PowerMizzou – Tiger Tipoff Preview: Tennessee

Missouri concluded the non-convention part of 2020 without the need of a reduction, earning its maximum position considering the fact that 2012 in the procedure. Now, the No. twelve Tigers will get started SEC play with probably their toughest test nonetheless, a matchup versus No. seven Tennessee. Like Missouri, the Volunteers — picked by the media to win the league for the duration of the preseason — went 6- for the duration of non-convention play. The Volunteers have received their earlier 4 video games by an normal of just about 38 points. Here’s almost everything you will need to know to get established for the marquee matchup.

Missouri (6-) vs Tennessee (6-)

WHEN: eight:00 p.m.

In which: Mizzou Arena

Television set: SEC Network

RADIO: Tiger Radio Network (Mike Kelly, Chris Gervino)

Series: Tennessee qualified prospects 9-seven

KenPom Prediction: Tennessee sixty seven-65

one. Shoot far better. Missouri somehow managed to pull out a win in excess of Bradley past time out irrespective of shooting just twenty five.4 % from the field and fourteen.three % from behind the three-position line. That is not most likely to slice it versus the No. seven workforce in the country. Tennessee has been pretty powerful on defense this year. The Vols are tied for the ideal scoring defense in the country and rank in the best fifty nationally in both of those two-position and three position defense. They have not authorized an opponent to score extra than sixty six points in a video game this year and only a person workforce has topped 60 versus them. Offered Missouri’s shooting struggles, Tennessee seems most likely to pack the paint and dare the Tigers to shoot from outdoors. Missouri desires to get edge of some of all those chances early in the video game in purchase to open up up the floor. Finding Mark Smith back on track would be big. After producing 13 of twenty five three-position tries in the to start with 4 video games of the year, Smith has gone just one-seven the past two video games.

2. Hold your own on the glass. Tennessee grabs just about 60 % of all rebounds this year, which ranks third in the country. The Vols are similarly superior on the offensive conclusion, where by they rank 13th, as the defensive facet of the floor, where by they are 14th-ideal in the country. Rebounding, specifically on defense, was an challenge for Missouri versus Bradley. The Tigers obtained out-rebounded and gave up ten next-likelihood points. In what figures to be a tight video game, Missouri won’t be able to afford to pay for to give up a bunch of extra belongings thanks to offensive rebounds for Tennessee. On the flip facet, receiving next-likelihood chances could be big for the Tigers if they shoot like they have for a great deal of this year.

three. Get to the line. We have rather evidently proven at this position that Missouri has struggled to shoot from the perimeter. In which they have not struggled to place the ball via the basket is the totally free throw line. The Tigers have manufactured 75.6 % of totally free throw chances this year, which ranks in the best fifty nationally. They have been thriving at receiving to the line, as well, attempting extra than 20 totally free throws in each of the earlier 4 video games. Tennessee, in the meantime, has been a little bit foul-prone at times this calendar year. Cincinnati attempted 30 totally free throws versus the Vols, when St. Joseph’s obtained to the line 37 times. Missouri desires to attack the rim and test to get effortless scoring chances at the charity stripe. Finding heart John Fulkerson into foul problems would be a bonus, as well when Tennessee might be a balanced scoring workforce, Rick Barnes frequently restrictions his rotation to eight players, and Fulkerson is the only participant taller than 6-foot-seven to play extra than 4 minutes per video game this calendar year.

After a delayed get started to the year, Barnes has Tennessee participating in actually perfectly. With 4 players averaging double-digits in the scoring column, the Volunteers can at least match Mizzou in stability, and they probably have extra best-conclusion talent with the likes of Victor Bailey Jr. and the freshman duo of Jaden Springer and Keon Johnson. If the Tigers manage the glass and get warm from three, they could surely win this video game, but it’s difficult to wager on a warm shooting night from this workforce at this position. We think Tennessee pulls absent in the next half and arms Mizzou its to start with reduction of the year.

Last Score: Tennessee seventy one, Missouri sixty six