Baylor vs. Missouri Basketball: Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Grades

Missouri was too relentless and disciplined for Baylor. Despite superior physical talent, size and depth, the Baylor Bears could not trump the Tigers leadership and execution.

Every time the Bears tried to make a run, one of the Tigers' stars made a big shot to re-establish distance between the two teams.

With this being the third time the Tigers have bested Baylor, they left no doubt who the better team was.

Perry Jones III and Quincy Miller had some moments that conveyed why NBA scouts are so high on them. But on this level, in a team component, it wasn't enough.

The Bears could not establish their huge size advantage. Jones III and Miller especially looked out of their elements on the block.

The size does no good if the player doesn't know how to take advantage of it.

Tweets of the Night

There were a few poignant—and entertaining—tweets that stood out during the game. They are as follows...

Obviously this isn't "the" Bill Walton, but he certainly has the written impersonation down. How long would he be entertained by this one?

"

Watching Colorado/Arizona. Not sure why I'm doing that. Switching to Baylor/Missouri.Ah, basketball. That's better.

— The Bill Walton Trip (@NotBillWalton) March 11, 2012"

This gentleman couldn't get pass the announce team. If he indeed turn this one off, he missed one of the mildest Bob Knight's in history. More to come on that.

"

Was gonna watch the Baylor missouri game until I realized Bobby knight was announcing @lancegentry21

— Robin Kelley (@robinkelley24) March 11, 2012"

Now to the actual game....

Brian Goodman's assessment was spot on. Baylor just didn't play with enough purpose when their bigs had the ball on the post.

"

Baylor's looking soft inside again, something that's pretty hard to to do when you're playing Missouri.

— Brian G (@bri_goodman) March 11, 2012"

David Kaye a Baylor alum was obviously feeling the pain. It's true, Baylor did play solid defense in the half court, only to see the Tigers drain big shots

"

Unbelievable how many times Baylor has played good D and Missouri still hits a 3. Just can't buy a break.

— David Kaye III (@DavidKaye9) March 11, 2012"

Must-See Highlights

Watching the highlights you'd think that the Bears won this game. Just goes to show you, dunks are only worth two points, no matter how pretty they are.

First up, I told you Bob Knight was in a great mood. Is that ice cream?:

Quincy Acy keyed the trap, then caught the over the head pass, kept it for the one hand flush:

This was a microcosm of the day for the Bears. No execution on the block and the Tigers in transition:

Just for eye candy, here is Perry Jones III on the alley-oop:

Grades for Bears' Key Players

Perry Jones III: B-

Jones only showed flashes in a game where his team needed him to be dominant from 15 feet in. He did have 16 points and 11 rebounds, but he did not demand the ball on the post, or assert himself as a real presence inside.

After this game, he is clearly a small forward in the NBA. 

Quincy Miller: D

Miller was especially soft close to the basket, he was more of a liability near the basket than a asset. He is a perimeter player, but in this matchup, he needed rudimentary post skills, and at 6'9", he had none. 

Grades for Tigers' Key Players

Kim English: A-

English finished with 19 points, he knocked down several big shots. He was 5-8 from three point range and was stellar in the clutch.

Phil Pressey: B

Pressey was solid, he had 15 points and 8 assists. He ran the team well throughout.

Ricardo Ratliffe: B-

Ratliffe was solid inside, he finished with 15 points and provided the Tigers with a physical presence before fouling out. 

Deciding Factor: Shooting

It sounds simple but when one team shoots 39 percent and the other shoots 54 percent, it's not rocket science. Had the Bears been more effective going inside. they could have masked their inability to knock down threes. 

They couldn't do that.

Instead, the Tigers shot 43 percent from deep, not to mention tons of huge big threes by Phil Pressey and Kim English.

Game MVP: Kim English

This is pretty clear, English looked like a winner and a player so smart, confident and solid as a shooter. NBA teams should have him on their list in regard to a possible late first round pick.

He was 6-of-10 from the field and 5-of-8 from three-point range.

This kid gives one of the brightest, most entertaining interviews I've ever seen in 30 years of watching collegiate athletics.

He's a special kid.

What's Next?

The Tigers should have earned a top seed with this one. Baylor will get a four seed, they had a nice run, but their weaknesses were apparent.

This team is not mature enough to sustain a long run against quality teams in the NCAA tournament.

The Tigers, on the other hand, are very dangerous.