Rising Stars Dominate, Underdogs Fall Short in Thrilling Matchup!

We’ve made it to Selection Sunday, and the NCAA Tournament picture is starting to clear up for Missouri men’s basketball after weeks (if not months) of uncertainty. The Tigers are included in 131 of 132 brackets that are part of the Bracket Matrix and are listed as the top 11-seed, on average. There were some questions earlier in the week if bid stealers could make Mizzou’s selection show viewing uncomfortable after three straight MU losses heading into March Madness, but conference tournament results Saturday put those concerns to rest.

The Tigers head into a likely tournament bid at 20-12 overall with a 5-7 record against Quad 1 opponents and 9-12 mark against Quads 1 and 2 combined. MU is ranked No. 40 and 41, respectively, in the crucial strength of record and wins above bubble resume metrics, but is weighed down slightly by its predictive metrics including a No.

51 ranking in KenPom. Those predictive metrics could send Mizzou to the First Four and force it to play its way into the field of 64. The Tigers might have an ace in their hand, though, with three wins in games at the top of Quad 1.

If the committees values these wins highly, it could help MU stand out from other teams around the bubble and gain direct inclusion into the First Round. Took a quick look at Quad 1A (top half of Quad 1) wins for the last 11 teams I have projected in the bracket as of now. As a whole: -13 Q1A wins (Mizzou has 3) -6 wins over top 15 teams (Mizzou has 2) -1 win over top 10 team (Mizzou has 1) — Order On The Court ⚖️ (@DataMizzou) March 13, 2026 That’s certainly something the committee will have to consider, but in this edition of Rock-M-Tology, Mizzou lands in the First Four as the top member of the Last Four In.