Missouri Survives Mississippi State in a Game That Epitomizes a Wild Season
Missouri’s win over Mississippi State on Saturday wasn’t just another notch in the win column-it was a microcosm of everything this season has been for the Tigers: promising, chaotic, and just weird enough to keep you glued to the screen.
With the 81-76 victory, Mizzou moved to 15-7 overall and 5-4 in SEC play. That’s good for ninth in the league standings, and their No.
61 KenPom ranking places them 12th among SEC teams. Not exactly elite company, but here’s the twist: Missouri owns wins over both Florida and Kentucky-two of the stronger teams in the conference.
So while the metrics may not scream contender, the résumé has a few bolded lines.
A Game of Runs-and One Gut-Wrenching Moment
The Tigers came out firing, hitting five of their first six three-point attempts and jumping out to a 10-point lead. But just as quickly as they found their rhythm, it unraveled. A scuffle after the whistle led to a technical foul on Shawn Phillips, and Mississippi State capitalized with a 12-2 run to tie things up.
That sequence felt like the kind of moment that could tilt a game-and maybe even a season. But Missouri didn’t fold.
They regrouped, took a seven-point lead into halftime, and eventually pushed it to 16 in the second half. The crowd was rocking, the momentum was theirs, and then… silence.
Sophomore Annor Boateng, who had just thrown down a thunderous putback dunk to put Missouri up 15, was streaking toward the rim again, ready to deliver another exclamation point. But as he planted, his left leg gave out. He collapsed near the baseline, and suddenly the tone inside Mizzou Arena shifted from celebration to concern.
Boateng was carted off the floor, but not before acknowledging the crowd and his teammates-a moment of grace and gratitude in the middle of heartbreak.
From Cruise Control to Clutch Time
At the time of Boateng’s injury, Missouri led 66-51. In a normal season, that’s the cue for the home team to coast to a comfortable win. But nothing about this year has been normal for the Tigers.
Mississippi State clawed back, and with under a minute to go, the Bulldogs had cut the lead to three. Josh Hubbard went to the line for a one-and-one with a chance to make it a one-point game.
But he missed. Mark Mitchell secured the rebound, got fouled, and calmly knocked down both free throws.
A defensive stop and a few more trips to the line finally gave Missouri the breathing room it needed.
Still, the weirdness wasn’t done.
With the Tigers up eight and the spread sitting at 6.5, Hubbard drove to the rim in the closing seconds. He appeared to travel-gathering midair, double clutching, and landing with the ball-before kicking it out for a corner three that splashed through the net.
No whistle. Just a five-point final margin that left Missouri fans relieved, and some bettors shaking their heads.
Who Is This Missouri Team, Really?
That question has hovered over this program all season. On paper, the roster looks like one that should be competing at the top of the SEC. But the reality has been far more uneven.
They’ve shown flashes-like Boateng’s explosive athleticism that reminds you why he was such a highly touted recruit. But those flashes often come with equally frustrating moments, like turnovers or missed assignments on the very next possession. Their defensive anchor and team captain at point guard has struggled to rediscover the edge that made him so effective just a few weeks ago.
It’s not that Missouri isn’t good. They’re just not consistently good. And in a league as unpredictable as this year’s SEC, consistency is everything.
The Road Ahead
The good news? Missouri has a week off to regroup, recover, and hopefully get healthier.
Next up is a road trip to South Carolina-a game that’s very much within reach. The Gamecocks are 11-11 overall and just 2-7 in conference play.
Win that one, and Missouri’s path to the NCAA Tournament starts to look a little clearer.
They don’t need to become a juggernaut overnight. They just need to be a little better.
A little more consistent. A little more connected.
Because in this version of the SEC, that might just be enough.
Around the SEC
If you’re trying to make sense of the conference standings, good luck. Texas A&M sits atop the SEC at 7-1, while Florida, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, and Kentucky are all jostling for position behind them.
Kentucky, for example, got blown out by Vanderbilt but then bounced back to beat Arkansas on the road. It’s been that kind of year.
Here’s where things stand:
SEC Standings:
- Texas A&M: 7-1
- Florida: 6-2
- Vanderbilt: 6-3
- Arkansas: 6-3
- Kentucky: 6-3
- Tennessee: 5-3
- Alabama: 4-3
- Missouri: 5-4
- Auburn: 5-4
- Texas: 4-5
- Georgia: 4-5
- Ole Miss: 3-5
- Mississippi State: 3-6
- LSU: 2-7
- South Carolina: 2-7
- Oklahoma: 1-8
Saturday’s SEC Scores:
- Kentucky 85, Arkansas 77
- Vanderbilt 71, Ole Miss 68
- LSU 92, South Carolina 87
- Texas A&M 92, Georgia 77
- Texas 79, Oklahoma 69
- Tennessee 77, Auburn 69
There’s still a lot of basketball to be played, and in a season like this, nothing is off the table. Missouri may not be who they-or their fans-thought they’d be.
But they’re still in the fight. And in this league, that’s saying something.