Fansided

The 5 most disappointing NCAA Tournament performances since 2000

By Ryan Phillips

Feb 24, 2014; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts from the sidelines during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2014; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts from the sidelines during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Dec 21, 2013; Saint Louis, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Frank Haith reacts to a call made during the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2013; Saint Louis, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Frank Haith reacts to a call made during the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

2012 Missouri Tigers

In Frank Haith’s first season in charge of the Missouri Tigers, the program had a remarkable year. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, Haith’s bunch opened the campaign 14-0 and went from being ranked 25th to seventh by the time the Big 12 season rolled around. The Tigers went 14-4 in conference and were 27-4 when the Big 12 Tournament rolled around.

Led by Second Team All-American Marcus Denmon, the Tigers put four players on All-Big 12 teams (Denmon, Ricardo Ratliffe, Kim English, Phil Pressey) and Haith earned AP Coach of the Year honors. Missouri breezed through the Big 12 Tournament to take the title and entered the NCAA Tournament ranked No. 3 in the AP poll with a 30-4 record.

The Tigers wound up getting the No. 2 seed in the West Regional and were a popular pick to reach the Final Four. In the opening round they drew 15th-seeded Norfolk State at the Century Link Center in Omaha and things didn’t go according to plan.

In what was their school’s first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans were not there to mess around. They stayed with the mighty Tigers throughout the entire game. The contest was tied 38-38 at the half and it stayed that tight the whole way through. Norfolk State’s Kyle O’Quinn was outstanding, scoring 26 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and blocking two shots in 37 minutes. The Spartans shot 54.2 percent from the field and 52.6 percent from beyond the arc for the game.

Missouri never gained any breathing room and Norfolk State led 86-84 late when O’Quinn had a chance to put the game away at the free throw line. He missed both attempts with 3.8 seconds left and Haith called timeout to set up a play. Pressey wound up getting a good look at the 3-pointer, but it hit the back iron as the buzzer went off.

As if the loss wasn’t disappointing enough, Missouri made some dubious history as well. They became the first team in NCAA tournament history to make at least 10 3-pointers, shoot at least 50 percent from the field, commit fewer than 10 turnovers and lose the game. They were also just the fourth team to lose in the round of 64 after entering the tournament with 30 or more wins, and the first major conference team to do so.

That’s the definition of a disappointing showing.

Next: 2006 Duke Blue Devils

Home/March Madness