Missouri Looks to Boost NCAA Tournament Hopes Against No. 19 Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt has won 5 of its last 6 SEC games despite playing short-handed

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The Missouri Tigers will host the 19th-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores in a key SEC matchup as both teams look to bolster their NCAA Tournament resumes. Vanderbilt has been playing without two key guards due to injuries, but has found ways to win behind strong performances from Tyler Tanner and others. Missouri is coming off a tough home loss to Texas and needs a win to keep its tournament hopes alive.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for both teams' NCAA Tournament aspirations. Vanderbilt is currently ranked 13th in the NET rankings and looking to solidify its spot in the field, while Missouri has dropped to 66th in the NET and needs a signature win to improve its tournament resume.

The details

Vanderbilt has been playing without guards Duke Miles and Frankie Collins due to knee injuries, but Tyler Tanner has stepped up, averaging 25.8 points over a recent five-game stretch. When Tanner got into foul trouble against Texas A&M, other Commodores like Tyler Nickel, AK Okereke, and Chandler Bing stepped up to secure the win. Missouri has also been hampered by foul trouble for center Shawn Phillips Jr., forcing the Tigers to play smaller lineups or zone defense when he's out of the game.

  • Vanderbilt has won 5 of its last 6 SEC games.
  • Duke Miles has been sidelined since January 24th.
  • Frankie Collins has been unavailable since December 17th.

The players

Tyler Tanner

A Vanderbilt guard who has stepped up in the absence of injured teammates, averaging 25.8 points over a recent five-game stretch.

Duke Miles

A Vanderbilt guard who is closer to returning from a knee injury but is still questionable to play on Wednesday.

Shawn Phillips Jr.

The Missouri center who has been hindered by foul trouble, forcing the Tigers to play smaller lineups or zone defense when he's out of the game.

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What they’re saying

“Other guys are capable. This team celebrates each other. No one's happier in the locker room than Tyler Tanner or anybody else. And that's why I like this group. They care about winning.”

— Mark Byington, Vanderbilt Head Coach

“Shawn is a defensive presence for us. He gives us, definitely, athleticism around the basket. It's just one of those things where some of the fouls that he picked up on the floor ... unfortunate flagrant. And he's probably leading the country in flagrant fouls. The other part of it is, is it the response or the initiation of the physicality? And I think he's always on the other side of reacting, and the second move in terms of being caught.”

— Dennis Gates, Missouri Head Coach

What’s next

Duke Miles is closer to returning from his knee injury, and could potentially play within the next week or two.

The takeaway

This game is a crucial opportunity for both Missouri and Vanderbilt to bolster their NCAA Tournament resumes, with the Commodores looking to solidify their spot in the field and the Tigers needing a signature win to improve their standing.