Zone defense proves effective for Missouri

Missouri surprised Texas A&M by playing zone defense almost exclusively Saturday, a strategy that helped the Tigers stay closer than expected on the road against what is now the nation’s fourth-ranked team.

Coach Kim Anderson said MU’s struggles with on-ball defense and consistent foul trouble prompted the reliance on zone, a departure from his background and coaching preference.

“We just felt like that was the best way to maybe keep them off balance a little bit, maybe stagnate them a little,” Anderson said. “I think it worked for the most part. They didn’t shoot the ball as well, especially early.”

Missouri limited A&M to 36.2 percent shooting, the Aggies’ third-worst effort of the season. Don’t be shocked if the Tigers continue to rely increasingly on a zone.

“It’s something we’ve always practiced, every day really,” Anderson said. “Whether or not we use it in the future just depends on matchups and who we are playing.”

Against A&M, Missouri’s success fed on itself.

“Once we saw that they were taking tough shots and not making a lot of shots, it really energized us, because what we were doing was working,” MU senior forward Ryan Rosburg said.

It represented a significant step for the Tigers in at least one respect.

“I think that’s probably the best zone we played all season,” freshman guard Terrence Phillips said. “I’m talking about practice, too. We communicate really well and kept the ball out of the middle a lot. It helped us control the penetration.”

Missouri even managed a 45-40 rebounding edge against A&M, allaying Anderson’s biggest concern about utilizing a zone.

Unfortunately, it might not be the best option against No. 20 Kentucky at 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky.

The Wildcats’ leading scorer, freshman Jamal Murray, has connected on 50 three-pointers this season, and sophomore Tyler Ulis and freshman Isaiah Briscoe are adept at penetrating zone defenses.

“That poses a problem for it,” Anderson said.

Of course, it still might be better than the alternative.

“(Zone defense) definitely simplifies things for us,” Rosburg said. “We have to guard the ball better. That’s just a fact in whatever defense we’re in. … It’s definitely been a weakness for us. The zone helps in that regard.”

Missouri might try returning to its staple man defense early against Kentucky and shift to zone as a way to throw off the rhythm of coach John Calipari’s squad or in the event of foul trouble.

Regardless, the Tigers are all too aware of what happens if they don’t show up ready to play against the Wildcats.

Missouri suffered an 86-37 demolition last season at Rupp Arena, the third-worst loss in program history.

“We bury it, for the most part, but use it as an example of what can happen if we don’t play with poise and under control,” Rosburg said. “We played into the environment there and just got stomped. … Basically, we’ll watch that game and, everything we did, don't do.”

This story was originally published January 26, 2016 at 9:36 PM with the headline "Zone defense proves effective for Missouri."