Despite loss, Mizzou basketball’s Kobe Brown turns in career day at Arkansas
With the Missouri Tigers down two points to the Arkansas Razorbacks and hoping to find the equalizer on Saturday, they had the perfect fastbreak chance to do so. A Xavier Pinson pass found Kobe Brown, who attacked the basket.
After what appeared like some contact, Brown was stripped of the ball as it bounced away and called in favor of Arkansas. Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin was visibly upset at the lack of a foul call, earning a bench warning.
A few moments later, Arkansas guard Desi Sills hit a three-pointer to make it a five-point lead. In what could’ve been a game-tying layup or at least two free throws, the Hogs took a five-point swing.
“There was contact the whole game, I should’ve made the play,” Brown said.
When asked about the call, Martin smiled for a few seconds and added he thought there should’ve been a foul call. But it still came down to Brown.
Mizzou also had a chance to tie or win the game with plenty of time remaining. But the Tigers fell flat to the Hogs’ three-point shooting in a 78-68 loss.
“Make the referee make the call,” Martin said. “Like I told (Brown), force him to make a call. That’s what you got shoulders for. Utilize your shoulders and be assertive.”
Despite the play, Brown had his best game of his career. He scored a career-high 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his first career double-double. When the Tigers were hot early to grab a 13-point lead, Brown was a major centerpiece in the effort.
At one point, the freshman went coast to coast for a fastbreak layup, showcasing some speed and handles. Martin has noted in the past he predicts Brown will transition more to a guard role because Brown has the skillset to do so.
But right now, one of the forward’s greatest strengths is as a post-up player.
“He did a good job rebounding,” Martin said of Brown. “He did a good job being assertive on defensive, being aggressive. Want to post more, that was great. We have to do, as a staff, get him in a position where he’s posting more. He’s an advantage for us down there, and he’s improving.”
Tilmon cleared, but needs reps
Mizzou forward Jeremiah Tilmon was available to play Saturday, but Martin kept him out of the game. Tilmon hasn’t played since Feb. 4, when he recorded 12 minutes of action against Texas A&M. Before his one-game return, Tilmon missed a month because of a stress fracture in his left foot. An apparent re-injury kept him sidelined the past few weeks.
While Martin said Tilmon is cleared to play by the doctors, Tilmon hasn’t practiced in recent weeks. It’s why Martin kept him on the bench on Saturday.
The Tigers were also without Mark Smith (lower back) and Evan Yerkes (illness) against Arkansas.
“He still needs to get reps under his belt in practice to be in game situations,” Martin said of Tilmon. “To be fair to him, just let him get down the floor a little bit more.”
Pinson flashy, but cools down
After a dominant four-game stretch, Pinson was a bit rockier in his performance Saturday. He had 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds, including an impressive pass that found Tray Jackson that stretched Mizzou’s lead to 13 points.
Pinson was still his attack-first self, but shot 5 for 13 in an inefficient night. He also had five turnovers. While he played well, there were some struggles.
While Pinson and Dru Smith each had 15 points, the Arkansas backcourt was too much for the Tigers. Isaiah Joe had 21 points in returning from his injury, while Mason Jones added 12 points of his own.