One for the road.

The Tigers finally got to enjoy a trip home following a road game after their 76-70 win over Iowa State Saturday.  The Tigers raised their record to 21-6 overall and 7-5 in conference by beating the out manned Cyclones.  However it wasn't easy, as it never has been this year for Mizzou away from the home court.  Marcus Denmon went for 25 points and Laurence Bowers added 16, but it took 4 free throws from Michael Dixon in the last 24 seconds to ice the victory.   Combined with an inexplicable loss at home by Baylor to Texas Tech the Tigers moved into the top 4 of the conference standings, and hopefully a 1st round bye in the tournament in Kansas City.   Following a Wednesday night game at home vs the Bears the Tigers take road trips to Kansas State and Nebraska before closing out the regular season at home against the jayhawks of kansas.

Ricardo Ratliffe pulled down 10 rebounds for Mizzou and is becoming the inside presence that they've lacked since the graduations of Leo Lyons and DeMarre Carroll 2 years ago.  They're still giving up too many open looks and having lots of problems when going up against teams with talented front lines.  But the important thing for the Tigers is getting a good draw for the dance is important.  It's a whole new season when the tournament begins and the Tigers with a few breaks are the kind of team that could get on a roll.  If they're able to hold serve at home and could steal one more road win they could be in line for a top 4 seed if they could win a couple of games in the conference tournament.  Heady thoughts after that conference season opener in Boulder.

kansas and Texas still look to be the class of the league, although both have stumbled the last week, especially the Longhorns yesterday, dropping their first conference game to the Cornhuskers in Lincoln.  I have to admit that I'm pulling for Texas since I just can't stand the thought of the beaks winning their umpteenth consecutive conference title.  I know that sounds petty, and it probably is, but the last couple of football seasons have been pretty rough on them, and well, what's the good of getting someone down if you can't kick them while they're laying there.    Hope things are going well for you and we'll see what the week brings.