Missouri at Alabama

Recap

The Big Storyline: Both teams turned in respectable performances but left valuable tenths on the table. Missouri struggled to break 49 on bars due to compounding form breaks while Alabama had falls across several events. 

Implications: Both teams’ respective performances will help their NQS but won’t be enough to move up in the SEC rankings. Alabama finds itself unusually vulnerable heading into SECs, currently sitting in the fourth and final spot for the evening session followed closely by Kentucky and Missouri. 

Records: Luisa Blanco earned a season high 39.725 in the all-around while Lexi Graber scored her second-consecutive 9.975 on floor, tying her career high.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 9 Missouri at No. 7 Alabama

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: Alabama is coming off a tough loss to LSU, the same LSU Missouri upset for the win two days later. The parity among the top six SEC teams cannot be overemphasized, and this meet is a perfect example of that. With all things equal (i.e., judges actually judging), either team could win on the day.  

You Can Fast Forward, but not Through This: Both teams’ beam lineups are must watch gymnastics and feature two of the best, Luisa Blanco and Helen Hu. If you like skill variety, be sure to catch Missouri’s bars lineup. From lead-off Amaya Marshall’s unbelievably high full-twisting double tuck to Amari Celestine’s eponymous stalder pike half, the Tigers have some of the coolest dismounts in the NCAA.