Mizzou Basketball

Official Sports Report for March 13, 2008

Tigers' March Begins Tonight In KC
Commentary Exclusive for Mizzou OSR
by Todd Donoho
Columbia, MO - The Tigers' march to San Antonio and the Final Four begins today in Kansas City.  Well, it does!  You gotta believe.  That's why I love this time of year.  What is logical, what should happen, seldom does.  That's what college basketball tournament time is all about.

Now as I come back down to earth, I realize the uphill battle the Tigers have in just getting to a weekend game in Kansas City.  No team has won four games in four days to win the Big 12 Tournament.  And make no mistake about it, nothing short of four wins in the next four days will get Mizzou to the NCAA Tournament.

I like their chances against Nebraska tonight.  The Tigers split their two games with the Huskers this season.  Mizzou lost at home when it played with only six scholarship players following curfew violations and subsequent suspensions of five players.  The Tigers then went to Lincoln and beat Nebraska in overtime.

This is the fifth time Mizzou has played Nebraska in the Big 12 Tournament  The Tigers are 3-and-1 against the Huskers in Big 12 tourney play.  Mizzou matches up well against Nebraska except in one area -- one big area.  Aleks Maric.  In the past, the Cornhuskers' big center has had his way with the smaller Tiger defenders.

But, the Tigers now have a more physical Leo Lyons who did not play in the first game against Nebraska.  I'll be interested in seeing how Leo battles Maric tonight.  Also, DeMarre Carroll is playing much better on his injured ankle.  Two weeks ago, associate head coach Melvin Watkins told me Carroll was playing at about 75%.  Since then, he has scored 61 points in two-and-a-half games.

It's not Nebraska that causes Tiger fans to write-off the Big 12 Tournament.  It's the potential second round game against Kansas.  If Mizzou beats Nebraska, they will then have to take on the well-rested and very talented Jayhawks.  Kansas will have six days off when they play tomorrow.  The Tigers lost a close game to Kansas at Mizzou Arena, and were blown out by KU at Allen Field House.

I'm getting ahead of myself, but what the heck.  If Mizzou were to upset Kansas, they would then likely play Kansas State on Saturday.  Mizzou beat Kansas State in Columbia and lost in Manhattan.

And, if the Tigers were to get to the championship game on Sunday, they would likely take on Texas.  Mizzou beat the Longhorns in the only game the two teams played this season.

Now it's reality check time.  Kansas not only beat Mizzou in Lawrence, they played volleyball against us.  Those aren't my words, those are assistant coach Matt Zimmerman's words.  The taller Jayhawks controlled the boards and had numerous tip-ins.

To play four games in four days, you have to have a deep, well-conditioned, healthy team.  The Tigers are well-conditioned, but they are not deep, and considering Carroll's inured ankle, they are not healthy.  If Carroll's ankle swells up after one game, it might be the size of a pumpkin if the Tigers were to advance to Saturday and Sunday's games.

But, here's how it happens.  Leo Lyons is the new, more physical Leo Lyons and he carries the Tigers.  DeMarre Carroll plays like he has the last two-and-a-half games, stays out of foul trouble, and overcomes his bum ankle.

And, most importantly, the Tigers shoot lights out for four games.  Sometimes all it takes is a hot shooting team to pull off the upset.

What are the chances of all this happening?  Probably less than the Democrats finding an orderly process to choose their presidential nominee.

That's why it's fun to watch.