Mizzou basketball’s 11th straight loss was ugly: Takeaways vs. Mississippi State
Another one got away from Missouri basketball on Saturday. And this one matched MU’s worst defeat of the season.
The Tigers fell to Mississippi State at Mizzou Arena, losing 75-51 for their 11th consecutive loss in SEC play.
In the first half, The Tigers (8-16, 0-11 SEC) played with confidence and energy, like they did against Texas A&M on Wednesday. But after cutting a 10-point deficit to just four before halftime, Missouri’s offense vanished in the final 20 minutes.
Mississippi State (16-8, 5-6) pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Tigers 45-25.
The 24-point loss tied for Missouri’s worst margin of defeat this season. The Tigers fell 97-73 to Illinois on Dec. 22.
Missouri will get a week off before returning to the court. The Tigers will travel to Oxford, Mississippi, to take on Ole Miss. The game will be at 7:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
Until then, here are three takeaways from the Tigers’ home defeat...
Missouri can’t overcome Mississippi State’s strength
It’s been well documented how good of a defensive team Mississippi State is.
The Bulldogs came into Mizzou Arena with the nation’s 17th best adjusted defensive efficiency (points allowed per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponent). They entered Saturday as the 38th-ranked squad in defensive field-goal percentage, both stats according to KenPom.
Missouri experienced why MSU was so efficient in this department on Saturday. The Tigers shot just 34% from the field on 16-of-47 shooting, it’s worst mark in SEC play.
From behind the arc, the Tigers finished just 3-of-18, including zero makes in the second half.
MU also committed 20 turnovers.
Off nights for Noah Carter and Tamar Bates
Playing without Sean East II, who missed a second straight game with a knee contusion, was an issue for Missouri.
Also an issue: MU’s second and third scoring options couldn’t rise to the occasion.
Tamar Bates barely avoided ending his double-digit scoring streak, which now stands at 14 games. He tallied 11 points against the Bulldogs, but he shot 3-for-11 with five turnovers.
Noah Carter’s night didn’t go much better, as he finished with just seven points on 3-of-10 shooting. He added seven rebounds and four assists.
Tigers give up career day to Shakeel Moore
With 19:46 to play in the second half, Shakeel Moore knocked down a step-back 3-pointer from the right wing near the Bulldogs’ bench, extending Mississippi State’s lead to 38-28. He turned away from the shot following his release, signaling his confidence that it was going in.
The 10-point deficit for the Tigers was the closest it would get the rest of the way. For Moore, it was his fourth 3-pointer of the night, tying his career high. He was the Bulldogs’ second-leading scorer with 14 points, behind Josh Hubbard’s 16.
Moore went 5-for-6 from the field and 4-for-4 from 3. He and Hubbard combined to hit eight 3-point shots.
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