Mizzou Falls Short in Tuscaloosa, Faces Another Gut-Check Moment
Missouri walked into Tuscaloosa with a chance to flip the narrative. Instead, they walked out with more questions than answers.
Facing No. 23 Alabama on the road, the Tigers were overwhelmed from the jump.
The buzz leading into the game centered around the unexpected return of Alabama big man Charles Bediako - a G League player just a week ago, now suddenly back in college hoops under a cloud of legal drama and NCAA red tape. His presence added fuel to an already difficult matchup, and Mizzou simply couldn’t keep pace.
For head coach Dennis Gates, this one stings - not just because of the scoreboard, but because of what it suggests about where his team stands. It had shades of the earlier loss to Illinois: a physically and emotionally draining game that left the Tigers looking like a team searching for answers.
That Illinois loss was followed by a pair of statement wins that reignited their postseason hopes. The question now is, can Mizzou dig deep and do it again?
Bubble Watch: Tigers Still on the Outside Looking In
According to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, Missouri remains in the “Next Four Out” category - which is exactly where you don’t want to be heading into February. A win against Alabama could’ve been a resume-changer. Instead, it’s another missed opportunity in a season that’s starting to feel like it’s running out of runway.
The Tigers’ conference record projection isn’t doing them any favors, either. KenPom currently pegs Missouri to finish 8-10 in SEC play - a mark that puts them squarely on the bubble, if not slightly below it. The path to the NCAA Tournament is still there, but it’s narrow, and the margin for error is shrinking fast.
Shooting Woes and French Fry Fiascos
It’s hard to win on the road in the SEC - especially when you shoot 34.8% from the free throw line. That’s not a typo.
Missouri left a staggering number of points at the charity stripe, their worst performance from the line in conference play this season. To add insult to injury, Alabama fans were rewarded with free french fries thanks to the Tigers’ misses.
That about sums up the night.
Free throw shooting has been a recurring issue for Mizzou, but this game took it to another level. In tight games - and in March - those missed freebies often spell the difference between dancing and watching from home.
Transfer Portal Reload: Tigers Building Through the Trenches
While the basketball team is fighting for its postseason life, the football program is quietly stacking pieces for next season. The wide receiver room, once a glaring hole, is starting to look like a strength.
The addition of Lee - a proven playmaker - gives the Tigers a legitimate weapon alongside Donovan Olugbode and Brett Norflett. Talents like Naushaun Montgomery, Caleb Goodie, and Kenric Lanier II bring upside, but Lee brings something else: readiness.
He’s expected to contribute right away, and that’s exactly what Missouri needs.
Up front, the Tigers are also getting stronger. The addition of Owens on the offensive line could be a game-changer.
While predicting immediate impact for linemen is always tricky - just ask Johnny Williams IV - it’s hard to imagine Owens leaving a starting role at Mississippi State without confidence he’d be in the mix immediately in Columbia. Expect to see him early as the line takes shape.
Still, with key departures from last year’s offense, the pressure is on. The pieces are coming together, but the Tigers will need to prove they can gel quickly.
Looking Ahead
Mizzou basketball is at a crossroads. The loss to Alabama was more than just another L - it was a reminder of how unforgiving the SEC can be and how quickly a season can slip away.
But this team has bounced back before. With the conference schedule heating up and the bubble picture coming into focus, the Tigers need to regroup - and fast.
There’s still time, but not much. Every game from here on out is a must-win or close to it. If Missouri wants to be dancing in March, the comeback has to start now.