QUESTION: After seeing Saturday’s big win over Kansas, do you think this Mizzou team has what it takes to hold on and earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament?

VAHE GREGORIAN

This team sure seems to have what it takes, but part of what it takes is an x-factor we can’t know yet: the ability to finish the season strong – another challenge for a team with a seven-man rotation. This team has plowed through every other supposed liability, so I won’t  be surprised if this is no obstacle either, but it’s still waiting to be cleared.

BRYAN BURWELL

There are many things I have come to enjoy about this Mizzou basketball team, but the one that is really starting to stick out is how hellbent they are on creating a cultural shift in MU hoops.

That’s the way you think and the way they do, too.

So that is why winning tonight is a must to prove that Saturday’s exciting victory was no fluke, no emotional upset whose magic had a 24-hour shelf life.

Kim English reminded everyone on Saturday that they are on a quest, and slipping up on the road against OU shouldn’t derail the quest. But I think they will be good enough in Norman to win

TOM TIMMERMANN

I don’t think this game swung my opinion fully into the Mizzou No. 1 seed camp. They still have games to go with Baylor and at Kansas, and if they lose one or both of those, it’s a whole nother picture. Yes, they beat Kansas on Saturday, but it wouldn’t have taken very much for that game to swing the other way – say, no offensive foul on KU? – which it very well could do in Lawrence. While the game was big for Mizzou to be in position for a No. 1 seed, I’m by no means sold. No. 1 seeds are pretty precioius commodities. Two losses gets you one. Four or five losses doesn’t. I’m not positive that Mizzou won’t finish with four or five losses.

JEFF GORDON

The Tigers are walking the tightrope with their seven-man rotation. They will rack up some more Big 12 victories, but I don’t like their chances at Kansas. Can they avoid another road stumble against a conference also-ran? And how will they fare in the league tourney? Their are many hurdles left. On the plus side, if Marcus Denmon is back to his pre-slump self, his long-range shooting would make this team appreciably better.

STU DURANDO

The Tigers confirmed what most observers already knew. They are definitely in a small mix for a No. 1 seed. Kentucky and Syracuse are likely to get two of the top spots so it will be a matter of who survives down the stretch for the remaining spots and Mizzou has the inside track by a slim margin. The rematch at Kansas will obviously be critical.

RICK HUMMEL

I think the Tigers are a solid No. 2 seed but I do not think they are better than Syracuse, Kentucky, Ohio State and North Carolina. The last No. 1 probably will come down to UNC and Mizzou. The Tigers will have to win the Big 12 and North Carolina not win the ACC for the Tigers to get that last top seed.

DERRICK GOOLD

Boy, I’d like to see what happens in Lawrence before answering this. Wouldn’t we all? Mizzou has fearlessness that is entertaining to watch and talent that is capable of those late, overwhelming runs we saw in the final minutes of Saturday’s game. The way they opened the second half and other times this season (i.e., Texas) when they’ve lost their crispness, lost their edge and quickly lost a lead (or a game) gives me pause. They have the record of a No. 1 seed. They have potential to be a No. 1 seed. They just need to be more consistently great to hold onto that No. 1 seed. You know, kind of like they’re going to have to be to win at Phog Allen with the Big 12 title at stake.