On Saturday, No. 14 Missouri chose to defend instead of foul, and Vanderbilt’s Tyler Nickel hit a 3-pointer to force overtime and ultimately win the game 97-93. Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington and Missouri’s Dennis Gates have both engineered significant turnarounds this season, with Byington leading the Commodores to a likely NCAA Tournament bid for the first time since 2016-17.
Vanderbilt, now 20-9, 8-8 in the SEC, is looking at a potential No. 6 or No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament after a rough 9-23 season last year. The team has shown rotating heroics, with Michigan State transfer AJ Hoggard leading the charge against Missouri with 21 points and six assists. Chris Manon added 23 points, Jason Edwards contributed 17, and Nickel hit the game-tying 3-pointer at the end of regulation.
Missouri, currently 21-8, 10-6 in the SEC, is still in the hunt for a top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament despite the loss. Caleb Grill scored 28 points and Mark Mitchell added 20, but the Tigers fell victim to Vanderbilt’s Memorial Magic and the decision to defend instead of foul in the final seconds of regulation.
The game was part of an impressive week for Vanderbilt men’s basketball, with wins over Texas A&M and Missouri solidifying their position in the NCAA Tournament. Byington has revamped the team and kept them winning at a high rate, earning him praise in what has been called the best conference in men’s basketball history.
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