March 15, 2009

COLUMBIA, Mo. - One day after claiming their first Big 12 Conference Championship, the Missouri men's basketball team was selected as a No. 3 seed in the West Regional. The Tigers (28-6) are making their 22nd overall NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2003 and own an 18-21 overall record in tournament action.

The Tigers (28-6) will travel to Boise, Idaho, to play No. 14 seed Cornell (21-9) on Friday, March 20 at the Taco Bell Arena. The winner will advance to play either No.6 seed Marquette (24-9) or No. 11 seed Utah State (30-4) on Sunday, March 22. Mizzou faced Marquette in its last tournament game in 2003 and fell in the second round to Golden Eagles 101-92 in overtime.

Head Coach Mike Anderson is only the fourth coach to lead to lead Missouri to the NCAA Tournament, joining Norm Stewart (16 appearances, 12-16 record), Quin Snyder (four appearances, 5-4 record) and George Edwards (one appearance, 1-1 record).

Missouri owns a 2-2 record as a No. 3 seed after berths in 1989 and 1990. The 1989 squad advanced to the Sweet Sixteen before falling to No. 2 seed Syracuse, 83-80.

The Tigers are one of six Big 12 teams to earn berths to the tournament. Also earning a bid were No. 2 Oklahoma, No. 3 Kansas, No. 7 Texas, No. 8 Oklahoma State and No. 9 Texas A&M.

Stay tuned to www.mutigers .com for ticket information.