Tuesday’s visit to Vanderbilt was supposed to be the start of Missouri’s manageable stretch of the Southeastern Conference schedule. The Tigers had won four straight over the Commodores, including three straight in Nashville. From there, they’d play four of their next five at home. If Mizzou was ever going to climb into the gooey middle of the top-heavy SEC standings, it would have to start Tuesday.
It did not.
The Tigers spoiled a strong defensive start at Memorial Gymnasium by missing their first 16 3-point attempts, but they rediscovered too little offense too late in a 70-62 loss.