COLUMBIA, MO. • The Big Blue cloud has parted over Mizzou Arena.
For the first time in 11 tries, Missouri’s basketball team finally overthrew the Southeastern Conference monolith on Saturday, using another suffocating defensive performance to produce what might go down as the first true signature win for Cuonzo Martin: Missouri 69, No. 21 Kentucky 60.
Down to the same final score, the Tigers carried out the same plan that delivered a victory Wednesday at Alabama and has embodied Martin’s best teams throughout his coaching career: relentless defense that contests shots, protects the paint and welcomes contact at all costs.