With the Tigers off to a strong start in SEC play, fans are hoping the Tigers could garner a top spot in the tourney.
Mizzou Hoops is cruising.
Man, how many times have we been able to say that over the past 15 years?
The Tigers currently sit at 16-4 on the season, tied for third in the SEC standings with a 5-2 conference record. It’s far too early to say anyone but the very best teams in the country are a “lock” for the NCAA Tournament. But the Tigers already impressive resume and upward trajectory suggest that anything barring a monumental collapse would see them safely into the tournament for the second time in Dennis Gates’ tenure.
Coming into the 2024-2025 season, a tournament bid was certainly the hope for most fans, even if the actual goal seemed to be getting back on the tournament bubble after a disastrous 2023-2024. But with Missouri’s stock rising, are fans feeling a change in their own expectations?
We asked y’all earlier this week to name what seed you expect the Tigers to get as of this moment in the season. The answers seem pretty reasonable considering how well Mizzou has played over the past few months.
The Tigers are still hovering around that 8-and-9 seed line for some prognosticators, mostly because they’re something of an unexpected contender. Surely a top four finish in the gauntlet of the SEC would move them into the protected seed range, which 44 percent of you believe they’re tracking toward.
This feels like a good time to remind you: Matt Watkins, our resident bracket expert, does weekly bracket matrixes over on Rock M+. Subscribe and you’ll be privy to his various maths and even game film breakdowns in the form of The Verdict.
We also asked you, as something of a throwaway question, who you think Missouri’s MVP of the season is so far.
That’s not a surprising pick. The Kansas City native has been electric this year, a leader who has vaulted Missouri to the highest stage with big performances in big wins against kansas and Ole Miss. Caleb Grill likely suffered from some time spent on the injury list, but the fact that he’s the SEC’s most dangerous shooter helps his case.
Personally? I think Mark Mitchell has my vote. While Bates and Grill have been tremendous, no player has changed the course of Missouri’s fortunes quite like the Duke transfer. He has his flaws — imagine if he shot free throws well! — but Mitchell is a force that opposing teams have to contend with every game. He’s their second leading scorer, their leading rebounder, their leading shot blocker… he’s Mr. Everything. And there’s still room for refinement!