The ultimate goal all season long for head coach Dennis Gates and his Missouri Tigers was to find a way into the postseason. That goal seemed like a lofty one for his roster, given the disappointment of the 2023-24 season.
The turnaround has been one of the most fascinating stories in college basketball this year, as Gates' coaching and roster improvements became one of the best narratives of the season.
Despite the slow finish to the season and the quarterfinals exit in the SEC Tournament (to the eventual SEC champions, the Florida Gators), Mizzou still earned its spot in the dance, and the committee rewarded with the Tigers with a generous seeding.
MU solidified its impressive season when it was announced on Selection Sunday that they would hold a No. 6 seed in the Western Region of the bracket. The reward: a first-round matchup with the Arch Madness-winning Drake Bulldogs, who enter as an 11-seed. The section also features juggernauts such as St. John's and Texas Tech, with sleepers being Kansas and Arkas
📍 THEY'RE IN.
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) March 16, 2025
No. 6 @MizzouHoops vs. No. 11 Drake
Thurs., March 20 • Wichita (West Region)@MarchMadnessMBB x #ItJustMeansMore pic.twitter.com/XZIz68pHVh
The No. 1 seed in the bracket happens to be none other than the Florida Gators, a team whom the Tigers are now 1-1 against this season. Clearly, it'll be a game that Gates and the rest of the team have circled, should both teams find their way to a matchup in the Elite 8.
Apart from Mizzou and the Gators, Oklahoma and Arkansas also made their way into this section of the bracket, meaning four teams from the SEC will start in this part of the bracket—the most of any conference on that side.
The SEC Conference had an impressive showing, with 14 teams cracking the NCAA Tournament. This broke the all-time record of 11 teams, set by the Big 12 in the 2011-12 campaign. That year, the Tigers went 30-4 and were easily one of the 11 teams to make it. Despite being awarded a No. 2 seed, they were upset in the first round by Norfolk State.
Also appearing in the West Region as a No. 7 seed is Kansas, Mizzou's biggest rival, whom they dethroned from the No. 1 overall rank with a statement win at home over them in December.
Overall, the Tigers are 3-3 against teams in the West Region.
Despite the excitement of ending the tournament drought and doing so with a top-six seeding, MU's opponent is very strong for a No. 11 ranking.
Mizzou will face the 30-3 Drake Bulldogs, who, with a 17-3 conference record, won the Missouri Valley Conference this season. The Bulldogs made quick work of their schedule all year long, handily winning most of their games.
The Tigers will begin game planning for Thursday's matchup with a bit of extra help, as it looks like star forward Mark Mitchell will be ready to go. According to Gates, Mitchell was ready to play on Friday, but the coach didn’t want to risk worsening the injury.
With the game being played in Wichita, Kansas, and Drake's campus located in Iowa, Mizzou holds a slight home-court advantage for this first game. However, that advantage will largely depend on how many fans decide to make the trip up.
Thursday should be an exciting day, as the Round of 64 kicks off March Madness with several must-see games, and No. 6 Mizzou versus No. 11 Drake is undoubtedly one of them.