Snyder Resigns, Shakes Up Basketball Team

Over the weekend Missouri's Men's Basketball Coach Quin Snyder resigned. While I thought Snyder was a good coach, and should have been given the chance to rebuild the Tigers program, the athletic department felt differently. Apparently Snyder resigned after being told that he would not be coaching the Tigers next season. As much I as liked Snyder as a coach, this could help the Missouri programs salvage the current season. The team was able to snap a six-game losing streak in it's first game without Snyder, many players said that they were playing the game with their former coach in mind. Many players felt that the athletic department was trying to put an end to the Tigers season, write them off, so to speak. This has apparently "woken the team up" as they will try to make a miraculous run to post-season play.

5 regular season games remain for the Tigers and even winning those games will not put them in the NCAA tournament. In order to make it into the field of 65, they will need to make a run in the Big 12 tournament. The winner of this tournament automatically gets invited to the NCAA tournament, regardless of record. There are a couple of factors that could make it easier for the Tigers. Last year the Big 12 tournament did not conclude until after the selection committee had set the field of 65. This did not really matter because the two teams playing in the title game were going to the tournament regardless of what happened. If Missouri can somehow make it to the Big 12 Title game, there is a good chance they can make it to the NCAA tournament regardless of what the outcome of that game is. As far fetched as it may seem, Missouri still has a chance to make some noise this season, but the margin for error is down to nothing. They must win, and they must win now. Every game has turned into a playoff game, and the resignation of Quin Snyder might just be enough to motivate this team to do something special.

If they fall short, I can live with a birth in the NIT. The only requirement to make that postseason tournament, which the Tigers have been to the past 2 years, is to have a .500 or above record. Currently Missouri is 11-11 on the season. They would have to win 3 of their final 5 to secure a spot in the NIT.

Publish Date: February 13 in the Missourian.