Madness Awaits: Mizzou Bursts Free from the Bubble Bind

And breathe, Mizzou Nation...

A dominating performance for Dennis Gates and Co. in Starkville on Saturday might not be the biggest win on the Tigers' résumé, but it does however likely solidify that this team will be dancing in March as they improve to 20-9 overall, 10-6 in the SEC.

First and foremost, FIRE ME UP, GREEN GREG!!!!!!! (Family always, BFW)

After a disastrous December that saw losses at Notre Dame (76-71) and two neutral site losses to kansas (80-60) and Illinois (91-48), fans started to doubt the tournament hopes before the start of SEC play.

Entering the game, Mizzou's NET ranking was 58, Quad 1 record was 5-5, Quad 2 record was 4-4, Quad 3 record of 2-0, and Quad 4 record of 8-0.

A 2-0 week is exactly what the doctor ordered, though. After a big 73-69 victory over No. 22 Tennessee at home on Tuesday night, the Tigers came out and dominated for 40 minutes at Mississippi State, 88-64, giving them their 5th Quad 2 win of the year.

Other quality wins for the Tigers include victories over Florida at home (76-74), at Kentucky (73-68), vs. Auburn (84-74), at Texas A&M (86-85), vs. Vanderbilt (81-80).

Also, don't look now, but an Alabama win at Tennessee on Saturday afternoon would move the Tigers into the No. 4 spot in the SEC standings, letting them control their own destiny for a double-bye in the SEC tournament with games remaining at Oklahoma and home against Arkansas.

This Missouri team is getting dangerously hot at the right time, unlike last year where they had lost three out of four heading into the conference tournament before being upset by No. 11 seed Drake in the first round of the 2025 NCAA tournament.

However, it appears that the Tigers have done enough to punch their ticket to March with two regular season games left. Gates will have now made the tournament three times in his first four seasons in Columbia. After earning an extension in year one, it will be interesting to see what AD Laird Veatch decides at the end of the season if Gates wants another extension.

The Tigers were a projected 10 seed and towards the top of the Last Four Byes according to ESPN'S Joe Lunardi heading into Saturday.

If you haven't gotten a chance to watch Mizzou this year, here is a rundown on players to know.

Mark Mitchell, 6'9, Senior — Mitchell should be a first team All-SEC player at the end of the year. The captain is averaging 17.4 points per game, 5.4 rebounds, and nearly four assists in 2025-26. Mitchell is a left-handed post presence who loves backing his opponents down and finishing around the rim. The Tigers go as he goes.

T.O. Barrett, 6'4, Sophomore — Barrett has stepped up in more ways than one this year. Many fans thought Anthony Robinson II was going to be the star PG that led this team to March this season, but after a tough struggle during the non-con and beginning of SEC play, Barrett was inserted into the starting lineup and hasn't skipped a beat. Barrett is averaging nearly nine points per game, but had a career high 28 points in a win over Tennessee on Tuesday. He and Robinson are likely the best backcourt defenders in the conference.

Jayden Stone, 6'4, Senior — Stone is a transfer from West Virginia that has carried a lot of the scoring load for Mizzou's backcourt this winter. Stone averages 14 points per game and shoots 40% from beyond-the-arc and a solid defender.

Trent Pierce, 6'10, Junior — Pierce missed all of the non-conference slate with an injury, but has been a huge spark to Missouri's offense. His jump from his freshman to sophomore season was well-documented, but the jump he made from year 2 to year 3 can't be understated either. He has come in and been a matchup nightmare for opposing teams a 6'10" sharpshooter on the wing and thrown down some highlight slams.

Other key contributors on this team include Anthony Robinson (9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.1 APG), Shawn Phillips (7.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG), Trent Burns (7'5", 260 lbs), Jacob Crews (9.3 PPG, 45% from 3).