Down two starters, Missouri basketball can’t find shots in loss to South Carolina
Despite a stagnant offense and another slow start, the Missouri Tigers cut what was a commanding South Carolina lead to nine points in the second half on Saturday.
Fresh off a massive comeback victory over Georgia, the Tigers (10-11, 2-6 SEC) looked like they were headed to another close finish. But the Gamecocks (13-8, 5-3) ripped off a 9-0 run, firmly extinguishing any momentum the Tigers mustered in a 76-54 loss.
It was another ugly loss for a woeful offense, one shorthanded without guard Mark Smith and forward Jeremiah Tilmon. Both were considered game-time decisions, but neither participated in pregame warmups and didn’t play.
Even while missing two of their three top scorers, Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin said they still have guys who can make shots. But as part of a 32.8 percent shooting performance, the South Carolina defense slowed the Tigers to a halt. Mizzou knew it was playing a foul-prone team, but failed to capitalize as the Gamecocks soared.
“Of course you miss a guy you count on for production,” Martin said of Mark Smith. “That point is understood. But we have other guys who are capable of making shots. If you have open shots, we expect those shots to fall.”
Despite facing one of the foul-heaviest teams in the nation, the Tigers only shot three free throws in the first half. They were more aggressive in the second half with 12 free-throw attempts, but it wasn’t enough in the comeback attempt. According to KenPom.com, the Gamecocks were 352nd of 353 teams in defensive free-throw rate.
It meant the Tigers needed to drive into the lane to produce offense. While they got to the basket often, guard Javon Pickett said they were jumping off one foot too many times. Instead of going up with the intention to shoot, they either looked for passes or anticipated fouls. It’s why the Gamecocks collected nine blocks on the Tigers.
“We were getting to the rack, getting to the goal and stuff like that,” Pickett said. “Just gotta continue to go up strong. That’s just on us, on the players.”
Martin said South Carolina did well in denying the Tigers passes. The game plan again then forces the Tigers to drive in the lane. So once a Gamecocks defender helps off-ball, that’s Mizzou’s best chance to make them pay through drop-offs to a forward or a kick-out for a three-pointer, Martin said.
But once again, it came down to making shots. Instead of loosening the South Carolina defense, the Tigers missed open looks as the defense clamped down.
“Some guys were passive on the perimeter, going east-west drives,” Martin said. “But I thought Dru, (Pinson) and Javon allowed a good situation, allowing us to get downhill. But again, their collapsing defense stopped those guys. It’s up to the next guys to make the next play.”
In Mark Smith’s place, Martin turned to guard Xavier Pinson in the starting lineup. While Pinson — coming off an impressive performance against Georgia — led the Tigers with 12 points, it was an inefficient night for the guard. He finished 3 for 11, and despite shooting 3 for 4 on three-pointers, was 0 for 7 on two-pointers.
“We just didn’t get exactly what we needed,” Pinson said. “We just gotta drive harder and get those looks that we want. For the most part, we got a lot of shots that we liked. We just gotta knock them down.”
The Tigers missed two of their three leading scorers in Mark Smith and Tilmon. While Tilmon hasn’t suited up the last eight games, Saturday was the first time this season Mark Smith missed a game.
It meant adjusting in practice throughout the week, including inserting Pinson into the starting lineup, despite Martin liking the Chicago native off the bench. Mark Smith also spaces the floor as Mizzou’s best shooter, which makes life easier for everyone on the offense.
Pinson and Mitchell Smith were also in foul trouble for most of the game. Each finished with four fouls. It thinned an even shorter rotation as the Tigers’ once-proud depth was shot.
Both Tilmon and Mark Smith are considered day to day with their injuries, Martin said. The Tigers need them as soon as possible as they next travel to Texas A&M for a game at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
“For the most part, we always feel confident,” Pinson said. “We just gotta lock in and do what’s necessary and needed to get the win. When we were down nine or 10, we just gotta stay locked in the whole rest of the game and get exactly what we need.”
This story was originally published February 1, 2020 at 8:35 PM.