In 1994, No. 12 Mizzou defeated No. 4 Kansas on February 20, catapulting the Tigers into the AP top 10 and sparking what is often hailed as the best season in the program’s history.
Nearly 31 years later, Mizzou once again bested a No. 4 team—this time handing Alabama a 110-98 loss on “Throwback Night” at Mizzou Arena, where the atmosphere echoed 1994 as the men in black and gold reaffirmed their status among college basketball’s elite.
Wednesday’s game resembled a track meet, with Alabama catching up after the Tigers enjoyed a comfortable lead for most of the contest. Although Mizzou kept piling on the points while Alabama kept answering back, MU managed to secure the win late, quelling the comeback and delighting the home crowd.
Mark Mitchell led the Tigers with a career-high 31 points, eclipsing the previous mark of 23 he set against Oklahoma just a week earlier. Alabama struggled to contain him near the basket, as he adeptly isolated defenders in the post—whether facing 6-foot-11 Grant Nelson or 6-foot-7 Mo Dioubate, Mitchell found success for much of the game.
However, it wasn’t only the big man making an impact on offense. Caleb Grill caught fire again, scoring 25 points. Interestingly, his scoring burst wasn’t driven by stellar 3-point shooting—he was just 3-for-9 from deep, with most of his points coming from two-pointers and free throws as he attacked the basket.
Fresh off an electrifying performance against Georgia, sophomore Anthony Robinson II carried that momentum into Wednesday’s game, efficiently scoring 14 points on a 6-of-8 shooting night. As usual, he made significant defensive contributions, as both he and Grill tallied three steals each. The Tigers’ outstanding team defense was a major reason behind their energetic performance, and it was evident right from the start.
The Tigers got off to a blazing start on both ends, defying the bitter cold outside to jump to a 12-0 lead. Mizzou was effortlessly penetrating the paint, and whenever an open look at the rim wasn’t available, another player in a white jersey hit a three-pointer off a kickout. By the time Tony Perkins sank a short corner jumper with 15:53 remaining in the first half, every Tiger starter had contributed points.
Mizzou kept rolling like an unstoppable machine. Despite a home-crowd-charged surge, Alabama eventually found its offensive rhythm—scoring 46 first-half points on just over 60% shooting. Still, the Crimson Tide seemed off-kilter; Mizzou’s active defense and sharp rotations forced 10 turnovers in the first half—six more than they committed. Moreover, the Tigers attempted eight more field goals and seven additional free throws than Alabama.
In short, while Alabama was efficient, Mizzou excelled in both efficiency and shot volume, boasting an impressive 61.1% shooting rate. Mitchell mirrored this success, putting up 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting.
Mizzou also thrived in transition, consistently converting rebounds and turnovers into quick scores. Even though the Crimson Tide is known for its up-tempo play, the Tigers outpaced them by scoring 21 points off turnovers and 13 on fast breaks—proving they didn’t just keep up with the pace; they dominated it.
As in years past, this win will propel Mizzou in multiple ways. Barring a loss to Arkansas on Saturday, the Tigers are likely to finish in the AP top 10. More importantly, the performance sent a clear message: these Tigers are for real.
Mizzou will hit the road this weekend for a Battle Line Rivalry matchup against Arkansas, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. CST in Fayetteville.
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