Mizzou’s Dream Dies Hard
The magical Missouri run ended Saturday in Glendale, Ariz.
Mizzou played Connecticut hard and smart in their regional final. The Tigers gave themselves a chance to win, doing what they had to do against the huge and physical Huskies.
But, in the end, the Tigers just couldn’t make enough shots to win.
The Huskies used their size advantage to control the boards and beat the Tigers 82-75. As expected, they dominated the Tigers in the paint.
The Tigers got to the free-throw line just 12 times and made just six of them. U-Conn, by contrast, made 26 of 32 from the line.
Despite that, Missouri could have knocked off the Huskies IF it shot the ball like it did against Memphis.
But the Tigers didn’t — and that made all the difference.
The Tigers forced turnovers, including 11 in the first half. they battled back from an early 13-2 deficit to lead briefly in the second half.
They worked the ball on offense, getting easy baskets inside and good looks outside.
They just couldn’t get enough shots to fall.
From three-point range, they missed 13 of 18 shots. Tigers other than Matt Lawrence were two of 11 from beyond the arc.
The Tigers shot just 42 percent from the floor and less than 28 percent from three-point range.
On the plus side, returning Tigers like Justin Safford and Keith Ramsey (17 points between them) competed well against the Huskies and gave Mizzou fans hope that the Tigers could be right back in the tournament next year.
This team never buckled Saturday. It never lost its poise. But a miss here, a miss there and Missouri’s Final Four dream slipped away.
Thank you, Tigers, for a great season and reminding us how to play the game.
Yes Tigers it was awesome…can’t wait for the editorials though….U-Conn is very tough, but with 1:40 to go Anderson has timeouts like crazy and cannot get a shot off and has every scorer on the bench? Coach! Use your time outs, run a play. You’re only down by 3? What the heck was that?
Thanks for a fantastic season and and exciting playoffs. Want to do it again next year. Great coach and great players!!
Thanks for a great year!
Sometimes it just isn’t fair with how things end but we know you did one great job.
This team and the seniors we will be loosing have been one great team !
Sorry to see you go …please keep a special place in your hearts for Mizzou and your fans
Thanks again Team and Coach A… M I Z …. Z O U !
Great job, Mizzou. Fantastic run and it was fun to watch all of you. You gave UConn everything that you had and came as close as anyone this year. Thanks to the players and the coaches for making us all proud to be Tigers! MIZ…ZOU!
I think Missouri had a tremendous year in spite of the fact that they did not win today’s game against UConn. Their offense betrayed them today, but their defensive tenacity, their intensity of play, and their passing kept them in the game. The good news is, they never quit, which says something special about the Missouri program and Coach Anderson. One negative comment about big time college basketball in general - it is becoming too much like the NBA which caters to great athletes at the expense of the game of basketball. Failure to stop physical play (basketball is much better with less physical play), failure to call “walking violations”, and the trend against offensive sets are all killing the college game. Small teams can’t compete with the large, physical players at the best schools. Something wonderful is dying about the game; sad.
This season really took me back to my junior year when we swept the Big 8, with great play and exciting games. Thanks for the season, guys!
Only 1 team can leave the tournament on a win; I’m just sorry it wasn’t us. I can’t wait to see what Tiller, Swafford, et al bring back to the team next year.
Yeah, a GREAT season! We’ve really got something to look forward to. Generally,I agree w/Geever but I like the physical play. Mizzou does it in a great team way. I never watch the NBA, but I love college basketball.
What a great year. I have never been so proud of a college program as this team. What a great coach and team. Hey I don’t know if we broke any NCAA rules but I know UCONN has, great job keep your heads up MIZZOU. I hope Anderson stays, Pinkel and him are what this university needs.
would’ve been nice to get to the final 4, but heck of a season. and, with bama hiring vcu’s coach…here’s to anderson staying around and to many seasons of fun to watch, successful mizzou hoops…thanks, tigers!
Thank you Mizzou, you proved to us how much fight you have in you. Gonna be tough losing the seniors but thank you!
From a KU fan………..congtras to Mizzou on a great season. I was hoping that the Jayhawks & Tigers could have met in the semi’s. How cool would that have been?
Make sure to wrap up Anderson with a nice, long, lucrative contract
This Tiger team showed team work, aggression, heart and soul. This was a seaon that they can be very proud of. Many of the shots just didn’t fall and one thing they MUST work on are the free throws.
This year is a stepping stone for next; and if Mike Alden and the rest of the University wants to keep this program alive and well, you better buck up and sign Mike Anderson…………………….please!!!!!
Get some rest Tigers you deserve it………..Thanks for a GREAT, EXCITING…….season!!!!!
What a great season! Thank you Missouri Tigers!
Great season, but what a lost opportunity!!!!! After pulling within 1 point with about 3 minutes left, why did the starters sit on the bench for the final run, until it was over at 1:00 left to go?????
The reserves made a nice run late in the second half and got it basically even with 3 minutes left. Seems to me that is what you want from them and then you go to your “money team” who are rested for the final 3 minute run………
Anderson is a good coach and the Tigers made a great run. I’m just really confused about the 3:00 – 1:00 player allocation when the game was on the line, and then the ending…………..Seems like the coach, over-thought it that critical last 3 minutes……………………
Let’s have no negative comments today … let’s just appreciate where these guys took us this year.
WOW!
And … now I can’t wait ’til next year!