Mizzou basketball grinds Arkansas on the glass, defensively in overtime win
Even when the shots aren’t falling for the Missouri Tigers offense, they can always control their effort level. It’s the same toughness that defines a team led by Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin.
It’s why when the Tigers were “out-toughed” by Texas A&M last Tuesday, it’s what stood out in defeat. It’s not just that the shots weren’t falling, the aggressiveness was lacking in a hapless, blowout road loss.
So when the Tigers faced an undersized Arkansas team on Saturday at Mizzou Arena, Martin and his staff drilled into them the game plan. They needed to throw the first punch in the game.
Mizzou did just that in an 83-79 overtime win over the Hogs. Even when the shots weren’t falling — an issue all season — Mizzou controlled what it could in its effort level. Ultimately, it grinded down Arkansas in snapping a two-game losing streak.
“If you’re giving effort throughout the whole game, balls seem to go your way,” Mizzou forward Mitchell Smith said. “Even if you make a mistake, it’s okay, you’re playing hard. You play hard, you give effort, it just seems to work out in the end.”
Coming into the game, the Tigers knew Arkansas switched on defense through every position, forward Reed Nikko said. It’s why Nikko set loads of ball screens for guard Xavier Pinson. Either Pinson was matched up on a Hogs forward, leading to quick access to the paint, or Nikko had a guard on him, making post-ups easier.
The game plan worked to perfection. Nikko finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds, a force early as he feasted on the Hogs’ short frontcourt. Foul trouble eventually knocked him out — including five other players in the game — but when he was on the court, the Tigers utilized Nikko’s size.
But it was Pinson who was the vital difference-maker. The 6-foot-2 guard finished with a career-high 24 points, adding seven rebounds and three assists. It wasn’t an efficient night for the Chicago native as he finished 5 for 15 on field goals, but he attacked the basket and drew fouls consistently.
“We just had the ability and the opportunity to drive more than usual,” Pinson said. “We took it every time we could. I was trying to drive as hard as possible so I can put confidence into my teammates.”
Martin pointed out how Arkansas is a solid three-point defending team. But that means defenders stretch all the way out to the arc. To beat Arkansas, the Tigers needed to drive to break down the Hogs’ defense.
The game plan led to prime pickings for Pinson, who led the Tigers with 41 minutes. Javon Pickett also had 14 points, while Dru Smith added 11 points.
“That was probably a blessing for us,” Martin said. “We couldn’t settle. The ones we had were good looks. But you have to drive the ball and you have to make plays at the rim. They’re athletic, they’re quick, especially when they have four perimeter guys who can move.”
But where Mizzou shined was on defense and the rebounding battle — just as Martin intends. The Tigers out-rebounded the Hogs 52-35, taking advantage of multiple second-chance opportunities.
While Hogs guard Mason Jones, the SEC’s leading scorer, earned 17 points, it was an inefficient night. He shot 3 for 14 on field goals, his point total supplemented by him going 11 for 14 on free throws.
It was an ugly game for both sides as Mizzou shot 38.3 percent while Arkansas was just a tick better at 38.7 percent. The difference came down to who outlasted the other in overtime.
“Coach Martin basically bases toughness of how many rebounds you get,” Mitchell Smith said. “It doesn’t matter about the points. You get the first 10 rebounds, you’re out there playing hard, playing tough. He really pushed that on me and Reed. You saw us go out there.”
Despite the Tigers missing two of their top three scorers in Mark Smith and Jeremiah Tilmon, they prevailed in the Rally For Rhyan game, improving to 5-0 in the annual event. The game is dedicated to Rhyan Loos, who was diagnosed with cancer when she was five. While she’s cancer-free and in remission now, the event is still in honor of the now 9-year-old to raise funds for pediatric cancer.
For Nikko, the game’s personal. Rhyan’s dad, Brad Loos, was an assistant under former coach Kim Anderson. Loos originally recruited Nikko, which is why the game means so much for the forward.
“Me and Mitch, we were here, we played for Loos,” Nikko said. “We made it very clear. We don’t lose this game. This is the game that means a lot more than just basketball. So to be able to get this win is hugely important to us.”
While the Tigers defeated the Hogs, they’re back on the road next, this time against No. 18 LSU at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Mizzou is 0-5 in SEC road games, meaning it needs to display the same toughness to pull out an upset against a ranked opponent.
“Even on games where we have played like this, he’s going to continue to challenge us,” Nikko said of Martin. “That’s just the type of guy he is. He’s an aggressive coach. He wants that. That’s probably the key to what worked this game, just that aggression from start to finish.”