The Morning Commute for Tuesday, February 18

Welcome to the Morning Commute

Today we’re talking about 15th-ranked Mizzou.

After suffering their first 0-2 week of the season with losses against Tennessee and Texas A&M, Mizzou Basketball bounced back with a 2-0 week with wins over Oklahoma and Georgia.

As a result, the Tigers have climbed up six spots to No. 15 in the latest AP Top 25 poll — one of nine SEC teams in the rankings. Missouri checks in at No. 16 in the coaches’ poll.

Mark Mitchell played a huge role in Missouri’s 2-0 week with a career-high 25 points against Oklahoma, and he followed that with a 14-point performance at Georgia. You would think he would have been a contender for SEC Player of the Week, but that award went to Auburn’s Denver Jones.

Up next for Mizzou is home vs No. 4 Alabama on Wednesday night. That’s obviously a huge game for both teams as the Tigers look to get into top four seed territory, and the Tide are looking to keep hold of their No. 1 seed.

Regardless of how the rest of the regular season unfolds, Mizzou is going to be a team that can make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Florida head coach Todd Golden certainly agrees.

Elsewhere, gymnastics moves up to No. 8 in the latest Road to Nationals rankings.

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Yesterday at Rock M and Rock M+

• Morning Commute from Josh Matejka: Mizzou’s a LOCK

“If you’ve been following our chatter over at Rock M+, you’d know that our team had circled last Saturday’s game as Mizzou’s chance to practically put a seal on an at-large bid.”

Mizzou is an NCAA Tournament “lock” in mid-February, which is nice!

• Olympic Sports Catch Up from Karen Steger: Fifth Edition

Get caught up on the latest on Mizzou’s Olympic Sports!

• Study Hall from Sam Snelling: Mizzou 87, Georgia 74

“The win moved the Tigers to 14th in KenPom, and 8-4 in conference play.”

Man….what a season this has been so far.

• From me, Matthew Gustafson, and Rory Whetstone: Mizzou Baseball sees surge in power, yet leaves the Puerto Rico Challenge with losing record

“A 1-2 start to the season isn’t what Mizzou wanted, but it’s important to note that the Tigers played some quality teams this weekend. UConn and Stetson were NCAA Tournament teams last year and were both picked to finish first in their respective conferences.”

There’s room for improvement for this Mizzou Baseball team three games into this season.

• Rock-M-Tology from me: Mizzou Basketball is in contention for a top four seed

“Missouri didn’t make the cut, but their current resume has them within striking distance down the stretch to earn a No. 4 seed. The Tigers will have a massive opportunity in hopes of earning a protected seed on Wednesday night vs Alabama.”

We Want Bama!

• Mizzou Baseball Roster Preview from Matthew Gustafson and Rory Whetsone: Middle Infielders

“One of the JUCO transfers, Gehrig Goldbeck, was expected to start at shortstop but will instead be limited to a hitting only role after having Tommy John surgery.

His Kansas City Kansas Community College teammate, Peyton Basler, is now expected to lead a rotating cast of characters up the middle.

Peyton Basler will highlight the Mizzou Baseball middle infield this season.

• Over at Rock M+: The latest bracket projection from DataMizzou, plus more on poll updates.

Rock M Radio’s Majority Rules: Softball starts strong, Women’s hoops wins again, and much more

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