Missouri basketball is staring down a harsh reality. Following back-to-back losses to Notre Dame and Kansas, the Tigers now sit 78th in the NET rankings, and ESPN’s latest Bracketology has them among the first four teams out of the NCAA Tournament field. For Tigers fans, the warning lights are flashing red.
Despite an 8-2 record, Missouri’s resume is lacking the kind of marquee wins that impress the selection committee. So far this season, all victories have come against Quad 3 and Quad 4 opponents, and the team has yet to defeat a team ranked higher than 132 in the NET. The upcoming SEC schedule offers 15 potential Quad 1 and 2 games, but the Tigers will likely need to win at least half of them to even sniff an at-large bid.
Head coach Dennis Gates has earned a reputation as one of college basketball’s premier recruiters, assembling a top-five class for 2026, but translating recruiting success into tangible wins on the court has been a work in progress. Last season, Missouri made the NCAA Tournament only to be ousted in the first round by the 11-seed Drake Bulldogs, a bitter reminder of the challenges the program still faces.
The Tigers’ fortunes rest heavily on star Mark Mitchell, who is currently averaging 18.4 points per game, but the team desperately needs more consistent contributions from its supporting cast. Without breakout performances and signature wins, Missouri risks being the bubble team that watches March Madness from home.
With pressure mounting, the Tigers have a chance to turn the narrative around—but it won’t be easy. Every game in the SEC stretch run will be a must-win, and fans will be watching closely as Missouri fights to transform a promising record into a tournament-worthy resume. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the road ahead promises drama, tension, and the potential for a thrilling turnaround—or heartbreak.
