There isn't a word strong enough to describe how big this win was for Missouri. It could very well be the difference between the NCAA Tournament and the NIT. Not just because it is a win over a quality team (this game might be the one that keeps Mississippi State out of the Dance), but because it would have been such a gut punch to lose it. And going to overtime, I'm pretty sure most people thought Missouri was going to lose it.
After battling all day, Missouri never led by more than four points. But they did lead by four with three minutes to go. And then they gave up an offensive rebound that led to two free throws. And Kobe Brown missed a free throw. And D'Moi Hodge missed the front end of a one-and-one. After MSU tied it, Missouri nearly turned it over. They then executed a perfect inbounds play to get their best player a layup (Gates talked about the play on the final question in the postgame video). And Kobe Brown missed it. To win after all of that is just ridiculous.
*Speaking of the final minute of regulation, Dennis Gates talked about it. He said when MSU got the ball with 16 seconds left down two, Gates told Kobe to foul Tolu Smith. He didn't want to let the Bulldogs have the last shot. Even with a two point lead, he was willing to allow them to tie it to avoid a three so that Missouri had the ball at the end. Pretty interesting strategy. If it hadn't worked, he'd catch hell for it, but I like the outside the box thinking. And it should have worked.
*It was also huge because this is the type of game Missouri has not won all year. It was the type of game we didn't think they could win. They scored just 66 points despite playing five extra minutes. They shot 40% from the floor, 33% from three (by the way, they were 5-21 in regulation and 3-3 in overtime). They got dragged down into the mud by a Mississippi State team that loves to play in the mud. And they won. They proved they can do it. If they're going to make a run in the conference or the NCAA Tournament, chances are, they're going to have to win a game like this. It's nice to have a visual aid to show them it can happen.
*Nick Honor hit the biggest shot obviously and all credit to him (for what it's worth I thought it was a terrible shot, but it went in, so it instantly became a great shot). But as I wrote, I thought Tre Gomillion was the key. Missouri doesn't win that game without him. Raise your hand if you saw him playing 28 minutes and being the key to the win that would virtually ice an NCAA Tournament bid when he committed. Now put your hand down because if it's up you're lying.
*Speaking of unforeseen heroes, how about Noah Carter. I'm right there with those of you who have been criticizing him. It's been a long time since he's contributed much. Gates even said after the game that he hasn't been playing very good basketball lately. Since the Kansas game, Carter had been in double figures only three times and had hit more than half his shots only once. He did both tonight. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't great tonight. But he hit a monstrous three in overtime.
*And that's what you have to love about this team. It's almost always Kobe. It's often Hodge. But it might be literally anybody. Sean East and Dree Gholston weren't good tonight. But they've been the reason for wins at times. Mohammed Diarra, I thought, was very good tonight when he was on the floor. Mabor Majak contributed. If you're on his bench, at some point, Gates is going to call on you. You'd better be ready. Far more often than not, this team has been.
*They're not in the tournament. They're going to have to win a couple more games. But Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss are all in the bottom five in the SEC standings. Georgia just got beat by 32 at Arkansas. Missouri's already beaten LSU and Ole Miss. The Tigers can still get in if they lose one of those games, but there's no reason the expectation shouldn't be 3-0. And then the fun starts.
*Speaking of fun, coming to Mizzou Arena is fun again. It was electric tonight when Missouri started its second half run. The seats are mostly full and the fans that are here are absolutely into it (shoutout to the little kid who drew a standing ovation every time they showed him on the video board tonight, he's the best). I'm appreciative of Dennis Gates and of this team for bringing this back. It's been missing for a LONG time. Meaningful February and March basketball is great. I'm glad we are getting it.
*Instant reaction, video and my story are on the front page. @drewking0222 has more coming tonight. We're shifting the schedule around a little bit so he can get back home to see his family for a few days so we'll have a live show at 9 am tomorrow to talk a little more about this win and what lies ahead.
After battling all day, Missouri never led by more than four points. But they did lead by four with three minutes to go. And then they gave up an offensive rebound that led to two free throws. And Kobe Brown missed a free throw. And D'Moi Hodge missed the front end of a one-and-one. After MSU tied it, Missouri nearly turned it over. They then executed a perfect inbounds play to get their best player a layup (Gates talked about the play on the final question in the postgame video). And Kobe Brown missed it. To win after all of that is just ridiculous.
*Speaking of the final minute of regulation, Dennis Gates talked about it. He said when MSU got the ball with 16 seconds left down two, Gates told Kobe to foul Tolu Smith. He didn't want to let the Bulldogs have the last shot. Even with a two point lead, he was willing to allow them to tie it to avoid a three so that Missouri had the ball at the end. Pretty interesting strategy. If it hadn't worked, he'd catch hell for it, but I like the outside the box thinking. And it should have worked.
*It was also huge because this is the type of game Missouri has not won all year. It was the type of game we didn't think they could win. They scored just 66 points despite playing five extra minutes. They shot 40% from the floor, 33% from three (by the way, they were 5-21 in regulation and 3-3 in overtime). They got dragged down into the mud by a Mississippi State team that loves to play in the mud. And they won. They proved they can do it. If they're going to make a run in the conference or the NCAA Tournament, chances are, they're going to have to win a game like this. It's nice to have a visual aid to show them it can happen.
*Nick Honor hit the biggest shot obviously and all credit to him (for what it's worth I thought it was a terrible shot, but it went in, so it instantly became a great shot). But as I wrote, I thought Tre Gomillion was the key. Missouri doesn't win that game without him. Raise your hand if you saw him playing 28 minutes and being the key to the win that would virtually ice an NCAA Tournament bid when he committed. Now put your hand down because if it's up you're lying.
*Speaking of unforeseen heroes, how about Noah Carter. I'm right there with those of you who have been criticizing him. It's been a long time since he's contributed much. Gates even said after the game that he hasn't been playing very good basketball lately. Since the Kansas game, Carter had been in double figures only three times and had hit more than half his shots only once. He did both tonight. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't great tonight. But he hit a monstrous three in overtime.
*And that's what you have to love about this team. It's almost always Kobe. It's often Hodge. But it might be literally anybody. Sean East and Dree Gholston weren't good tonight. But they've been the reason for wins at times. Mohammed Diarra, I thought, was very good tonight when he was on the floor. Mabor Majak contributed. If you're on his bench, at some point, Gates is going to call on you. You'd better be ready. Far more often than not, this team has been.
*They're not in the tournament. They're going to have to win a couple more games. But Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss are all in the bottom five in the SEC standings. Georgia just got beat by 32 at Arkansas. Missouri's already beaten LSU and Ole Miss. The Tigers can still get in if they lose one of those games, but there's no reason the expectation shouldn't be 3-0. And then the fun starts.
*Speaking of fun, coming to Mizzou Arena is fun again. It was electric tonight when Missouri started its second half run. The seats are mostly full and the fans that are here are absolutely into it (shoutout to the little kid who drew a standing ovation every time they showed him on the video board tonight, he's the best). I'm appreciative of Dennis Gates and of this team for bringing this back. It's been missing for a LONG time. Meaningful February and March basketball is great. I'm glad we are getting it.
*Instant reaction, video and my story are on the front page. @drewking0222 has more coming tonight. We're shifting the schedule around a little bit so he can get back home to see his family for a few days so we'll have a live show at 9 am tomorrow to talk a little more about this win and what lies ahead.
