After dropping two-straight games to end the regular season, Missouri followed that up with a heartbreaker against Kentucky in the SEC Tournament. With the loss, Mizzou is now 20-12 overall, and may need to start feeling concerned about their bubble status.
Before the game, ESPN Bracketologist had Missouri as one of his Last Four Bye programs, and firmly in the field. Now, though, Missouri's footing may not be so solid, especially with the stunning loss of a brand new bubble team.
Is Missouri safe despite the disappointing loss to Kentucky in the SEC Tournament?
The Miami (OH) RedHwaks were undefeated until they ran into UMass in the MAC Tournament. The Minutemen dispatched Miami, ending their bid for an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament. With that loss, the RedHawks now become a new team right on the edge of the bubble, and presuming they make it in, will steal away one spot from anther bubble dweller.
The good news for Mizzou, at least in the eyes of most bracketologists, is that their resume still holds up over that of Auburn or Texas, and one of those SEC foes will be much more likely to get bumped. Missouri has five Quad 1 wins that will carry some weight, and a team like Indiana, who might have tried to sneak in, already lost to Northwestern in the Big Ten Tournament.
Ultimately, despite limping into March, the Tigers' bid for an NCAA Tournament is likely safe. However, their losing streak to end the season might have cost them a first round bye, as it seems more possible now that Mizzou might end up as one of the last four teams in the field. Hopefully, Dennis Gates and company can turn things around quickly, or Missouri might be looking at a quick exit and a fourth consecutive loss.