Mizzou reaches first NCAA Tournament since 2018; Billikens on standby as alternate

The Missouri Tigers will participate in March Madness for the first time since 2018, while the Saint Louis Billikens have a slim shot at returning to the tournament if other teams have to withdraw due to COVID-19 issues.

Mizzou lost six of its final nine games but still managed to secure a berth in the tournament after finishing 16-9. The Tigers are a No. 9 seed in the West region and will face No. 8 Oklahoma on Saturday.

Missouri hasn’t appeared in the NCAA Tournament since losing to Florida State in a first-round matchup in 2018. It’s the second time Cuonzo Martin has led the Tigers to the tourney.

The Saint Louis Billikens, who got off to a 7-1 start in non-conference play before enduring a monthlong COVID-19 shutdown and going 7-5 in Atlantic 10 play, were one of three alternates named in the event that teams have to withdraw from the tournament due to coronavirus-related issues. The Billikens will need at least three teams to withdraw by Tuesday in order to receive a tournament opportunity, as Louisville and Colorado State are ahead of SLU in the pecking order.