Missouri and Mississippi State entered the Southeastern Conference tournament in Nashville looking to boost their standing with the NCAA Tournament selection committee. The journey continues as the seventh-seeded Tigers (21-10) are set to face the 10th-seeded Bulldogs (21-11) in the SEC tournament’s second round on Thursday evening. Missouri, ranked No. 21, aimed for a top-four seed in both the SEC tourney and the NCAA field earlier in the season but suffered setbacks by dropping four of their last five games in the league schedule.
Head coach Dennis Gates expressed disappointment in the missed opportunities for his team to secure a higher position in the standings, acknowledging that certain necessary developments did not materialize. Despite the recent struggles, Missouri showcased strong defense earlier in the season, forcing turnovers and operating effective zone defenses. However, in the four recent losses, they struggled defensively, allowing an average of 94 points per game.
Forward Mark Mitchell leads the Tigers in scoring with an average of 14.3 points per game and remains optimistic about the team’s potential. Coach Gates expanded the playing rotation throughout the season to manage fatigue, with only a few players averaging significant minutes. Despite the challenges, Gates emphasized that the team remains focused and determined to improve.
Missouri previously dominated Mississippi State with a convincing 88-61 victory in February, with standout performances from Caleb Grill and Tamar Bates. Grill averages 14.2 points per game, and Bates adds 12.9 points on average. Mississippi State, led by Josh Hubbard and KeShawn Murphy, seeks redemption after the earlier defeat and aims to return to their winning ways.
Head coach Chris Jans outlined a straightforward objective for Mississippi State in Nashville: win games. The Bulldogs made a statement with a commanding 91-62 victory over LSU in the opening round, fueled by Hubbard’s 26-point performance. Jans emphasized the importance of defense and playing their brand of basketball to achieve success in the tournament.
Both teams are determined to make a strong showing in the SEC tournament and enhance their postseason prospects as they continue their journey in Nashville.
