Ouch!

OSU 73 MU 71.

This one kinda hurt. So many times this season the Tigers have teased fans and tricked them into believing that they could have a shot at the NCAA Tournament. I had given up on that idea after the Manhattan Massacre...or so I thought. 

Then I wake up today and see this headline from the Post-Dispatch: "Tourney birth for Tigers isn't out of the question." I laughed that headline off, but then as I watched Mizzou trade punches with OSU (who happens to be one of the hottest teams in the country) I started thinking, "Well, if we pull this out and then somehow upset Baylor on the road (which I realize would have been highly unlikely but we're dealing in hypotheticals here) then we play Iowa State at home, which we should win and then we're playing OU in a season finale that could put us on the bubble if we win." 

Then of course Byron Eaton hits a last second shot and now we're probably going to have to win a road game just to have a shot at making the NIT (we've already dropped to the last no. 4 seed according to NIT-ology and that was before tonight).

Despite the disappointing finish I thought this may have been the second best overall performance by the Tigers all season. I thought they played a more complete game tonight than they did when they beat K-State earlier this year. My only complaint would be the team perimeter defense. They allowed OSU to shoot nearly .60% from behind the arc. Several of those were guarded shots by Eaton that weren't in rhythm at all but fell because he's a great shooter. But an even larger number were wide open uncontested looks.

I really can't single out a single Missouri player that played poorly. And Leo Lyons completely WENT OFF. 27 points while hitting 12 of his 13 shots, 18 rebounds three blocks and two assists. I knew he was talented but he has the potential to be a first round NBA draft pick. This is back to back solid performances by Leo. He usually plays well when he gets off to a good start offensively but on Saturday he never really got going and still worked hard on the boards. I don't want to speak to soon, but maybe he's turned the corner? He's really the X-factor for next season because he could easily be an All-Big 12 selection. 

As disappointing as this game's ending was it had to make you feel good about next season.