Mizzou Tigers men’s basketball vs. No. 15 Alabama: Prediction, time, TV, lineups
THE DETAILS
When: 2:30 p.m. Central time Saturday
Where: Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Missouri
TV: SEC Network
Radio: KMBZ (98.1 FM)
Betting line: Alabama by 13.5
About No. 15 Alabama (11-3, 2-0 SEC): The No. 15 Crimson Tide have perhaps one of the weirdest resumes in the country. Alabama has taken down the likes of No. 4 Gonzaga (then No. 3), No. 12 Houston (then No. 14) and No. 18 Tennessee (then No. 14), but has also lost to Iona, Davidson and in blowout fashion to a teetering Memphis team. Most recently, Nate Oats’ squad defeated Florida, 83-70, on the road. The Crimson Tide have the most efficient offense in the league, also ranking ninth in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency, according to KenPom. Much of that success boils down to Alabama’s backcourt, which is considered one of the best in the country behind guards Jaden Shackelford (16.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg), Jahvon Quinerly (15.2 ppg, 4.4 apg), Keon Ellis (12.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.1 apg) and JD Davison (7.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.4 apg). KenPom ranks Alabama No. 16 (as of Friday afternoon).
About Missouri (6-7, 0-1 SEC): The Tigers started SEC play with a 83-56 loss to then-No. 18 Kentucky, marking their fifth defeat by a margin of at least 21 points this season. They were without head coach Cuonzo Martin, who tested positive for COVID-19. Since then, Mizzou’s Wednesday game against Mississippi State was postponed because of more positive cases and contact tracing within the program. The team has been limited in practice this week because of health and safety protocols, and come Saturday, Mizzou will only have nine of 12 players available. Martin wouldn’t reveal which three players are out. KenPom ranks Missouri No. 160 (as of Friday afternoon).
PREDICTION
The Missouri Tigers are back in action for the first time in 10 days when they take on the No. 15 Alabama Crimson Tide at Mizzou Arena.
Mizzou is clearly at a disadvantage because of the COVID-19 disruptions over the past week and the limited roster available. But even at full strength, it would be hard to see the Tigers pulling off a win over Alabama.
Alabama coach Nate Oats’ offense thrives on playing at a fast tempo and firing off flurries of three-pointers. Though Alabama hasn’t been as lethal from deep in terms of accuracy this year as it was last season, it takes so many that once some start to fall, opponents simply can’t keep up.
In case it wasn’t apparent, Missouri has struggled tremendously guarding the three this season. The Tigers are allowing Division I opponents to make 38.1% of their three-point attempts, which ranks 330th in the country. That doesn’t make for a good combo against the Crimson Tide.
The Tigers have been blown out against every high-tier opponent they’ve faced this season, and I don’t see how that possibly plays out any differently given the lack of practice this week and only nine players available.
Alabama 87, Missouri 62
