It may have been 0 degrees outside in Columbia, MO, on Wednesday night, but inside a sold-out Mizzou Arena, the atmosphere was scorching as the No. 15 Missouri Tigers took down No. 4 Alabama in a thrilling 110-98 offensive showcase. With a raucous home crowd fueling them, the Tigers put on a clinic in precision and intensity, securing one yet another win over a top 5 team this season.
Missouri was led by a career-best performance from forward Mark Mitchell, who erupted for 31 points, while Caleb Grill, college basketball’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year, contributed 25 off the bench. From the opening tip, the Tigers played with unmatched energy, racing out to a commanding 12-0 lead and keeping Alabama at arm’s length for most of the contest.
What This Win Means Going Forward
This statement victory propels Missouri into a tie for fourth place in the vaunted SEC standings alongside Texas A&M. A team that was picked to finish 13th in the preseason is now firmly entrenched in the top 15 nationally and poised for a strong NCAA tournament seed. The Tigers have shattered expectations and continue to elevate the program’s ceiling under head coach Dennis Gates.
Gates’ coaching performance this season deserves national recognition. Missouri was winless in SEC play last year—let that sink in. Now, the Tigers are thriving against some of the best competition in the country. Given the strength of the SEC this year, Missouri’s turnaround is nothing short of remarkable, making Gates a leading candidate for National Coach of the Year honors.
Next Up
The Tigers now set their sights on a road battle in Fayetteville against Arkansas. The Razorbacks have been competitive but struggle to close out tight games, holding a 4-9 SEC record and facing long odds for an NCAA Tournament bid. Following that, Missouri returns home next Tuesday for what appears to be a highly winnable matchup against South Carolina, a team still searching for its first conference victory.
Momentum is building in Columbia, and if Wednesday night’s performance was any indication, the Tigers are far from finished making noise this season.
