How Mizzou plans to replace Jeremiah Tilmon’s production while he’s hurt
Before the season, Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin firmly believed his Tigers could compete with any team in the Southeastern Conference.
But the belief came with one major caveat: Everyone must stay healthy.
Martin’s basketball team is weathering its first major injury blow of the season as forward Jeremiah Tilmon is out indefinitely because of a stress fracture in his left foot. Another season, another injury to a star player for Martin and Mizzou.
In replacing Tilmon’s production, his impact goes beyond the box score, Martin said. The coach pointed to Tilmon’s rim protection, regardless of if he battles foul trouble. When Tilmon is on the court, opponents are forced to single him out and acknowledge his presence, Martin said.
“He’s a guy that has a presence as a scouting report, as a game plan of how you go against him,” Martin said after Mizzou’s 69-59 loss to Tennessee. “That’s 10-plus points and other things from down in the post that you don’t get. You have to work and continue to get better, find the little things to score.”
The Tigers lose Tilmon’s defense, but the heavier blow is arguably on offense. Mizzou has struggled to score, the latest example being the loss to Tennessee as the Vols pulled away late.
Mizzou built its offense around Tilmon’s inside presence. While his averages of 9.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game don’t pop off the page, he’s a dominant inside presence.
The 6-foot-10 forward drew near-constant double teams when the Tigers fed him the ball, a product of Mizzou’s woeful shooting percentages. But when Tilmon was making the correct reads and decisions, it led to open outside jumpers and driving lanes for his teammates — an area Mizzou sorely lacked for long stretches this season.
“You make subtle changes,” Martin said. “You don’t have a consistent presence where you can throw the ball down low. Another big body.”
Forward Mitchell Smith said because Tilmon takes up so much space in the lane, there are bound to be adjustments for Mizzou. Responsibility also falls on Smith and other forwards to post up more to utilize that new-found space.
“We have to rely on driving the ball more to the rack and shooting,” forward Tray Jackson said. “With him being in the inside, a post player, that opens up the three-point more for us. With him out, we have to rely more on dribble drives and picks.”
After lingering pain, Tilmon elected for a second opinion on his injury. An MRI result on Monday showed the stress fracture in Tilmon’s left foot. Leading up to the diagnosis, Tilmon dealt with a right foot injury that nearly kept him out of the Braggin’ Rights win vs. Illinois. He played 17 minutes but was clearly limited running up and down the floor.
Tilmon then sat out the Chicago State win before returning for the Kentucky loss. But again, Tilmon appeared restricted, playing just eight minutes against the Wildcats, though that was also partly because of foul trouble.
Tilmon’s injury means more minutes for Mizzou’s forwards. Reed Nikko took Tilmon’s spot in the starting lineup the past three games. Smith has started the past six games; his ability to guard multiple positions and make three-pointers proving to be a valuable asset for the Tigers.
Other players who should see an uptick in playing time are Parker Braun and Jackson. Both subbed into the game against Tennessee on Tuesday. Jackson made the most of his opportunity, leading Mizzou with a career-high 11 points.
“Our front court is extremely talented,” Smith said. “Coach (Chris) Hollender says this all the time, we’re the energy of the team, the front court. Tray and Reed, they give all they got. ... We’re going to be a big part of this team and we have to continue to show up each game.”
While Mizzou battles through the opening games of SEC play, Smith pointed out how there’s an urgency for the Tigers. They host Florida at 7:30 p.m. Saturday after an 0-2 start to conference play.
“It’s next man up,” Smith said. “(Tilmon), he’s in there supporting us, he’s got confidence in us. He wants to see us do well. We just gotta come together and play basketball.”