The Shootaround: Jan. 26
The continued turnaround of the MU men's basketball team isn't going unnoticed. Just ask the 13,357 fans who filtered into Mizzou Arena on a freezing Saturday afternoon against Texas Tech.
However, given Missouri's recent history and penchant for disappointment, fans are cautiously approaching the program's nouveau riche success.
Yet, after a head-scratching loss to Nebraska in its Big 12 opener, Missouri has rebounded with four consecutive conference wins, improving to 17-3 and 4-1 in Big 12 play. The four-game conference win streak puts this year's Missouri team in select company in recent team history.
All four Missouri teams sporting Big 12 winning streaks of four or more games qualified for postseason play, including two NCAA Tournament berths. However, file this in the "strange but true" category: In the three seasons between years with four-game conference winning streaks, Missouri actually improved in postseason play, twice reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament and once advancing all the way to the Elite Eight.
But, more impressive than what Missouri has done is how the team has done it. Take a look at the game flows of the following four Missouri wins:
Since leaving Lincoln, Neb. with a loss, Missouri has not even trailed. The Missouri media guide does not list a school record for longest streak of play without trailing, but the current team now rides a 160-minute deficit-less streak into Wednesday's game against Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan.