I have asked. I don’t know who he’s talking about. He may be confusing somebody for somebody else, but sometimes that happens, and what I’m proud of is you haven’t seen Tamar Bates respond on social media one time. And he keeps his focus because he’s grown from his experience at Indiana. He never says, ‘I wish I never went to Indiana.‘ Tamar Bates says, ‘Thank you to Indiana,‘ ” Gates said about the tweets.

Bates has taken a massive leap since his time with IU basketball improving his numbers every season of his career. He is currently averaging 13.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 50.4% from the field and 39.6% from three on the season.

“He has great friends. His daughter’s godfather was his teammate. So from the Indiana experience, we’re able to see this version of Tamar Bates, and I am absolutely proud of who he is as a man, what he stands for, his leadership qualities,” Gates added about Bates. “I just want to sometimes make sure that our guys are told the things they’re doing well. It’s not about those types of tweets.”

In addition to his coach, two of Bates’ teammates spoke highly of him after the win.

“That’s my brother, man. So I don’t know exactly what you’re talking about or whatever was tweeted out, but you know, I think sometimes his passion and just how much he really wants it can rub some people the wrong way. But it’s always been a place of love, each and every one of us,” Mark Mitchell said.

“You know, some people have to adjust to it. Some are not used to it, but it’s come from a place of love. He just wanted to win. And you know, he really cares about each and every one of us. And it’s not about him at all.”

Caleb Grill also praised Bates postgame.

“I‘ve known Tamar since, you know, he was in high school. His brother’s my age. So I’ve known the family for a very long time. I can’t say enough good things, not just about Tamar, but the whole family in general,” Grill said.

“And then I remember when me and Tamar were both in the portal, and you know, I asked Coach Gates who else was he recruiting in the portal. And you know, he mentioned Tamar, and then after that phone call, I immediately called Tamar. And was we were talking about it, and, you know, we kind of were talking about coming here together. I’ve known him and I followed his career at Indiana, followed his career in high school. And you know, there’s not enough good things I can say about him and his family. So that’s the Tamar I know. One of the best leaders I’ve been around as well.”

While Bates was not available to comment after the game, the people around him were quick to praise him in response to Dakich’s tweet while his play this season has answered questions about his character.