Big 12: So long Missouri
Kemper Arena is still standing over in Kansas City’s West Bottoms. Missouri would vote to return the Big 12 Tournament to its previous KC home.
The Tigers remained 0-for-the-Sprint Center, losing to Nebraska 75-60 Wednesday. Mizzou also lost to Nebraska in the first round at the Sprint Center in 2008, the first year the tournament was played at the new arena.
Missouri guard Mike Dixon (10) and Nebraska guard Eshaunte Jones (1) hit the floor after the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big 12 Conference tournament on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
The Tigers almost always played well at Kemper. In the 20 Big Eight post-season tournaments played, all at Kemper, Missouri won six titles, more than any other school. The Tigers also reached the Big 12 finals at Kemper in 1997. And Missouri has played well away from Kansas City, finishing second in the 2003 tournament at Dallas and winning last year in Oklahoma City.
The Tigers had routed Nebraska twice this season, 74-59 in Lincoln on Feb. 20 and 70-53 in Columbia on Jan. 23.
But the Huskers played superb offense Wednesday, making 24 of 43 shots, including eight of 14 from 3-point range. Brandon Richardson and Ryan Anderson each shot 6-of-8 from the field, scoring 19 and 16 points, respectively.
“It’s been a tough season,” Nebraska coach Doc Sadler said. “But from the toughest losses to the few wins (the Huskers are 15-17 overall), this team has continued to compete.”
This marks the second time the 12th-seed has upset the five-seed. Two years ago, Colorado upset Baylor in double overtime.
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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