University of Missouri

Missouri Tigers basketball vs. Alabama on Senior Day: Time, TV and a prediction

The details

Tipoff: 1:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Missouri

TV: SEC Network

Radio: KMBZ (98.1 FM)

Projected lineups

P

No.

Alabama

Ht.

Yr.

PPG

F

3

Alex Reese

6-9Jr.9.1

G

23

John Petty Jr.6-5Jr.15.0

G

5Jaden Shackelford6-3Fr.15.1

G

2

Kira Lewis Jr.6-3So.18.5

G

0

James Bolden6-0Gr.8.4

P

No.

Missouri

Ht.

Yr.

PPG

F

14

Reed Nikko6-10Sr.5.0

F

24

Kobe Brown6-7Fr.5.9

G

4

Javon Pickett

6-5So.6.6

G

12

Dru Smith 6-3R-Jr.12.5

G

1

Xavier Pinson

6-2So.11.2

About Alabama (16-14, 8-9 SEC): The Crimson Tide showed they were a dangerous team throughout the season, but a loss to last-place Vanderbilt hurt their chances at an NCAA Tournament bid. Alabama is led by Kira Lewis Jr., John Petty Jr. and Jaden Shackelford, all of whom are dangerous scoring. Last time the teams met, John Lewis also torched the Tigers on the offensive end. KenPom ranks them No. 53.

About Missouri (14-16, 6-11 SEC): The Tigers, after showing improved play, have dropped their last two games, falling into a tie at No. 11 in the SEC. The offense has been led by Xavier Pinson and Dru Smith, but it’s been a struggle to find other scoring options. Mizzou forward Jeremiah Tilmon is back in the mix, which is a major help for the Tigers. KenPom has them at No. 104.

Prediction: It’s an important game Saturday for SEC Tournament seeding purposes. The Tigers can still earn the No. 10 seed and get a bye through the first round, but they need a few factors to go their way. Mizzou is a much stronger team at home, and with it being Senior Day for Reed Nikko, it should give them a much-needed advantage. We’ll say the Tigers pull off a victory to send Nikko out on a high note.

Missouri 68, Alabama 62

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