Here’s what national experts are saying about Mizzou Tigers’ chances in NCAA Tournament
Regardless of what happens in the next few days — or weeks if things go well — it’s been a remarkable season for the Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team.
After going winless in Southeastern Conference play a season ago, the Tigers rebounded to get make the NCAA Tournament as a No. 6 seed.
That means they’ll be wearing their home jerseys for at least one of the tourney games in Wichita.
Here is what is being said about the Tigers and their NCAA Tournament outlook.
ESPN’s Myron Medcalf praised the Tigers.
This is from his story: “Missouri’s 19-game losing streak to end the 2023-24 season now makes more sense. John Tonje, who is an All-America candidate at Wisconsin, was injured for most of his one season at Missouri. Caleb Grill (13.8 PPG, 40% from the arc) also missed most of last season due to injury. He’s back, the rest of the team has been healthy, and Dennis Gates has orchestrated one of the greatest turnarounds in recent college basketball history. Grill, Duke transfer Mark Mitchell (14.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG) and Iowa transfer Tony Perkins (8.6 PPG) have anchored one of America’s best offensive teams (fifth in adjusted offensive efficiency) and helped this squad reach the NCAA tournament for the second time in three years. Wins over Kansas, Alabama and Florida were pivotal.”
The Athletic’s Rob Dauster sees Mizzou as a darkhorse in the tournament.
Here is what he wrote: “I am bullish on the Tigers’ chances to make a run in the NCAA Tournament, largely because I think their defense is better than the numbers indicate. Missouri switches up defensive game plans as much as any team in the nation. Gates is a disciple of Leonard Hamilton at Florida State, so he’ll run switching man-to-man and different zone looks. The Tigers can play straight-up man defense, and they can deploy Mitchell as a small-ball five or as a three in a much bigger lineup. They are going to be one of the most difficult teams to prepare for on a short turnaround because of how they can confuse you defensively. When you combine the defensive versatility with one of America’s most explosive offenses, this group can beat anyone. Ask Alabama. Ask Florida. They learned the hard way.”
The Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy says Mizzou losing to Drake is the upset special in the West region.
This is a snippet from his story: “There are 364 teams, and Drake ranks 364 in tempo, according to KenPom.com. Missouri scored 100 points twice in the last month. So who do you think is winning that battle? Those who watched Virginia over the course of Tony Bennett’s career recognize there’s nothing more difficult than speeding up a team that wants to move slowly. So can Missouri win when playing at a pace they haven’t seen but twice all season? The winning team scored at least 75 points in all but two Tigers games.”
Nick Bromberg of Yahoo Sports also believes the Tigers could be a one and done.
Here is what he wrote: “Missouri may not even make it out of the first round. The Tigers drew Drake on Thursday in a juicy matchup with lots of local storylines. The Bulldogs are 30-3 and won the Missouri Valley Conference. They’re led by coach Ben McCollum, who won a national title at Division II Northwest Missouri State. Drake’s leading scorer, Bennett Stirtz, is a transfer from NWMSU and a native of suburban Kansas City, Missouri. It wouldn’t be a total shock if Drake beat both the Tigers and Texas Tech to get to the Sweet 16.”
