Missouri basketball coach Dennis Gates achieved the improbable in 2022: His Tigers finished this calendar year as an NCAA Tournament-worthy team.
If the Big Dance started this weekend, the Tigers would hold their ticket. Between now and March Madness, they will have a chance to earn that precious invite.
Mizzou ranks among the country’s most surprising teams.
The Southeastern Conference preseason media poll predicted an 11th-place finish for the Tigers in Gates’ first season. So when they steamrolled Illinois 93-71 and boat-raced Kentucky 89-75 in consecutive upsets of nationally-ranked teams, the industry took note of what he’s doing.