Missouri Tigers Rewrite Record Books in SEC Showdown
The No. 15 Missouri Tigers (19-6, 8-4 SEC) are making national headlines after dismantling No. 4 Alabama 110-98 Wednesday night – setting a program record for points scored against an SEC opponent while shooting a blistering 60% from the field. This statement win propels Dennis Gates’ squad into serious NCAA Tournament contention as March Madness approaches.
Dynamic Duo Delivers
Transfer forward Mark Mitchell exploded for a career-high 31 points against Alabama, showcasing why ESPN analysts call Missouri “the most dangerous dark horse in college basketball”. Sixth man Caleb Grill added 25 points off the bench, continuing his case for SEC Sixth Man of the Year honors. The Tigers’ offense now ranks:
- 1st in SEC free throw attempt rate
- 2nd in SEC 3-point percentage (35%+)
- 12th nationally in field goal percentage at rim
From Cellar to Contender
In one of college basketball’s most remarkable turnarounds, Mizzou has gone from 0-18 in SEC play last season to currently sitting fifth in the conference standings. Their resurgence features:
| Key Stat | 2023-24 | 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 8-24 | 19-6 |
| SEC Wins | 0 | 8 |
| Quad 1 Wins | 0 | 6 |
Road Test Ahead
Fresh off their historic victory, the Tigers face Arkansas Saturday night in Fayetteville – a rematch of their 83-65 January rout. While center Tamar Bates remains questionable with an ankle injury, Mizzou’s depth (10 players averaging 10+ minutes) gives them multiple weapons to attack Arkansas’ struggling defense.
ESPN’s Jay Bilas recently declared: “This Missouri team has the size, shooting, and defensive versatility to beat anyone in America when they’re clicking”. With five regular-season games remaining, the Tigers control their destiny for a potential double-bye in the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament seeding boost.
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