KANSAS CITY--I’ve tried to delay coming to this conclusion. I’ve found ways to talk myself out of saying it out loud. But Sunday’s closer than it seemed 93-87 loss to Seton Hall made it crystal clear: It’s time to admit—or at least for me to admit—Missouri just might not be all that good a basketball team this yer.
Coming off a 25-win debut season in which King Midas would have been jealous of Dennis Gates’ ability to turn (perceived) trash into treasure, I’ve spent the last six weeks waiting for the light bulb moment. The game where it comes together. Where the rotations make sense and the ball movement is mesmerizing and the defense is forcing the other team into turnovers at a rate reminiscent of the Washington Generals.
But I’m not sure that moment is coming. At least not for a full game. Not consistently. Don’t get me wrong, there may be a day or two it looks like last year. This team isn’t terrible. It’s just nowhere near the one that took us all on a ridiculous ride last year.
The loss to the Pirates left Mizzou 7-4 on the season. Up Friday is a matchup with Illinois in the Braggin’ Rights game. That game has the ability to turn seasons around and if the Tigers can pull the upset—make no mistake, it will be an upset—perhaps this column will look premature in hindsight.
It’s just hard to see how this Tiger team makes me eat the words I’m writing here.
Missouri’s best quality is that it absolutely never gives up. Its worst quality is that it keeps putting itself in a position to have to fight and claw furiously just to make things interesting. So far this season, Mizzou has:
*Been doubled up 44-22 in the second half by Memphis
*Trailed Minnesota by 20 with 11:25 to play
*Blown a six-point lead to winless Jackson State in the final two-and-a-half minutes
*Given up a 17-0 run to Loyola (MD) in the first half
*Trailed South Carolina State at half
*Trailed Kansas by 18 with 11:29 left
*Trailed by 19 with 5:53 to play on Sunday
