Mizzou basketball’s Parker Braun provides spark as Tigers battle thin depth
Missouri forward Parker Braun timed his jump perfectly off a missed Torrence Watson three-pointer. As Braun rose, the ball bounced perfectly to him as he soared for the put-back dunk late in the first half on Tuesday.
As the 8,677 fans in attendance at Mizzou Arena exploded in celebration, there was one problem: a foul call. Braun was called for an offensive foul, as on first glance, it appeared he went over the top of Mississippi forward Khadim Sy, at least as seen by the officials.
It wiped off two points for Mizzou and gave two free throws to the Rebels, who were in the double bonus. But perhaps it wasn’t a foul. According to Braun, referee Pat Adams came to him later and admitted it was a missed call on the redshirt freshman.
“It was just me kind of crashing the glass,” Braun said of the play. “He kind of saw it as me going over someone’s back. Can’t really blame that.”
While guard Xavier Pinson was the headliner after scoring a career-high 32 points, Braun provided valuable minutes off the bench for the Tigers in their 71-68 win over Mississippi. Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin turned to Braun and he recorded career highs with 24 minutes, six points, seven rebounds and four blocks.
The outing came just days after former Mizzou star Sophie Cunningham tweeted in support of Braun playing more for the Tigers. Braun also had two marquee dunks in Mizzou’s win over Auburn, including one late that put an exclamation point on the upset.
Braun’s fluctuating role has been a major part of his season. He saw semi-consistent action earlier this season but has been stuck on the bench mostly. So his long appearance for the Tigers was a welcome sign.
“It’s gotta be preparation,” Braun said. “I would never say it’s difficult, but it’s just being patient, being ready for your opportunity.”
Martin played nine of 11 available players on Tuesday. The only two healthy Tigers who didn’t see the floor were Axel Okongo and Brooks Ford. Mizzou was without Jeremiah Tilmon (stress fracture), Mark Smith (lower back) and Evan Yerkes (illness) against the Rebels.
That thin depth is further compounded by how Mizzou’s schedule played out. The Tigers were on the road for a stretch of six of nine games. They also played seven weeks without a day off because they played their SEC schedule primarily with Tuesday and Saturday games. While they don’t practice on Wednesday, they still have to go to class, Martin said.
“Seven straight weeks of just going,” Martin said. “I’m really proud of our guys. They’re young and they’re just going.”
Got the ‘W’ and looking forward
While Pinson scored 32 points, guard Dru Smith added 17 points of his own. But he didn’t do it efficiently, going 4 for 14 on field goals. He supplemented it by going 9 for 10 on free throws to salvage the night.
“W, that’s how I look at it,” Martin said. “It’s a boxing match, it’s a W. He brings it to the table. He puts his hard hat on. That’s all you ask for.”
For the Tigers, they started well entering a crucial stretch that’ll determine their standing in the SEC. But Martin isn’t looking past the noon Saturday game at Arkansas. While the Tigers could fight to get into the NIT or make a run in the SEC Tournament, Martin said he isn’t looking that far ahead yet.
“Next game,” Martin said. “We’re going to Fayetteville and try to win a ball game.”