When Mizzou took on Miami, fans might have felt a sense of déjà vu. It was a tough outing reminiscent of their clash with Kentucky, where a late-game lead slipped through their fingers.
The difference this time? The unraveling came even later, leaving little time for a comeback.
Against Kentucky, Mizzou found themselves ahead with just over two minutes left, only to watch the Wildcats pull away. In the Miami game, Mark Mitchell’s clutch three-pointer put Missouri up by two with 7:50 remaining. But then Miami unleashed an 11-0 run, and despite Mizzou’s efforts to claw back, the Hurricanes sealed the deal with a 23-8 surge over six minutes.
So, what went wrong for Mizzou? In simple terms, they just didn’t execute.
The effort was there, but the shots weren’t falling. Missouri shot a dismal 31% in the first half and only managed four free throws.
The second half saw a slight improvement to 39.3%, bolstered by six three-pointers, but the lack of two-point field goals-just 10-tied their season low.
The game mirrored Mizzou’s season-long struggles. They started slow, found a rhythm in the second half, but couldn’t sustain it.
On the bright side, they took care of the ball, minimizing turnovers despite Miami’s pressure. However, rebounding was a different story.
Miami’s 19 second-chance points highlighted a glaring issue. Mizzou, usually strong on the offensive boards, was outmatched, and that disparity proved costly.
Individually, Jayden Stone shone with 21 points, though his plus-minus of -22 might raise eyebrows. It’s a quirky stat that doesn’t tell the whole story-Stone was solid.
Anthony Robinson II played well too, but his low usage rate showed he wasn’t the go-to guy. Mark Mitchell, in what turned out to be his last game, was a marked man by Miami’s defense, and his teammates couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities he created.
T.O. Barrett had a rough night, playing just 15 minutes in a physical game that seemed suited for his style.
Meanwhile, Trent Pierce, Barrett, and Jacob Crews combined for a rough shooting night, going 2-for-22 and scoring only seven points. That kind of performance makes winning a tall order.
Despite the disappointing finish, Mizzou’s season had its moments. Coach Gates has job security, even as fans might feel frustrated.
The team’s flaws were apparent, but making it to the tournament was an achievement in itself. Gates has his work cut out for him in the offseason, but with promising recruits like Jason Crowe, there’s hope for a deeper tournament run next year.
The goal? Not just to make it, but to make some noise once they’re there.