Ryan Rosburg must have hoped his senior night would go well when he walked into Mizzou Arena on Saturday evening. He must have hoped that his career would be filled with wins and consistency when he signed to play basketball at Missouri too.
Unfortunately for Rosburg and the Tigers, hopes do not constitute wins in Division I basketball.
Rosburg and the Missouri men’s basketball team were handed their 21st loss of the season by Florida on senior night 82–72.
Things started to go wrong for Missouri (10-21, 3-15 SEC) as soon as the ball was tossed into the air for the opening tip off. Although the Tigers controlled the tip, freshman guard K.J. Walton was called for a half-court violation almost as soon as he touched the ball.
Things went downhill from there. It was soon apparent that the Gators were simply playing with a higher intensity than the Tigers, seemingly grabbing every loose ball and every rebound. After eight minutes of play, Florida held a commanding 19–5 lead.
“I thought Florida played great early,” coach Kim Anderson said. “I thought they came out with a sense of urgency early.”
Florida would maintain its stranglehold for the remainder of the half, going back to the locker room with a commanding 46–28 lead.
However, the Tigers did not succumb easily to the Gators, outscoring Florida 44–36 in the second half. Behind 18 points split evenly between sophomore guard Namon Wright and freshman forward Kevin Puryear, Missouri came roaring back to within seven points with a minute left in the game.
“Missouri was just playing with a lot of confidence, getting defensive rebounds and pushing it down our throat,” Florida coach Mike White said. “I’m glad it ended. I’m glad they ran out of time.”
Unfortunately for Missouri, the comeback attempt would fall short. With under a minute left, freshman guard Terrence Phillips fouled out, a loss that took the fire out of his teammates and the crowd. Phillips finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
“(Phillips) plays with so much fire and emotion,” Anderson said. “I love him because he plays with so much emotion.”
Right before the final whistle sounded, Rosburg walked off the court for the final time as a Missouri Tiger. He finished with 11 points as well as four rebounds.
“It was special tonight,” Rosburg said. “It’s hard to put into words. Looking back on my four years, I’m so proud to have played for Missouri.”
Rosburg finished the season averaging 7.7 points per game, by far his best seasonal average in his four-year career at Missouri.
“When you watch him on film, he’s really really skilled,” White said.” He’s got good feet. I know it was senior night for him. I think he’s a terrific player.”
The Tigers are 19–43 in Anderson’s tenure. Missouri will not partake in the SEC Tournament as a result of [self-imposed sanctions from NCAA rules violations committed under Frank Haith’s tenure](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2016/1/20/timeline-what-led-missouri-basketballs-ncaa-violat/).
