Will Mark Mitchell Be Ready for NCAA Tournament? How his Absence Impacted Mizzou in SEC Tournament

Missouri Tigers forward Mark Mitchell was hoping to play against the Florida Gators in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, but head coach Dennis Gates held him back.

Mitchell suffered a right knee injury in the first half of Missouri's game against No. 10-seeded Mississippi State in Round 2 of the SEC Tournament, Missouri's first of the Tournament.

Mitchell had discussions with the coaching staff and trainers, considering returning in the second half of that game. Ultimately, Mitchell decided it would be too much of a risk.

"Mark knows what he can and cannot do," Gates said following the win over Mississippi State. "He didn't want to put our team in a disadvantage if he's not at 100%. So at the end of the day, he trusted our substitutions and our depth."

Ahead of Friday's game against No. 2-seeded Florida, Mitchell was able to complete a full walk through and workout. The Third-team All-SEC player felt good enough, and wanted to play.

But, Gates decided it wouldn't be for the best, with the NCAA Tournament just across the horizon.

"I had as a coach, to make a tough decision," Gates said in a press conference Friday night. "Mark wanted to play.He wanted to be out there with his team. I did not let him play. I, coach Gates, did not let Mark Mitchell play. ... Big picture is, he get a couple days, have some more practices, and I just didn't wanna jeopardize anything moving forward."

Mitchell's absence was certainly felt in Missouri's loss to Florida. Especially after center Josh Gray fouled out with 7:20 remaining.

Without Mitchell's 6-foot-9, 230-pound frame in the starting lineup, Missouri's primary big man on offense and defense was gone. The Tigers struggled to match the physicality of Florida on both ends of the court, allowing 48 points in the paint and struggling to find rhythm offensively.

"A little bit more physicality," Gray said of the difference Mitchell's absence made to Missouri's play. "I'm having to fly around a little bit more. Some of the offense went a little bit as well, drives and kicks, stuff like that, we were relying on our guard."