The anticipation is building as the Missouri Tigers are set to take on the Drake Bulldogs in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 20, 2025. This matchup, taking place at Wichita's INTRUST Bank Arena, promises an exciting clash of styles as the Tigers, a number 6 seed with a record of 22-11, face the 11th-seeded Bulldogs, boasting a remarkable record of 30-3.
Fans from Columbia, Missouri, are buzzing with excitement about the upcoming game, just a four-hour drive from their hometown. There’s no shortage of enthusiasm among the Tiger faithful, eager to support their team as they aim to make an impact in the tournament. Todd McCubbin, Executive Director of the Mizzou Alumni Association, remarked, "People are excited about not only seeing the Tigers be in the tournament, but also being within a good driving distance so they can get there and be a part of the action." As a testament to the growing excitement, students have been buying up Mizzou merchandise in preparation for the big event.
Missouri's path to the tournament this year presents a stark contrast to their previous season, which was marred by disaster as the Tigers went 0-19 in SEC play. This season, after securing a solid conference record of 11-9, they are looking to redeem themselves. Their recent form, however, raises eyebrows after they lost four of their last five games before besting Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament. Despite some inconsistencies, Missouri's offensive capabilities cannot be ignored; they lead the SEC in field goal percentage and are renowned for their high-scoring prowess, averaging 84.5 points per game.
On the other side, the Drake Bulldogs enter the tournament with a solid defensive reputation, allowing just 58.4 points per game—the best in college basketball. Drake's performance includes impressive victories over powerhouses like Vanderbilt and Kansas State earlier in the season. They also make their presence known with a balanced combination of size and experience. However, the Bulldogs’ style of play is methodical, focusing heavily on defense and controlling the pace of the game. This slow approach may work to their advantage against Missouri’s fast-paced tactics.
The stakes are particularly high for Caleb Grill, a guard for Missouri whose family roots run deep in the Wichita area. Grill, previously named the Kansas Male Athlete of the Year during high school, expressed his excitement about playing so close to home, stating, "You know, it's exciting, just because of the amount of miles that my mom and my dad and my brothers have put in and the rest of my family members have put in," emphasizing how special it is for them to catch him play live.
The contrast in styles between these two teams presents an interesting dynamic for the upcoming contest. Missouri's transition offense, ranked among the best in the nation, thrives on creating fast-break opportunities and scoring off turnovers. Conversely, Drake’s defensive strategy seeks to limit such possessions and frustrate opposing teams. Given that Missouri has struggled with turnovers lately, averaging 11.2 in their last five games while conceding 18.4 points off those turnovers, the Bulldogs will look to capitalize on this weakness.
The betting lines reflect Missouri as the favorite, with a 73% implied win probability, while Drake carries underdog status that has not deterred many analysts from considering an upset. As fans gear up for tip-off at 7:35 p.m. EDT, discussions around the game are heating up, with some predicting it to be as close as one possession.
Drake's offense, though slower, effectively transforms defensive plays into scoring opportunities, averaging almost 16 points off turnovers. Their unique ability to control the pace could be a game changer for them as they encounter a Tigers team known for its speed and high-scoring capability. Both teams know that the winner will advance to face either Texas Tech or UNC Wilmington in the second round.
As Missouri prepares to step onto the court, expectations remain high. Grill highlighted the significance of this moment, reflecting, "This is just what everyone dreams about when they play basketball in college. All the hard work you put in since you first got here in June with this team, it's just paid off." Fans and players alike are ready for a thrilling first-round showdown in the NCAA Tournament, and regardless of the outcome, this game promises an entertaining display of college basketball.
