The Columbia regional was not all about chalk on Friday afternoon. Missouri, the host and the top seed in the region, squeaked by the No. 4 seed Missouri State. Third-seeded Arizona blew out second-seeded Illinois. Will day two unfold differently?
Missouri is the fifteenth national seed, but the Tigers came into the tournament with 20 losses just like Arizona. They started the postseason at No. 18 in RPI and likely landed a hosting gig based on a good run in their conference tournament.
After finishing 12-11 in the conference regular season, Missouri went on a tear through the SEC tournament.