Missouri Tigers: Worst sports moments for Mizzou fans

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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OMAHA, NE – MARCH 16: The Norfolk State Spartans react to their lead against the Missouri Tigers during the second round of the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE – MARCH 16: The Norfolk State Spartans react to their lead against the Missouri Tigers during the second round of the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images) /

WORST MOMENTS FOR MU FANS – NUMBER 2: NORFOLK WHO?

2012 NCAA TOURNAMENT (MARCH 16, 2012 VS NORFOLK STATE)

When it comes to the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history, the Missouri Tigers are at the top of the list, much to their dismay. Let’s give a little back story on this one before diving right into the painful moment itself.

The Tigers had one of their best regular seasons in years during the 2011-2012 campaign, going 30-5 (14-4 in conference play) and ending their final season in the Big 12 with a bang. MU earned a two-seed in the tournament and the hype was through the roof.

I remember that I picked the Tigers to make it to the Final Four that season and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one. Missouri looked for real, but sadly, another painful moment was about to hit the fan base and it would be one for the record books… not just for Missouri, but in NCAA Tournament history.

MU’s first round opponent was Norfolk State out of the MEAC and it seemed like it’d be all too easy for MU to get to the Round of 32. Instead, it came down to the wire and the Tigers ended up falling to the Spartans by a score of 86-84.

Before this game, a 15-seed had not beaten a two-seed in 11 years and the 2012 season saw it happen twice. Missouri lost to Norfolk State and Duke lost to Lehigh in the same round. It was a crazy tournament that year.

It all became much worse as the Kansas Jayhawks would make it all the way to the National Championship that year (though they did lose to Kentucky fortunately). Not only did MU fans have to live with one of the worst losses in NCAA Tournament history, but they also had to watch their biggest rival make it as far as a team can go.

Every year when March Madness rolls around, Mizzou fans brace themselves for the “highlights” of all of the 15-seed teams upsetting the two-seeds and seeing their school represented in that unfortunate bunch. The life of a Mizzou fan…

Hey, at least they weren’t the first one-seed to fall to a 16-seed! Thanks Virginia!