Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports
Conference play for the Missouri Tigers has been a roller coaster ride this season, but in a conference where third through tenth place are only separated by three games, the Tigers are still alive for a tournament berth in the muddled mess that is the SEC. The tumultuous conference lacks the basketball pedigree of an ACC or Big 10, but the top-heavy conference that has faced its fair share of criticism this season is still slated to get between four and six tournament bids. The Tigers are one of the teams still struggling for survival in the conference, but Saturday’s could go a long way as Missouri looks to claim one of the final tournament bids.
Missouri boosted its resume with the 85-66 blowout win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Tigers’ offensive onslaught received contributions from a cast of characters, but it was Jabari Brown leading the way with 21 points, five rebounds and five assists. Jordan Clarkson and Keanau Post both contributed 14 points in the winning effort that could spark a tournament run for the Tigers. Missouri illustrated what it is capable of, but are the Tigers really tournament bound after a few mediocre wins?
The Tigers have several mind-boggling losses this season and only have one statement win that came way back in early December, so what has happened to the team that was highly hyped at the beginning of the season? Over the past few years, the Tigers have become perennial contenders in the SEC but this year the Tigers have proven to be somewhat of an enigma.
Missouri’s tournament hopes rest solely on the Tigers’ performance in the SEC Tournament where the team can kill two birds with one stone by winning games and eliminating several other bubble teams all at same time.
Greg Douglas is a College Basketball writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @thegpd93 or add him to your Google Network.
