While big wins ultimately make up the meat of an NCAA Tournament resume, it never hurts to have a narrative for garnish.
It’s not like anyone expected Missouri to have much of either before the season. They were largely picked to finish toward the bottom of the SEC with nary a good story in sight. Sure, maybe Jeremiah Tilmon would get over his fouling issues and Dru Smith would prove he could play at a high major level. But after those two, the closest thing you could find to a Tournament-sized narrative was a random, “WiLl CuOnZo MaRtIn LaSt MoRe ThAn ThReE yEaRs At MiZzOU,” headline.