Mizzou’s men’s basketball season came to an end on Thursday with a 67-57 loss to Drake in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament in Wichita, falling short of their ultimate goal of reaching the Final Four in San Antonio. After a challenging season last year, where they didn’t win a conference game, the Tigers made a comeback to the tournament, but their struggles in March Madness continued. Mizzou is now 1-7 in the NCAA Tournament over the last 15 years and has not reached the Sweet 16 since 2009.
Drake dominated the first half, limiting Mizzou to just 29 possessions and 23 points, the fewest Missouri had scored in a game this season. Despite forcing 15 turnovers, the Tigers turned the ball over 17 times themselves. Drake capitalized on this with a 23-13 advantage in points off turnovers, a key factor in their win. Drake’s coach, Ben McCollum, credited key defensive stops and forcing turnovers that others may not have expected as crucial to their success. Mizzou’s coach, Dennis Gates, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the Tigers’ failure to capitalize on forced turnovers and corral loose balls.
Mizzou entered the game with a height advantage, but it was Drake who controlled the paint. The Bulldogs won the rebounding battle in the first half 14-12 and outscored Mizzou in the paint 18-10. By the end of the game, Drake had a 31-26 advantage in rebounds. Gates pointed to the turnovers as a major factor in the points-in-the-paint discrepancy, as Drake made the most of Mizzou’s mistakes.
Caleb Grill made his return to his hometown of Wichita in what would be his final college game. The graduate guard scored 14 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win. Grill, along with six other seniors, played their last game for Mizzou. Gates reflected on the importance of the players sticking with the program after a difficult season, sharing an emotional appreciation for their growth and commitment. “I’m proud of their growth,” Gates said, adding that being called “coach” by his players was a lifelong honor.
