From three-pointers to transition buckets, Mizzou explosive on offense vs. Florida
The Missouri Tigers pointed just about everywhere when tasked with fixing a stalling offense.
Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin spoke on limiting turnovers, converting three-point shots, earning more transition baskets, getting to the paint more … anything to breathe new life into what was a stagnant offense.
The Tigers did all of that in their best offensive showing of the season: a 91-75 win over the Florida Gators on Saturday at Mizzou Arena. Mizzou (9-6, 1-2 SEC) seemingly couldn’t miss, burying shots as it led the Gators (10-5, 2-1) from start to finish.
“Guys just played aggressively,” guard Dru Smith said. “When there were chances to make plays, I thought everybody made plays. Got paint touches. Got other guys open. I think it just worked really well for us with everybody being aggressive.”
After scoring 59 points in back-to-back losses to open SEC play, the Tigers matched their season high in points. They shot a season-high 61.5% from the field, including 12 for 19 on three-pointers.
Going into Saturday’s game, Dru Smith said the Tigers looked to increase the pace, including running out in transition for easier baskets. It was one of the first keys to the game on the locker room whiteboard.
Whenever the Tigers grabbed a turnover with a chance to run, they did just that. It led to one of the highlights of the season: a Xavier Pinson poster dunk.
“Probably top five,” Pinson said of where he ranked the slam. “I had some good high-school dunks.”
One of the largest differences between the teams, though, was points in the paint: The Tigers outscored the Gators 40-14. When the three-pointers were falling for Mizzou, it led to more open baskets and driving lanes as the Tigers converted near the basket often.
The Mizzou defense also did well limiting the Gators. While Kerry Blackshear Jr. scored 22 points, he feasted from the free-throw line. With the Tigers constantly sending double-teams Blackshear’s way, it meant he settled for jumpers.
“Everybody did a good job getting to the rim,” Martin said. “I didn’t think we got to the line as much as we would have liked. But the effort was there.”
The guard running the Tigers’ high-functioning offense was one of their most important pieces all season: Dru Smith. He scored a season-high 22 points, adding six assists and five steals.
Florida coach Mike White praised Mizzou’s point guard, adding Dru Smith played like an all-SEC guard on Saturday. Aside from his offensive production, Smith also continued his defensive prowess as the do-it-all-guard Mizzou hoped when he transferred from Evansville.
“He’s a strong guy,” Martin said of Dru Smith. “He gets you on your hip, he’s going to make the play. He does a great job of shot-faking, and he knows how to use angles with bigger guys on him. He’s a good passer; it gives him the advantage.”
Whenever the Gators strung together a comeback attempt, Mizzou had an answer.
Florida threatened to make it a close game throughout the second half, largely off the many free throws they attempted. But the Tigers made one of their 12 three-pointers or made a lay-up on the other end.
“My teammates did a real good job with staying composed and playing with poise,” Pinson said. “They went on a run and the energy kind of went down. But we picked the energy right back up and did what we were supposed to do.”
In the past, Martin said because the guards were so focused on getting the ball to forward Jeremiah Tilmon, they would play passive. Instead of aggressively driving to the hoop or making plays, they would watch Tilmon work in the post. With Tilmon dealing with a stress fracture in his left foot, it opened up parts of Mizzou’s game.
Saturday was a bounce-back performance for the offense — especially after dropping the first two games of SEC play. With two road games at Mississippi State and Alabama next week, Martin said they’re looking for more consistency moving forward.
“We spent more time with motion offense because it’s one of the hardest things to guard, but it’s also one of the hardest things to learn and teach,” Martin said. “We feel like it gives us an advantage. It creates spacing, it creates driving opportunities, but it also creates movement on both sides of the ball.”
This story was originally published January 11, 2020 at 11:53 PM.