SEC media days: Missouri coach standing by Mark Mitchell in eligibility fight

By Field Level Media Oct 14 (Field Level Media) Missouri head coach Dennis Gates wasn t scheduled to appear at the SEC s preseason media days until Wednesday, but he got his appearance in Birmingham, Ala., changed to Tuesday for a very important reason Gates plans to be with Mark Mitchell in court on Wednesday as the star forward attempts to gain a fifth season of NCAA eligibility. I am used to it. I don t look at it like a problem, Gates said of the Tigers uncertain roster three weeks away from the start of the new season. I ve never been given ​a silver spoon. I ve always had to do more with less. I ve always had to make decisions at the last minute, last second, but also it allows me to show that I m talented ‌in what I m doing. I m a CEO, not just a basketball coach. I know how to manage people, manage egos, but also manage a locker room. Mitchell was not selected in this summer s NBA draft. At one point he agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Denver Nuggets, but cruci