Missouri basketball. Disappointing season or ready for a run?

I don't think that anyone, regardless of how big a homer they are can say the basketball season hasn't been something of a disappointment so far this year.   Picked in the pre season top 10, the Tigers have struggled away from Mizzou arena currently sitting at 19-6 and 5-5 in the Big XII conference without a single conference win coming away from the "Dutch Oven".   However, one thing we've seen from Mike Anderson's teams, unlike previous coach Quin Snyder is the teams actually seem to get better as the season goes along.  It's going to be critical for the Tigers to hit their stride as the season wears down.  Unlike others, I think Mizzou is pretty much a lock for the NCAA tournament, barring a complete meltdown.  But the better the record the higher the seed they can get at the dance.  Another thing we've come to expect is how difficult it is for teams to prepare for their style when it's just something they don't see much of during the regular season.  That seems to be especially true on the 2nd game of the weekend when their opponents may be a little tired from the earlier match up.

Everyone needs to step up, but our guard play has been giving up too many open looks, especially from outside the perimeter.  We didn't realize how hard it was going to be to replace guys like JT Tiller and Zaire Taylor and their defense.  Fortunately, with guys like Mike Dixon, Marcus Denmon, the brothers Pressey and Kim English, there's plenty of talent.  Laurence Bowers seems to be regaining confidence since his concussion and is certainly needed to help Ricardo Ratliff some help down low.  It would have been great to have had Tony Mitchell to this group, but the NCAA, in it's usual efficient manner, held off making a decision until the start of the second semester, virtually stalling his attempt to make it to college.  He fortunately was able to sign with North Texas.  I wish him well.

The schedule plays out pretty well for Mizzou going down the stretch.  Texas Tech comes to town Tuesday night.  The remaining road schedule, while certainly couldn't be called easy, does ease up a bit with trips to Iowa State, K State and Nebraska.  Steal a couple of these game and hold serve at home, which won't be easy with kansas still coming to town, and they have an excellent chance of a first day bye at the Big XII tournament being held at the Sprint Center in Kansas City again this year.  Win at least a game there and you should be looking at a top 4 or 5 seed and a favorable destination the opening weekend of the tournament.  But it all starts this week when the Red Raiders come to town.  If you can make it, I urge you to come out and watch them tonight.  There's only two more chances after tonight to watch them before next November.  And once again, if you're a Tigers fan, I urge you to take a look at the book featured below.  "True Sons: A Century of Missouri Tigers Basketball".  It's just excellent.