Missouri is officially dancing again

For the first time in five seasons, Missouri will be playing in the NCAA Tournament. Cuonzo Martin’s Tigers were officially just revealed on TBS.

Granted, the last few days haven’t quite provided an enjoyable lead-up to the festivities, between Missouri losing to Georgia in Michael Porter Jr.’s full debut and Jordan Barnett’s DWI arrest.

Still, it’s better to be involved than not involved, right? I thought so.

The selection show is currently broadcasting on TBS, hosted by Ernie Johnson and Greg Gumbel. It is awful, but you can stream the show here.

After the First Four in Dayton on Tuesday and Wednesday, the first and second rounds of the tournament will be played in Boise, Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Nashville, Pittsburgh, San Diego, and Wichita. The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight will then take place in Atlanta (South Regional), Boston (East), Los Angeles (West), and Omaha (Midwest).

Missouri is almost certainly going to be playing in an 8 vs. 9 matchup. Despite the loss to Georgia, the Tigers still enter Selection Sunday a projected 8-seed.

Bracket Matrix

The most likely scenario, then, is that Mizzou draws one of the following teams in the first round: Butler, Creighton, Kansas State, Nevada, Providence, Virginia Tech. If there is some wonky seeding, then the No. 7s and No. 10s above are also in play.

Of that bunch, obviously the Tigers have the most historical ties with K-State, and sure enough, Joe Lunardi’s Sunday morning bracket projection pairs the Tigers and Wildcats in Xavier’s region.

ESPN

The last few days may have cast a pall on the Mizzou universe, but today is a good day all the same. Let’s find out where the Tigers are headed.