Mizzou basketball eying win on Senior Day vs. Alabama, not worried about SEC seeding
When the Missouri Tigers battle the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, it’ll be Senior Day. The final time MU forward Reed Nikko will play a game at Mizzou Arena.
A traveling party of about 30 friends and family members are expected for the Maple Grove, Minnesota native.
There’s still business to take care of in the 1:30 p.m. game against the Crimson Tide. The Tigers (14-16, 6-11 SEC) are still in contention for the No. 10 seed in the SEC Tournament, which means they could earn a bye through the first round.
“It’ll take care of itself before the game,” Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin said. “If you want to be an NCAA Tournament team, you have to win games. Doesn’t matter at this point if we’re winning basketball games.”
Earning that bye in the SEC Tournament is an uphill battle for the Tigers, who need other results around the league to go their way. First thing, though, is for Mizzou to pick up a victory against the Crimson Tide.
Elsewhere, Mizzou needs Arkansas to lose to Texas A&M, then the Tigers and Hogs will be tied at 7-11 in the SEC. From there, the Tigers also need Mississippi to lose and the tiebreaker at the top of the conference to line up just right.
The Tigers can still get that coveted No. 10 seed, but they don’t control their own destiny. While seeding for the SEC Tournament is on many fans’ minds, the team is focusing on other priorities.
“We’re not worried about that,” Mitchell Smith said of seeding. “We’re just trying to go out there and get a win. Not only just that but get a win for Reed. I want to get that win for Senior Day so he can go out with a bang. Guys are going to bring extra energy.”
For Mizzou, there’s familiarity in facing the Crimson Tide. Last time the teams met, the Tigers fell just short of a comeback attempt — a similar theme in road losses this season.
Mizzou turned in a strong effort in the second half, but the final minutes were squandered as the Tigers lost 88-74.
“We know what they do,” Martin said. “Obviously spread you out. (Kira) Lewis has done a tremendous job growing throughout the season. So fast. Gets to the rim, making three balls. Doing a lot of great things for the team. He makes them go.”
Alabama shoots droves of three-pointers, which it displayed against the Tigers. The Crimson Tide are led by Kira Lewis Jr., Jaden Shackelford and John Petty Jr., though there’s a chance Petty does not play Saturday because of an injury.
“I have no doubt they’ll play guys who make threes, no doubt about that,” Martin said. “As we approach the game, we’ll approach it as if (Pett will) play. That’s how we look at it.”