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MU's top NCAA tourney performance?
Posted on: March 21, 2019 at 12:08:52 CT
FIJItiger MU
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As for mine, I would say our top 10 NCAA tourney performances would be:
#10
1995 – MU vs UCLA (second round)
UCLA was the overall #1 seed, featured National Player of the Year Ed O’Bannon, and was the storied program’s best team since the 1970’s. MU used deadeye long range shooting to take a 42-34 halftime lead. When UCLA went on a 15-0 run to take the lead, MU refused to fold. O’liney/Grimm/Sutherland combined to make 12 of 19 three pointers on the day and with 4 minutes to play MU was shooting 41% from 2 and 69% from behind the arc. MU climbed back to a 73-72 deficit with the ball in the final minute. Julian Winfield converted with only 4.8 seconds remaining in what might have been the biggest basket in MU history had the next play which lives in infamy not developed into a miraculous sprint down court and buzzer beater that allowed UCLA to advance 75-74 and eventually claim the National Title.
#9
2002 – MU vs UCLA (Regional Semi-Final)
MU was facing the Bruins for the first time since being knocked out of the 1995 tournament by them on a buzzer beater. The Tigers even featured a point guard who played for the same high school and coach as Tyus Edney in Wesley Stokes. Both programs had been ranked in the top 3 nationally at one point in the season but entered the final poll unranked. It was the 5th time in 6 seasons under Steve Lavin that UCLA had made the Regional Semi-final. Tiger Clarence Gilbert would dislocate his finger early, but play through pain to score 17 second half points on his way to a team leading 23. UCLA would lead for most of the game, and held a 57-54 advantage with 10 minutes remaining when MU went on a 19-6 run to put the game away. The Tigers won 82-73 to become the first 12 seed to advance to the Elite Eight since the field expanded to 64 teams.
#8
2003 – MU vs Marquette (second round)
The 3rd seeded Golden Eagles featured the dynamic backcourt of Travis Diener and Dwayne Wade, and they took a 10 point halftime lead against MU. MU would fight back in the second half on the strength of 3 monumental performances (while every other Tiger gave almost nothing). Josh Kronke had perhaps his best game scoring 14 points on 4 of 6 shooting behind the arc. AJ scored 28 points and grabbed 18 rebounds. And Paulding was the best of them all, including future NBA star Wade, in scoring 36 points and connecting on 9 three pointers. MU rallied back to tie the game at 80 and send it to overtime. However, MU was ambushed in the extra period by future NBA’er Steve Novak who came off the bench from then obscurity to hit three 3 pointers and Marquette didn’t miss a shot the entire overtime period on the way to a 101-92 win and eventual Final Four appearance.
#7
1994 – MU vs Syracuse (Regional Semi-Final)
Against 4th seeded ‘Cuse, #1 seed MU controlled the game for the first half and led by 11 with under 5 minutes to play. But a huge second half by Adrian Autry, who scored 31 points after halftime, brought the Orangemen back and sent the game to overtime. Melvin Booker led MU to victory as he had done all season, and led the Tigers with 24, as MU won 98-88 in overtime to advance to the Elite Eight.
#6
1982 – MU vs Houston (Regional Semi-Final)
Somewhat unknown at the point the match up occurred, Houston would famously become referred to as Phi Slamma Jamma featuring the likes of Rob Williams, Clyde Drexler, and Akeem Alajuwon. MU had claimed the program’s first ever number 1 ranking that season and featured 3 All American’s in Stipo/Sundvold/Frazier. MU would be ambushed by Houston’s superior athleticism and the Cougars would take a 10 point lead with 5:30 to play. Rickey Frazier was the only Tiger who could match Houston’s athleticism, and despite making no field goals in the first half, Frazier would carry the Tigers back with 25 second half points and a career high 29 for the game. But MU was not able to overcome 18 turnovers and 13 missed free throws and they lost 79-78 to the eventual Final Four Cougars.
#5
2002 – MU vs Ohio State (second round)
MU matched up with the 4th seeded Buckeyes and absolutely dominated them from start to finish. The Tigers jumped out to a 47-26 halftime lead, Paulding threw down two highlight reel dunks, MU controlled the boards 52 to 28, and ultimately won 83-67 in a final score that looks much closer than it was. MU would go on to become the first 12 seed to ever make the Elite Eight.
#4
1994 – MU vs Wisconsin (second round)
Wisconsin featured talented center Rashard Griffin and future NBA star Micheal Finley, and the Tigers were MU’s only #1 seed after sweeping the Big 8 a perfect 14-0. Marlo Finner would take Griffin out of the game early with 13 points that left the Badger big man to early foul trouble, and the Tigers as a team put on an offensive show. MU shot 68% from the field on the way to a 109-96 victory that is the Tiger’s highest scoring game in NCAA tournament history. Melvin Booker led the way with 35 points on 11 for 14 shooting.
#3
1980 – MU vs Notre Dame (Second Round)
Notre Dame was one of the most talented and high profile programs in the nation in 1980, featuring 5 players who would go on to play in the NBA and ranked #5 nationally. Trailing by 6 at halftime, MU mounted a comeback on the strength of a school record 12 assists from Larry Drew but much more so on the unexpected stellar game of sophomore Mark Dressler. He would finish the game 13 of 16 from the field for 32 points and MU would walk away with an 87-84 overtime win.
#2
1976 – MU vs Michigan (Regional Final)
Playing for their chance at the program’s first Final Four, MU came out flat when star guard Willie Smith scored just 2 points in the game’s first 10 minutes and MU fell behind by 18. MU made it more competitive by cutting it to 50-37 at half. And then Willie Smith took over, perhaps submitting the best half in MU basketball history. Smith started firing 17 seconds after the second half began—15, 20 and 25 footers—and within eight minutes the score was 65-65. The score was tied at 71 when hit two very long jump shots and a free throw to put the Tigers ahead by five with 7:54 to go. The final four was within reach. Missouri was unfortunately unable to hold on because it blew 8 of its last 11 foul shots and Kim Anderson was called for a technical foul for attempting to dunk after being undercut on a breakaway layup and grabbing the rim for protection. MU would fall 95-88 as Smith recorded 29 second half points and 43 for the game in the highest scoring postseason game ever by a Tiger. Despite the Tigers not winning the region, 199 of the 200 votes for the Region's Most Outstanding Player went to Smith in defeat. Michigan would go on to play in the national title game, losing to Indiana’s famous undefeated team.
#1
2009 – MU vs Memphis (Regional Semi-Final)
Facing 2nd seeded and 33 win Memphis, MU was matched up with a superior defensive unit that felt it could get out and run with MU. MU would use a 27-7 run late in the first half and the beginning of the second half to open up a 24 point led. After having a long shot overruled by officials into a 2, Denmon followed up on the next possession to close the half with a three quarter length bomb that touched nothing but net. JT Tiller would set a career high 23 points and all 5 MU starters would reach double digits and MU would claim a victory over their highest NCAA seed ever with a 102-91 win. MU would advance to play #1 seed UConn in the Elite Eight and set a program record with its 31 win of the season.
#10
1995 – MU vs UCLA (second round)
UCLA was the overall #1 seed, featured National Player of the Year Ed O’Bannon, and was the storied program’s best team since the 1970’s. MU used deadeye long range shooting to take a 42-34 halftime lead. When UCLA went on a 15-0 run to take the lead, MU refused to fold. O’liney/Grimm/Sutherland combined to make 12 of 19 three pointers on the day and with 4 minutes to play MU was shooting 41% from 2 and 69% from behind the arc. MU climbed back to a 73-72 deficit with the ball in the final minute. Julian Winfield converted with only 4.8 seconds remaining in what might have been the biggest basket in MU history had the next play which lives in infamy not developed into a miraculous sprint down court and buzzer beater that allowed UCLA to advance 75-74 and eventually claim the National Title.
#9
2002 – MU vs UCLA (Regional Semi-Final)
MU was facing the Bruins for the first time since being knocked out of the 1995 tournament by them on a buzzer beater. The Tigers even featured a point guard who played for the same high school and coach as Tyus Edney in Wesley Stokes. Both programs had been ranked in the top 3 nationally at one point in the season but entered the final poll unranked. It was the 5th time in 6 seasons under Steve Lavin that UCLA had made the Regional Semi-final. Tiger Clarence Gilbert would dislocate his finger early, but play through pain to score 17 second half points on his way to a team leading 23. UCLA would lead for most of the game, and held a 57-54 advantage with 10 minutes remaining when MU went on a 19-6 run to put the game away. The Tigers won 82-73 to become the first 12 seed to advance to the Elite Eight since the field expanded to 64 teams.
#8
2003 – MU vs Marquette (second round)
The 3rd seeded Golden Eagles featured the dynamic backcourt of Travis Diener and Dwayne Wade, and they took a 10 point halftime lead against MU. MU would fight back in the second half on the strength of 3 monumental performances (while every other Tiger gave almost nothing). Josh Kronke had perhaps his best game scoring 14 points on 4 of 6 shooting behind the arc. AJ scored 28 points and grabbed 18 rebounds. And Paulding was the best of them all, including future NBA star Wade, in scoring 36 points and connecting on 9 three pointers. MU rallied back to tie the game at 80 and send it to overtime. However, MU was ambushed in the extra period by future NBA’er Steve Novak who came off the bench from then obscurity to hit three 3 pointers and Marquette didn’t miss a shot the entire overtime period on the way to a 101-92 win and eventual Final Four appearance.
#7
1994 – MU vs Syracuse (Regional Semi-Final)
Against 4th seeded ‘Cuse, #1 seed MU controlled the game for the first half and led by 11 with under 5 minutes to play. But a huge second half by Adrian Autry, who scored 31 points after halftime, brought the Orangemen back and sent the game to overtime. Melvin Booker led MU to victory as he had done all season, and led the Tigers with 24, as MU won 98-88 in overtime to advance to the Elite Eight.
#6
1982 – MU vs Houston (Regional Semi-Final)
Somewhat unknown at the point the match up occurred, Houston would famously become referred to as Phi Slamma Jamma featuring the likes of Rob Williams, Clyde Drexler, and Akeem Alajuwon. MU had claimed the program’s first ever number 1 ranking that season and featured 3 All American’s in Stipo/Sundvold/Frazier. MU would be ambushed by Houston’s superior athleticism and the Cougars would take a 10 point lead with 5:30 to play. Rickey Frazier was the only Tiger who could match Houston’s athleticism, and despite making no field goals in the first half, Frazier would carry the Tigers back with 25 second half points and a career high 29 for the game. But MU was not able to overcome 18 turnovers and 13 missed free throws and they lost 79-78 to the eventual Final Four Cougars.
#5
2002 – MU vs Ohio State (second round)
MU matched up with the 4th seeded Buckeyes and absolutely dominated them from start to finish. The Tigers jumped out to a 47-26 halftime lead, Paulding threw down two highlight reel dunks, MU controlled the boards 52 to 28, and ultimately won 83-67 in a final score that looks much closer than it was. MU would go on to become the first 12 seed to ever make the Elite Eight.
#4
1994 – MU vs Wisconsin (second round)
Wisconsin featured talented center Rashard Griffin and future NBA star Micheal Finley, and the Tigers were MU’s only #1 seed after sweeping the Big 8 a perfect 14-0. Marlo Finner would take Griffin out of the game early with 13 points that left the Badger big man to early foul trouble, and the Tigers as a team put on an offensive show. MU shot 68% from the field on the way to a 109-96 victory that is the Tiger’s highest scoring game in NCAA tournament history. Melvin Booker led the way with 35 points on 11 for 14 shooting.
#3
1980 – MU vs Notre Dame (Second Round)
Notre Dame was one of the most talented and high profile programs in the nation in 1980, featuring 5 players who would go on to play in the NBA and ranked #5 nationally. Trailing by 6 at halftime, MU mounted a comeback on the strength of a school record 12 assists from Larry Drew but much more so on the unexpected stellar game of sophomore Mark Dressler. He would finish the game 13 of 16 from the field for 32 points and MU would walk away with an 87-84 overtime win.
#2
1976 – MU vs Michigan (Regional Final)
Playing for their chance at the program’s first Final Four, MU came out flat when star guard Willie Smith scored just 2 points in the game’s first 10 minutes and MU fell behind by 18. MU made it more competitive by cutting it to 50-37 at half. And then Willie Smith took over, perhaps submitting the best half in MU basketball history. Smith started firing 17 seconds after the second half began—15, 20 and 25 footers—and within eight minutes the score was 65-65. The score was tied at 71 when hit two very long jump shots and a free throw to put the Tigers ahead by five with 7:54 to go. The final four was within reach. Missouri was unfortunately unable to hold on because it blew 8 of its last 11 foul shots and Kim Anderson was called for a technical foul for attempting to dunk after being undercut on a breakaway layup and grabbing the rim for protection. MU would fall 95-88 as Smith recorded 29 second half points and 43 for the game in the highest scoring postseason game ever by a Tiger. Despite the Tigers not winning the region, 199 of the 200 votes for the Region's Most Outstanding Player went to Smith in defeat. Michigan would go on to play in the national title game, losing to Indiana’s famous undefeated team.
#1
2009 – MU vs Memphis (Regional Semi-Final)
Facing 2nd seeded and 33 win Memphis, MU was matched up with a superior defensive unit that felt it could get out and run with MU. MU would use a 27-7 run late in the first half and the beginning of the second half to open up a 24 point led. After having a long shot overruled by officials into a 2, Denmon followed up on the next possession to close the half with a three quarter length bomb that touched nothing but net. JT Tiller would set a career high 23 points and all 5 MU starters would reach double digits and MU would claim a victory over their highest NCAA seed ever with a 102-91 win. MU would advance to play #1 seed UConn in the Elite Eight and set a program record with its 31 win of the season.
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MU's top NCAA tourney performance? - FIJItiger MU - 3/21 12:08:52