Is MIZZOU Ready for Prime Time?

(Nashville, TN) – Nashville might be the perfect place for Missouri’s basketball team to get its ‘sea legs’ on the national stage. The eight teams visiting Music City are teams lacking national sizzle and that allows the Tigers to fly under the radar in their first visit to the NCAA Tournament in five years.

Xavier is the top-seeded team in the South Region and the number one team playing here at Bridgestone Arena. But are there any national pundits doubting that second seeded (and playing in Charlotte) North Carolina isn’t the favorite in the South? Second seeded (in the East) Cincinnati brings a great rivalry with the Musketeers and some fun back-stories, but those two teams won’t meet here in Nashville. So this pod has a bit of an Ohio-centric feel and in short supply of star power. Unless that star is Mizzou’s Michael Porter Junior.

Un-deserving Texas is here, as is Florida State (Missouri’s opponent). Neither of those teams finished above .500 during conference play. Texas Southern (16-19) a ‘play-in’ winner, Georgia State (24-10) and Nevada (27-7) are not teams with national cache.

So, it is a perfect place for Missouri to regain its March Madness profile. People aren’t paying much attention to this pod, and that works to Mizzou’s advantage. Less pressure, lower level teams will help Cuonzo Martin’s team prosper beyond the bright lights of the ‘Blue Blood’ programs.

I mean no disrespect to the teams that are here, what I am saying is since these are teams with limited reputations, Missouri has a greater chance to flex their Southeastern Conference muscles.

The SEC, with eight teams in ‘the Big Dance’ and two conference teams (LSU and Mississippi) winning National Invitation Tournament games Wednesday, is a conference that is out to make the boast that they are the best of the power 5 leagues. They are currently fourth in the RPI, and all 14 league members rank at 101 or better in the highly respected KenPom.com rankings.

So what about Missouri. With Michael Porter Junior back in the lineup and seven more days of recovery and practice under his belt, the Tigers could be a dangerous team. However, they have to overcome an ACC battle tested Florida State team, coached by Leonard Hamilton who has won seven NCAA games in eight previous trips to the tournament. Their challenge is made more difficult by the suspension of Jordan Barnett (DUI). In fact, Ken Pomeroy picks FSU to win by one point.

Less attention, less sizzle and a short travel distance could be just what the Tigers need to rehab their national resume.

Do Good