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 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!