Mizzou Basketball Stays Alive on the Bubble Thanks to Buzzer-Beater Heroics
Saturday afternoon in Columbia delivered one of those electric moments that can define a season. Missouri men’s basketball pulled off a dramatic 88-87 overtime win over Oklahoma, and it took not one, but two buzzer-beaters to get it done. Freshman Trent Pierce drilled a clutch three at the end of regulation to force OT, and Mark Mitchell followed it up with a game-winning triple at the horn to seal it.
It was the kind of finish that turns heads - and potentially turns the tide for a team fighting for its postseason life.
With the win, Missouri moves to 14-6 overall and 4-3 in SEC play. That’s not a lock by any means, but it’s enough to keep them in the thick of the NCAA Tournament conversation.
According to the latest from The Field of 68, the Tigers are currently the last team in the projected field. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi isn’t quite as optimistic, still listing Mizzou among the “Next Four Out.”
Either way, the Tigers are walking the tightrope.
And it doesn’t get any easier. Next up: a road trip to face No.
23 Alabama. It’s a Quad 1 opportunity - the kind of game that can swing a résumé - but it’s also a tall order, especially with Charles Bediako still eligible and active for the Crimson Tide.
Tip-off has been moved up an hour to 7:00 p.m. CST, so eyes will be on Tuscaloosa tonight.
Super Bowl Bound: Mizzou Football Represented on Both Sides
While hoops is fighting for March, Mizzou Football is already guaranteed a win in February. Drew Lock and the Seahawks are set to face Marcus Bryant and the Patriots in Super Bowl LX, meaning a former Tiger will be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in San Francisco two weeks from now. That’s a proud moment for the program - M-I-Z, indeed.
Chris Graves Jr. Adds Experience to Mizzou’s Secondary
Back on campus, the Tigers are continuing to build out their football roster with a focus on experience. Cornerback Chris Graves Jr., who spent three seasons at Ole Miss, brings exactly that.
In 41 career games, Graves tallied 61 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and seven pass breakups. That kind of production and SEC seasoning is exactly what Missouri needed in the secondary - a unit that’s looking to take a step forward in 2026.
Looking Ahead: What Indiana’s Rise Means for Missouri
There’s been some buzz around Indiana’s 2025 resurgence, and it’s fair to ask - can Missouri follow a similar blueprint? The answer: absolutely, but it’ll take discipline.
Build smart, spend smart, and invest in players and coaches who are committed to the long haul. Give them time, but don’t lower expectations.
That’s the formula. If Indiana can do it, there’s no reason Mizzou can’t.
Special Teams Gets a Boost
One area where Missouri has quietly made moves this offseason is special teams - specifically the punt unit. Over the past few years, punting hasn’t exactly been a strength for the Tigers.
In fact, it’s been a liability more often than not. But with the additions of Shenouda and Reus, that narrative could shift.
Shenouda, in particular, is expected to bring consistency and reliability - two things Mizzou sorely needs in tight SEC battles where field position often tells the story.
Gymnastics Holds Steady After Strong Meet in Tuscaloosa
Mizzou Gymnastics continues to impress. Despite falling to Oklahoma State 33-3 at home in wrestling earlier in the week, the gymnastics team delivered a standout performance in Tuscaloosa.
Eleven routines either set season-bests or tied career highs, and nine of them earned at least one 9.90 from the judges. That kind of consistency and execution has kept Missouri locked in at No. 7 in the Road to Nationals rankings - a testament to the program’s depth and high ceiling.
Photos of the Week Capture the Emotion of an Epic Weekend
It was a weekend packed with emotion, and the photo gallery from Hannah Henderson captured it all - from the wrestling team’s tough home loss to the men’s basketball team’s thrilling OT win. The buzzer-beaters, of course, stole the show, but the images tell the full story of a weekend that highlighted both the grit and glory of Mizzou athletics.
Bottom Line
Mizzou Basketball is still on the bubble, but they’re very much alive - thanks to some late-game magic. Football’s got a Super Bowl representative on each sideline.
Gymnastics is rolling. And the Tigers are building toward something bigger across multiple sports.
There’s a lot to keep an eye on in Columbia right now - and if you’re a Mizzou fan, there’s plenty to be excited about.