Mizzou must avoid creating a Cinderella story

Mizzou head coach Frank Haith will need to have his Tigers ready to play Norfolk State on Friday.  Mizzou, the two seed in the West Regional, will try to avoid any of the drama that was seen when number one seed Syracuse had a close scare against sixteen seed UNC-Asheville. - Photo courtesy of Getty Images

After watching number one seed Syracuse narrowly escape with a win over sixteen seed UNC-Asheville during the opening round of NCAA Tournament play on Thursday, Missouri Tigers fans should be on the edge of their seats.

No, not because of any curse or outlandish conspiracy.

Mizzou fans should be on the edge of their seats simply because upsets happen in the NCAA Tournament and Mizzou could fall victim, like Syracuse almost did, to the dreaded Cinderella if they are not careful on Friday when they open their NCAA Tournament play against Norfolk State. Mizzou will need to bring their best effort and should learn from the near-debacle that Syracuse faced.

This year's version of Mizzou basketball, under first year coach Frank Haith, has been one that has saw a senior laden team gel into a formative seven man unit that plays pressure defense, shares the ball offensively, and can literally run the opposition out of the gymnasium if they are not ready for the Tigers' speed attack.

But Norfolk State, who boasts 25 wins of their own this season, wants to be this year's Cinderella.  They want to be this year's Butler, or this year's VCU.  This Mizzou team, with expectations at an all-time high, just can not let that happen.

It is no time to get complacent.  It is not the time for Mizzou to suddenly feel over-confident.  The Tigers can not take Norfolk State lightly.

It is highly unlikely they will and Mizzou should prevail.  Mizzou is a 21 point favorite and playing very well after claiming their second Big 12 Tournament Championship in four seasons.

But if March Madness has taught us anything on Thursday and in year's past, anything can happen, to any team, at any time.

There is little reason to doubt that Kim English and company will not be ready.  Mizzou has come to play every game this season in route to a 30-4 record.

But Mizzou fans should be a little bit uneasy after Thursday afternoon's near scare.  Fans should not overlook Norfolk State and hopefully the Mizzou players, who are so easy to love, won't do so either.