Missouri-Southern Mississippi preview
4 p.m. Sunday at Mizzou Arena
• TV/RADIO:ESPNU; KMBZ (980 AM, 98.1 FM)
• ABOUT SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (28-6):The Golden Eagles share the basketball better than Missouri, averaging 13.9 assists compared to 10.2 for the Tigers. Southern Mississippi also forces more steals per game, 8.2 to 5.0. The Eagles’ backcourt is led by Sumner Academy graduate Neil Watson, who averages a team-high 3.9 assists with only 63 turnovers in 34 games.
• ABOUT MISSOURI (23-11):The Tigers rallied from a 13-point hole early in the second half Tuesday against Davidson for the second NIT win in program history. Missouri had been 1-7 until that 85-77 victory. Now the Tigers hope to reach the tourney quarterfinals for the first time. Freshman guard Shane Rector’s reinstatement provides much-needed bench depth in the backcourt, but it’s still a blow not to have fellow freshman Wes Clark available.
Statistically, Missouri and Southern Mississippi are very similar teams based on points per game (MU: 73.2, USM: 72.1). The Golden Eagles are marginally better from the field and three-point range, but the Tigers shoot better at the free-throw line.
| P | No. | Southern Mississippi | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
| F | 11 | Daveon Boardingham | 6-7 | Sr. | 10.5 |
| F | 22 | Aaron Brown | 6-5 | Jr. | 9.8 |
| G | 5 | Neil Watson | 5-11 | Sr. | 10.4 |
| G | 23 | Jerrold Brooks | 6-0 | Sr. | 9.7 |
| G | 24 | Michael Craig | 6-5 | Sr. | 11.2 |
| P | No. | Missouri | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
| F | 3 | Johnathan Williams III | 6-9 | Fr. | 5.8 |
| F | 45 | Keanau Post | 6-11 | Jr. | 1.5 |
| G | 5 | Jordan Clarkson | 6-5 | Jr. | 17.6 |
| G | 32 | Jabari Brown | 6-5 | Jr. | 20.1 |
| G | 33 | Earnest Ross | 6-5 | Sr. | 13.8 |
This story was originally published March 22, 2014 at 9:32 PM with the headline "Missouri-Southern Mississippi preview."