When Missouri joined the Southeastern Conference five years ago, the narrative was football would flounder but men’s basketball should thrive.
Conventional wisdom turned on its head as former football coach Gary Pinkel led the Tigers to consecutive SEC East division titles, while basketball took an 8-46 nosedive in the conference during the last three seasons.
“You didn’t anticipate back in 2011 when it was announced and 2012 when Missouri joined that they would not be a consistent top team in men’s basketball,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. “I think that they’ll be back, but it’s not just flipping a switch.