The 80-64 loss to Oklahoma was completely unexpected, and has Missouri once again in an uncomfortable spot.
The Tigers had been playing great basketball as winners of three of their last four, and Mizzou had finally gotten off the NCAA Tournament bubble. But after last night, ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi promptly put the Tigers right back on it as one of the Last Four Bye teams. So should we be worried about Arkansas even more?
Missouri made things slight more complicated for themselves after the loss to Oklahoma
While the Tigers took a stumble against the Sooners, many of the other bubble teams have had their fair share of struggles lately as well. At this point in the season, there won't be too many teams on the outside looking in who are able to make a last second push.
Take a look at Lunardi's first teams out. Indiana, for example has lost four-straight, while Auburn has lost seven of their last nine. So there aren't really too many teams who have played themselves into a position to steal away Missouri's spot. Had some teams been flying up the bubble with win after win, maybe Missouri would have some concern, but their spot is virtually a lock.
Still, a loss against the Razorbacks likely won't bump Mizzou from the Big Dance, but it could easily put them into a play-in game. Currently, the Tigers would probably get a 10-seed and a bye, but a loss adds some significant doubt they could maintain that.
Turnovers, bad shooting and a generally poor effort all around doomed Missouri against Oklahoma. Hopefully it served as a wake-up call, and the Tigers come out with some juice against Arkansas. Because although their spot in the tournament isn't in jeopardy, it's definitely not ideal to enter the SEC Tournament fresh off back-to-back losses.