The University of Missouri men’s basketball team is set to begin its quest for a national title as it faces Drake in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. The game, which will take place at 6:35 p.m. ET on truTV in Wichita, marks an important milestone for Mizzou, who enter the tournament with a 22-11 overall record and are ranked No. 23 in the AP poll.
The Tigers have been led by junior Mark Mitchell, who averages 14.1 points per game, as well as Caleb Grill, who scores 13.7 points per game and is a Wichita native. Mizzou also boasts a strong rebounding presence, with Josh Gray collecting a team-best 5.3 rebounds.
Drake, on the other hand, earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning the Missouri Valley title and features Bennett Stirtz, who leads the team in scoring and assists per game. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 25 in the AP poll and boast a strong defense, ranking first nationally with a scoring margin of 58.4 points.
This matchup marks a significant test for Mizzou, which has advanced as far as the Elite Eight on five occasions. The Tigers are currently seeded sixth, but head coach Dennis Gates is optimistic about his team’s chances. “We’re excited to get started in the tournament,” Gates said. “Our guys have worked hard all season, and we’re looking forward to making a deep run.”
Source: https://mutigers.com/news/2025/3/19/mens-basketball-opens-ncaa-tournament-thursday-versus-drake.aspx