It’s official!

All 68 teams competing in this year’s NCAA Tournament will be participating with no contingency plans, according to the Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt.

Of course, one of those 68 teams is Mizzou (as a nine seed.......bleh) who will tip-off vs No. 8 Oklahoma at 6:25 pm. CT on Saturday night (TNT for TV) at Lucas Oil Stadium.

And guess what? Missouri has the only player in this NCAA Tournament with 1,000+ career points, 400+ career assists and 180+ career steals. That would be DRUUUUU!

He’s obviously going to be relied on heavily if Mizzou is going to win their first NCAA Tournament game since 2010.

But, the biggest news that dropped on Wednesday concerning the Missouri-Oklahoma game is that Oklahoma’s second-leading scorer De’Vion Harmon has been ruled out due to testing positive COVID test.

Harmon is a sophomore guard who started 23 of Oklahoma’s 25 games this season, averaging 12.9 points, 2.0 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game. It’s a brutal blow for Oklahoma and an unfortunate situation for this game. Here’s hoping everything else is okay involved with the Sooners.

Jon Rothstein mentions that Oklahoma is 5-2 in seven games this season without key contributors in their lineup.

And here is some positive news that seems like things are heading in the right direction (COVID-wise). Mizzou Athletics announced last night that there will be full capacity available for Mizzou Football’s seven home games at Faurot Field this upcoming season. For a team that has a manageable schedule in the first half of the season, this is certainly a welcome development as Eli Drinkwitz looks to capitalize on the momentum. Here’s a full statement, from MizzouAthletics Twitter:

Also, if you haven’t yet, be sure to join the 2021 Rock M Nation’s Bracket Challenge on ESPN!

Onto the links!

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Yesterday at Rock M

• From Brandon Kiley: How does the NFL view Mizzou’s draft-eligible players?
• Sam Snelling nails it here: How the NCAA Selection Committee is using analytics incorrectly
• PODCAST: Spring Football is Almost Over, with Nate Edwards and Brandon Kiley. Give it a listen!

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More Links:

(PowerMizzou)

• In his latest notebook, Mitchell Forde writes that newcomer Benjamin Key looking to carve out role on D-Line
• ($$) Here’s the latest edition of Gabe DeArmond’s Macadoodles Mailbag
• Lots of video coverage up: Get to know Jay Maclin, Ben Key (from Gabe DeArmond): Martin, Dru Smith preview NCAA Tournament (from Mitchell Forde), and Kruger, Austin Reaves preview NCAA Tournament (from Gabe DeArmond)
• Gabe DeArmond and Mitchell Forde bring you the latest episode of The 573 Report

(STLToday)

• Sooners second-leading scorer ruled out for NCAA opener vs. Mizzou, writes Dave Matter
• From Dave Matter: Dru Smith, Mizzou’s ‘old-school’ Hoosier State hero, delivers Tigers back to NCAA Tournament

(KC Star)

• Mizzou Tigers look to break NCAA losing streak in tournament’s strangest environment, writes Blair Kerkhoff
• From Blair Kerkhoff: Oklahoma’s second-leading scorer to miss game vs Mizzou in men’s NCAA Tournament

(Columbia Missourian)

• Video from Joel Lorenzi: Missourian breaks down Sooners’ strengths, weaknesses ahead of clash with Tigers
• Oklahoma’s Harmon out Saturday due to COVID-19, writes Joel Lorenzi
• From Wilson Moore, MU to allow full Faurot Field capacity for 2021 season

(Columbia Daily Tribune)

• Mizzou hoops embracing Indianapolis bubble, writes Eric Blum

(Miscellaneous/Tweets)

• A good listen here....Sam Snelling and Jarrett Sutton joined The Chris Hrabe Show on Scoops With Danny Mac to discuss Mizzou’s seed, the match up with Oklahoma, and other NCAA Tournament topics (editor’s note: it was wonderful)
• On The Big 550 KTRS, Brendan Wiese had an NCAA Tournament Preview Show
• From Grace Taylor on KOMU Sports, Mizzou senior swimmer Sarah Thompson looks for redemption at the NCAAs
• On MUTigers.com, Mizzou Swimming and Diving Set for NCAA Championships
• On MUTigers.com, Mizzou Wrestling Heads to NCAA Championships
• The NCAA Wrestling Championships start today in St. Louis at the Enterprise Center! Tiger Style is ready!

• From Colin O’Brien on The News Tribune, MU Football hosting open practice; facility nears funding goal
• All of a sudden, Mizzou Baseball has won four out of their last five heading into SEC play. Tigers have their SEC opener series this weekend at Kentucky.

• Getting ready for Saturday night!

• Wallpaper Wednesday featuring Sophie Cunningham.....The Mayor of Missouri!

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