COLUMBIA, MO. • While his players sat still, necks craned, smartphones aimed at the video board hovering from the Mizzou Arena ceiling, Missouri basketball coach Cuonzo Martin calmly watched his team’s name appear on the screen, raised his left arm in victory and cracked a wide smile.
For the first time in five years, the Tigers are in the NCAA Tournament.
“I knew we were in,” said Martin, 20-12 in his debut season at Mizzou. “I didn’t doubt that one bit.”
For the last three seasons, the tournament selection show was a cruel joke for Missouri fans as the program bottomed out under former coach Kim Anderson, winning just nine, 10 and eight games.