‘Remembered for years’: At NCAAs in Wichita, Missouri Tigers share March Madness memories
The Missouri men’s basketball team hopes to make its own March Madness memories this weekend in Wichita, as the Tigers chase their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2009.
Before No. 6 seed Mizzou takes on No. 11 seed Drake in an opening-round game of the NCAA Tournament at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Intrust Bank Arena, players on the Tigers were asked what their favorite memory was growing up watching the postseason tournament.
Ahead of his third NCAA Tournament appearance, Mizzou senior and Kansas City, Kansas native Tamar Bates had the most complete answer:
“The first game that comes to mind was a (2017) game between Florida and Wisconsin because I remember Aaron Rodgers was there and (Zak Showalter) made a 3 and did the Aaron Rodgers celebration,” Bates said.
“And then (Florida’s) Chris Chiozza came down and hit a floater for the win. I remember the Buddy Hield run (at Oklahoma). I remember the Texas A&M comeback in the last minute when they had Alex Caruso. I’m just a basketball fanatic man. I remember a lot of games that people probably forget. Everybody talks about Dunk City and Saint Peter’s and Yale last year, but I just remember a lot of random games.
“What I’m trying to do is create my own moment and be somebody people will remember for years to come.”
Here are the answers from the other Mizzou players in Wichita:
Junior forward Aidan Shaw from Overland Park
“I just remember my family would always go over to my grandparents’ house and watch the games and eat good food and trash-talk each other. So I don’t really have one memory. My favorite was in 2023, when we made the tournament in Sacramento. Nothing beats actually playing in the tournament.”
Sophomore guard Anthony Robinson II from Tallahassee, Florida
“I was a big De’Aaron Fox guy. So when they played (North Carolina in 2017) and they lost, he was crying in the locker room and shoot, I was crying right there with him. I was a big De’Aaron Fox guy. He was fast and quick and explosive, so I kind of tried to model my game a little bit after that.”
Freshman guard Marcus Allen from Miami
“In 2022, Coach K’s last game: Duke vs. North Carolina. Just understanding how big that rivalry is and what it’s like when it comes to Duke-UNC. That was just a crazy game and for that to be the last game for Coach K, I just always remembered that one. And then Caleb Love shooting that dagger at the end. That was a great memory I had.”
Freshman guard T.O. Barrett from Oklahoma City
“My favorite player growing up was definitely Buddy Hield. He was so good at Oklahoma and I always looked up to him, so I loved watching him play and OU go on that run. Outside of that, I just always remember watching the games with my family. The whole tournament is special to me.”
Sophomore forward Trent Pierce from Tulsa
“I don’t really have a favorite memory, so definitely hearing our name called on Selection Sunday and finding out who we were playing. I’m just looking forward to the opportunity.”
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