GAME THREAD: Mizzou visits Kentucky

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Final: Missouri drops the SEC opener to Kentucky, 71-59. Not a single Tiger scored in double-figures. Would have been a great win, but not a bad loss considering the competition and the venue. But still, a game that could’ve gone a different way had fouls not been an issue all day long.

7:46 2H: Missouri is down 15 after a Nick Richards hook shot, and it doesn’t look like things will get any better for the Tigers. Kentucky withstood Missouri’s best shot in the first half and has taken over the game completely.

13:10 2H: Since Torrence Watson’s 3-pointer, Kentucky has gone on an 11-2 run. Missouri hasn’t been able to get anything going since the Wildcats went on that 12-0 run in the first half to take the lead.

15:20 2H: Torrence Watson knocked down a 3-pointer from the corner to cut the lead to four, which was also his first shot of the game. Kentucky hasn’t made things easy anywhere on the court, but if Watson can get going in this half, that would be a huge pickup for Missouri.

Halftime: Missouri trails Kentucky, 31-26. The Tigers were up 17-9 at one point, but the Wildcats outscored them 22-9 since then to take the lead at the break. Still, Missouri’s defense has held firm for the most part, and a five-point game isn’t the worst place to be in considering the opponent.

3:31 1H: Here we go. Mario McKinney and Axel Okongo both getting minutes in non-garbage time at Rupp Arena. Missouri is down six so we’ll see how this lineup fares.

7:38 1H: This is why Kentucky is so dangerous. Javon Pickett’s free throw gave Missouri a 17-9 lead at the 10:22 mark, and less than three minutes later, the Tigers trail the Wildcats 19-17. Refs haven’t been good today but it’s Nick Richards that has Kentucky rolling.

11:30 1H: Kobe Brown finishes off a nice transition layup to put Missouri up 16-9 over the Wildcats. The Tigers are doing a really good job of limiting most of the Wildcats, but Nick Richards is starting to heat up from everywhere inside the arc. He’s got all nine of Kentucky’s points.

Pregame

Here it is. After a long two months of non-conference, we’ve finally gotten to SEC play. And what better way to kick it off than against Kentucky at Rupp Arena.

The Wildcats have two very good wins against Michigan State and Louisville this year, but the early season loss to Evansville proves they’re beatable. The Tigers have been on a roll as of late, having not lost in over a month, but the teams they’ve beaten on the current four-game winning streak are not at Kentucky’s level. For Missouri to win this game, a defensive slugfest isn’t going to cut it.

The shooters have to be shooting — and knocking shots down — and Jeremiah Tilmon has to be playing at a high level and not get flustered when the double teams inevitably come in the post. It won’t be easy, but there’s still a scenario that sees the Tigers knock off the Wildcats in their own house.

Hoops Preview: Missouri opens SEC play against an always talented Kentucky

The Details

Opponent: Kentucky Wildcats (9-3)

Time: 1 p.m. CT

Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY

Is Mizzou Receiving Top 25 Votes? Not this time

What Does Vegas Say? Kentucky, -8

Where To Watch: SEC Network | WatchESPN

Radio: Tiger Radio Network // Sirius/XM -119/199

Twitter: @MizzouHoops

Facebook: Mizzou Men’s Basketball

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Five Questions!

1. How many fouls will Jeremiah Tilmon have in the first half?
2. Can Torrence Watson carry over his hot hand from deep?
3. Who ends up with more assists: Dru Smith or Xavier Pinson?
4. Who is your trifecta for the game?
5. What will the final score be?