Tigers show some game with Mizzou Madness

From surprising singing to highlight dunks, the Mizzou Madness basketball event served as a preseason hype session for Tigers fans. It’s hard to glean much off an early-season scrimmage, but the event offered the audience a chance to see the men’s and women’s teams for the first time this year.

Coaches Robin Pingeton and Cuonzo Martin both addressed the crowd as their teams warmed up for the scrimmages.

“This year, the SEC is the best it’s been in the history of the SEC,” Martin said. “I don’t know if that’s good or bad.”

Here are a few takeaways from the event:

Men’s

Tilmon tried a three: Jeremiah Tilmon has said he’s been working on his outside shooting, and the 6-foot-10 sophomore quickly tried to make an impression in the men’s scrimmage. He shot from three-point range within minutes of the scrimmage starting. The shot looked good out of his hands — Jontay Porter raised his arms in excitement — but it clanked off the rim.

Tilmon missed another three late in the scrimmage, but he showed his abilities in the post are still intact, making a highlight-reel dunk.

Men’s ball handlers: Missouri could be low on ball handlers this year, depending on whether the NCAA grants transfers Dru Smith and Mark Smith eligibility this year. The two Smiths played on the same team on Saturday, and both spent time handling the ball for the black team.

Senior Jordan Geist and freshman Xavier Pinson both brought the ball up for the gold team. Pinson also had a dunk in his first appearance in a Missouri uniform.

The 10-minute scrimmage devolved into a glorified shoot-around as it progressed, so the late-game ball handlers were not telling of Missouri’s future plans at point guard.

The Tigers are without guard Kassius Robertson, who used his last year of eligibility last season. Robertson, who was a key ball handler, now plays professionally overseas.

New faces make first impressions: Forward Mitchell Smith, who sat out the 2017-2018 season with a knee injury, was surrounded by players with his last name. Both Dru and Mark were on his team, and he got help from Dru during the scrimmage when the Evansville transfer tossed him an alley-oop.

Christian Guess, a late addition to Mizzou’s freshman class, threw down a dunk on a fastbreak alley-oop from Pinson. Guess danced after the shot, pretending to raise the roof of Mizzou Arena.

Blue Valley alum Parker Braun, a walk-on, made a highlight dunk too. He streaked under the basket to set up a reverse slam. He also signed an autograph for a young fan following the scrimmage.

Ronnie Suggs made his first Missouri basket after sitting out last year due to transfer restrictions.

Women’s

Smith and Aldridge’s black team take down Cunningham’s gold squad: Amber Smith had a hot start to her season, helping take down star senior Sophie Cunningham’s team in the opening scrimmage. Smith collected two quick buckets, including a three, to open the game. She then added another three later in the evening.

All-SEC guard Cunningham scored the gold team’s first six points, all of which came under the basket. Smith, who averaged 9.3 points per game last year, teamed up with returning point guard Lauren Aldridge to lead black to victory.

Levy can hoop … and sing: Before the player showcase began, freshman Akira Levy walked to midcourt holding a microphone.

“Can you guys here me?” she asked the crowd.

The microphone was indeed turned on, and Levy used it to put on a show. She sang an Alicia Keys song, and her teammates roared with approval.

Levy also showed off basketball skill during the game, making a layup in her first time playing in front of Missouri fans.