Five takeaways from Missouri’s win over Kennesaw State in the Paradise Jam
Missouri squeezed by Kennesaw State 55-52 on Friday in the first round of the Paradise Jam behind 17 points and six rebounds from Blue Springs South graduate Kevin Puryear.
The Tigers next face Oregon State in the tournament semifinals at 4:30 p.m. Sunday in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Here are five takeaways from MU’s ugly win:
Get used to Ronnie Suggs: It appears the 6-foot-6 walk-on is going to play a role for the Tigers. He got in the game against Iowa State with six minutes left and played 11 on Friday against the Owls. Suggs played six more minutes than freshman point guard Xavier Pinson, who was benched in the second half after a botched no-look pass. Suggs gives Missouri some size and experience from his time at Bradley.
What’s this team’s identity?: It certainly isn’t scoring after putting up just 55 points against the Owls and 59 against Iowa State. MU went more than six minutes between baskets in the second half. It’s not ball security either, so what’s the one thing this team can hang its hat on? Anybody?
Kudos to the seniors: Games like this require the upperclassmen to step up if MU wants to win. Puryear and Jordan Geist but had crucial baskets to stop offensive droughts and free throws to ice the game. Missouri is going to need regular performances out of Puryear given the lack of proven scorers on the team.
The freshman aren’t where MU needs them to be: Torrence Watson went scoreless in 14 minutes, Pinson only played five minutes and Javon Pickett had three points, four rebounds and three assists. And usually that’s OK. They’re freshmen. Pickett has been decent but MU is in the situation where it’s all hands on deck. Mizzou is going to need more out of these guys ASAP or it could be a long season.
A win is a win: At the end of the day, Missouri beat a team that it should. Oregon State is a good test for Missouri to see where it is against a Power Five team after losing at Iowa State. This is a game Missouri should have won and it did. If MU goes 2-1 in the Paradise Jam, then it was a good showing.
Alex Schiffer
Alex Schiffer covers University of Missouri athletics for The Star.
