Mizzou veterans share experiences with NCAA Tournament newcomers

WICHITA, Kan. (KMIZ)

Mizzou Men's Basketball has plenty of NCAA Tournament experience on its roster.

Eight of the team's 18 players have competed in March Madness at least once in their careers, and several student-athletes have earned a national tournament berth in multiple campaigns.

"This is my third time, my last time. It's just very exciting. Everyone wants to end their college career going to March Madness, making a deep run, and I finally feel like I can actually do that while playing a pivotal role for my team," Mizzou center Josh Gray said.

"It's a blessing for sure," Mizzou guard Tamar Bates said. "We're just reaping the rewards of the work that this group has put in the entire year. We are an extremely connected group, and I'm just excited to be here, grateful for the opportunity, whether it's for the guys that are veterans that have been to the tournament before, and obviously, my freshmen and younger guys that this is their first experience."

However, No. 6-seed MU's first round showdown against No. 11-seed Drake will also feature some first-timers on the national stage. 10 Tigers will experience the NCAA Tournament for the first time on Thursday night. Most of those players are underclassmen, but for Mizzou graduate Jacob Crews, this upcoming game was a long time coming.

"I'm really, really grateful. This is my first time in my career, so I'm definitely excited. I've definitely got some nerves and everything, but we definitely earned it. We definitely worked hard for it, so that feels great too," Crews said.

NCAA Tournament games have a much different feel than any other contest. From the finality of the event to the national attention, there's a lot more pressure to perform in the tournament. However, the newcomers have learned how to embrace the madness, using valuable lessons from Mizzou's veterans.

"It's definitely a little different. It's all eyes on you, and just being in this situation before, I know how it feels," Mizzou guard/forward Mark Mitchell said. "Just be in the moment. Don't get too far down the line. Just take it one game at a time, one moment at a time."

"Everybody's going to be excited. I just tell them to stay locked into the details, try not to think too much about it," Mizzou guard/forward Aidan Shaw said. "People look up to the teams and players that play here, so just being here is a blessing. I just tell them to take it all in."

"It's not a guarantee. If you lose, it's over with. The majority of the time, it's just a lot of pressure a little bit, but you know, once you get in the game, and you're kind of like playing in a crowd, you kind of simmer down," Mizzou guard Tony Perkins said. "You just got to think of it like it's a game that may not happen again because even if you're a freshman, sophomore or junior, this might be a once in a lifetime opportunity."

"I've just been telling them to stay in the moment, like take it all in. This is what they've been watching their entire life, and it's something that is once in a lifetime. It's the most exciting three weeks, I feel like in sports period," Bates said. "Obviously, it can all be over in 40 minutes or you can make it last for the entire three weeks, so just being in the moment and not taking it for granted."

Crews, Anthony Robinson, Trent Pierce and more will make their NCAA Tournament debuts on March 20 at 6:35 p.m. inside INTRUST Bank Arena.