Missouri Tigers basketball vs. Mississippi Rebels: TV, tipoff time and a prediction
THE DETAILS
Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Missouri
TV: SEC Network
Radio: KMBZ (98.1 FM)
PROJECTED LINEUPS
P | No. | Mississippi | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 3 | Khamid Sy | 6-10 | Jr. | 9.2 |
F | 5 | KJ Buffen | 6-7 | So. | 9.8 |
F | 0 | Blake Hinson | 6-7 | So. | 10.5 |
G | 2 | Devontae Shuler | 6-2 | Jr. | 11.6 |
G | 4 | Breein Tyree | 6-2 | Sr. | 19.9 |
P | No. | Missouri | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 14 | Reed Nikko | 6-10 | R-Sr. | 4.5 |
F | 24 | Kobe Brown | 6-7 | Fr. | 5.9 |
G | 4 | Javon Pickett | 6-5 | So. | 7.3 |
G | 12 | Dru Smith | 6-3 | R-Jr. | 12.3 |
G | 1 | Xavier Pinson | 6-2 | So. | 9.4 |
About Mississippi (13-12, 4-8 SEC): After a brutal start to the year, the Rebels have perked up in SEC play, winning three of their past four games. They fell just short to No. 10 Kentucky last time out, but otherwise played solid basketball. They’re led by senior Breein Tyree, whose 19.9 points per game is one of the best averages in the conference. KenPom ranks them No. 87.
About Missouri (12-13, 4-8 SEC): The Tigers are trending upward, winning two of their past three games. After blowing out then-No. 11 Auburn, there’s some optimism around MU coach Cuonzo Martin’s program. The duo of Xavier Pinson and Dru Smith have worked well off each other as starting guards. While Mizzou misses Jeremiah Tilmon and Mark Smith, the Tigers have played impressive basketball in recent games. KenPom has them No. 103.
Prediction: If Mizzou has any chance to earn a bye in the SEC Tournament, it needs to win this one at home against a 4-8 Mississippi team. The Tigers have played well at home to a 10-3 record, giving them a major edge facing the Rebels, who are 1-7 on the road. We’ll say Mizzou wins this one as it seems like the players have an extra bit of confidence in them. While consistency has been an issue, the way the Tigers are playing — attacking the basket, drawing fouls — provides some hope predicting game to game.
Missouri 70, Mississippi 65