Missouri Tigers welcome SEMO in Friday hoops home opener. Here’s what to know

Coming off an 88-67 road win over Howard to open its season, the Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team now begins a seven-game homestand against non-conference opponents.

That run begins Friday, when Mizzou plays host to SEMO at Mizzou Arena in a game that’s scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.

Monday’s win over Howard saw the Tigers take control in the paint. Mizzou scored 46 points in the paint, exhibiting the same size advantage down low that it did against Kansas State in the exhibition victory. Senior center Shawn Phillips Jr. led the Tigers on offense, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in his debut.

Despite the 21-point win, Mizzou coach Dennis Gates says there is significant room for improvement heading into his team’s first home test of the season. The Tigers shot only 10-for-21 from the line and turned the ball over 15 times in the win.

“We turned the ball over, it put us in a great learning environment,” Gates said. “And obviously we gotta execute free throws. ... We just gotta concentrate and execute on the free throw line, and we weren’t able to do that. So being able to take those situations and the turnovers back, I think that will give us a different outlook on that game.”

While the majority of Mizzou’s offense ran through the paint, the Tigers were also able to excel beyond the arc. All nine players who touched the court for the visitors found themselves on the scoresheet. In just under 12 minutes of playing time, graduate guard Jacob Crews shot 2-for-3 from 3-point range.

For Crews, the minutes may be fewer, but the preparation remains the same.

“I’m fine with whatever I have to play, you know, understanding that I trust my teammates, I know how good they are, I know the work they put in,” Crews said. “So it was just understanding that everybody’s gonna have their night, that we are a deep team, and that everybody is together in this.”

Mizzou’s first home opponent, SEMO is coming off a 92-67 defeat against St. Louis Monday night in St. Louis. Sixth-year coach Brad Korn led the Redhawks to the Ohio Valley Conference regular season title last season.

They fell short in the conference tournament, but Gates understands the challenge the Redhawks present to his Tigers at home.

“They’re scrappy, man, they’re very good, they’re very talented,” Gates said. “When you watch the film and see how they control the game, they do a good job. ... They’re going to be excited to play us. We can’t allow their passion to outmatch ours.”

The Redhawks had three scorers hit double figures in their opener, led by junior guard B.J. Ward, who clocked 32 minutes and 16 points. Mizzou understands that for the visitors, the chance to knock off their in-state rivals is something that will provide more then enough motivation heading into Friday night’s contest.

“We understand we’re not playing SEC-level teams, but that doesn’t mean these teams aren’t gonna give us their best shot,” Crews said. “I was a mid-major player, I knew what it was like to come and play a high-major team. ... So I mean just understanding every opponent’s going to come in, especially in a non-conference, to knock us off.”

On the injury front, the Tigers will once again be without junior guard Trent Pierce, sophomore guard Annor Boateng and redshirt freshman center Trent Burns. Pierce participated in practice earlier this week, but did not practice Thursday. Gates also described Boateng as being “day-to-day.”

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