The Morning Commute for Thursday, February 20

Welcome to the Morning Commute

Today we’re talking about Mizzou Basketball, because of course!

Over the course of this season, Missouri has gone from a surprising story to a real good team. Though, prior to Wednesday night the Tigers have yet to prove that they’re one of the nation’s “elite.”

The win over kU was fun (but that quality of a win has fallen off as bad as the Jayhawks have been recently). The road win over Florida certainly felt like a statement win at the time, but could Mizzou build off that?

Wins over Ole Miss and Mississippi State certainly caught people’s attention that the Tigers are a legitimate NCAA Tournament team, but the losses to Tennessee and Texas A&M just so happened to be a minor setback despite them being top 10 teams.

Wednesday night against Alabama was one of the final chances in the regular season to deliver a statement win.

And boy, did Dennis Gates’ squad deliver.

In a 110-98 win over Alabama, Mizzou improved to 20-6 (9-4 SEC) on the season. Mark Mitchell had a (new) career-high 31 points. The win pushed Mizzou up to No. 12 on KenPom.

Insert (shush) emoji.

What’s left to prove for the rest of the regular season? Getting the best seed as possible for the NCAA Tournament.

And we all know the NCAA Tournament is a crapshoot, so enjoy this team as much as you can. Regardless of what happens the rest of the way, they have been an absolute BLAST to watch.

Enjoy the ride.

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Yesterday at Rock M and Rock M+

• Morning Commute from Chad Moller: Even if Mizzou Benefits, Should the SEC Get Four Auto-Bids Into the CFP

“On one hand, if the SEC was to get four auto bids, that would be a benefit to Mizzou, right? That means the Tigers would enter every season having a 4-in-16 chance of making the CFP (or 25%, according to my limited journalistically-trained math skills).”

This would certainly give Mizzou a better chance of reaching the CFP, but I like how the playoff is currently formatted.

• Coaching Report Cards from Nathan Hurst: Eli Drinkwitz

“While his final grade for 2024 is an evaluation of the job he did in 2024 alone, it is impossible (and foolish) not to apply appropriate context to his overall grade. That said, Eli Drinkwitz passes his 2024 test with flying colors. Here’s to see if he can parlay it into even more success in 2025 and beyond.”

Mixed in with recruiting, culture building, and on-field success, Hurst gives Drinkwitz and A- on the season.

• MBB Preview from Quentin Corpuel: Mizzou hosts Alabama with history on the line

Game Prediction

My prediction: Mizzou 78, Alabama 74

Quentin predicted a Mizzou win, just a lower score!

• Mizzou Baseball Roster Preview from Matthew Gustafson and Rory Whetsone: Corner Outfielders

The Young Gun

Brady Picarelli, RF/1B – Picarelli was the top outfielder in the state of Missouri during this class, according to Prep Baseball Report, and slugged .797 at Eureka High School – power which he also displayed during Mizzou’s Fall World Series. He’s gotten an early start to his collegiate career, hitting .207 with a .637 OPS this summer for the Appalachian League’s Elizabethton River Riders. The freshman manned first base during the Fall World Series and will likely back up Brock Daniels this season, limiting his outfield contributions in the short term.

I’ve got to shout out Brady Picarelli from my high school alma mater!

• MBB Live Thread from Adeen Rao: No. 15 Tigers host rivalry-blemished No. 4 Alabama
• MBB Gamer from Quentin Corpuel: Mizzou secures another top-five win, topples No. 4 Alabama in track meet

“Just like all those years ago, the victory will catapult Mizzou in numerous fashions. Barring a loss to Arkansas on Saturday, the Tigers will likely end up in the top 10 of the AP poll. In a qualitative sense, Mizzou skyrocketed elsewhere: these Tigers are for real. For real.”

Mizzou is FOR REAL!

• Over at Rock M+: Lineup performances for Missouri at Georgia, the Game Thread vs Alabama, and a Bracket Mini-Projection from DataMizzou

Rock M Radio’s Dive Cuts: #15 Mizzou is red hot with #4 Alabama up next

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