Just in time for their showdown with Kansas, the Tigers rose to 17th in the Associated Press poll, 19th in the USA Today/ESPN poll and 22nd in the RPI rankings.

That is heady stuff for a program that collapsed on Quin Snyder’s watch and struggled mightily in the second year of the Mike Anderson Regime.

By scoring road victories over Texas, Oklahoma State and Iowa State, the Tigers raised the stakes for this clash in Columbia.

Before the season, I wondered if Missouri could earn a NIT berth. Then the near-win over Xavier moved the Tigers toward the NCAA bubble.

The early success in Big 12 play solidified MU’s standings for The Big Dance. And if the Tigers can hold serve on their home court, they will improve their chances at a decent seed.

They have accomplished a lot in a short time. imagine what good a nationally televised victory tonight would do across the board — for fan support, booster spending and recruiting.

Of course, the Jayhawks have plenty at stake as well. This rivalry has produced some extraordinary battles and some unlikely outcomes.

Enjoy the fun!