GAME THREAD: Mizzou hosts Tennessee

LIVE UPDATES:

FINAL: Ouch. This is a touch loss. Missouri falters badly down the stretch, losing to Tennessee, 69-59.

7:27 2H: Score is tied 48-48 after a Javon Pickett jumper. This game has all the intensity in the world, and very well may come down to the last few possessions.

9:55 2H: A Dru Smith free throw cuts the Vols’ lead t 48-46 after the brouhaha near the Tennessee bench. A technical foul was assessed to Mitchell Smith.

11:33 2H: This game has sprung to life, with Missouri embarking on a 14-5 run to tie the game at 45. Tennessee, however, has made shots each time Missouri has had all the momentum to quiet the crowd.

15:29 2H: Missouri has not wilted and, thanks to two threes from Mitchell Smith, is still within six. Vols lead 40-34.

18:29 2H: Not an ideal start, to say the least. Tennessee quickly pushes the lead to 10 with back to back three-pointers.

HALF: Tennessee leads 32-28. Both teams are relatively even statistically, and the game has felt the same way.

3:45 1H: Tennessee is hot from deep, but Missouri is keeping pace. Kobe Brown converts a huge three point play to give Missouri a 28-26 lead.

7:22 1H: Things were looking pretty rough there for Missouri for a few minutes, but back-to-back baskets in transition have leveled the score at 20. The combination of Dru Smith and Xavier Pinson on the floor at the same time seems to be opening up the offense more.

11:27 1H: Kobe Brown nails a big three to cut Tennessee’s lead to 15-13. There have already been enough traveling calls to lose track of the number. This game is ugly, and most likely is going to stay that way.

15:56 1H: Tennessee leads 6-5. Both offenses have not looked good thus far, no surprise given the absence of key pieces for both teams.

Mizzou hosts Tennessee tonight at Mizzou Arena to kick off the home slate of conference play. This game screams must-win for each team, with both the Tigers and Volunteers suffering losses to open conference play over the weekend.

Missouri has won four of its last five and Tennessee has lost four of its last five, so this is a game the Tigers can and must win. It will be a tougher challenge, though, with the pregame news that Jeremiah Tilmon is out indefinitely with a foot stress fracture.

Hoops Preview: Tennessee comes to Columbia looking for answers

The Details

Opponent: Tennessee Volunteers (8-5, 0-1 SEC)

Time: 6:00 p.m. CT

Where: Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Missouri

Is Mizzou Receiving Top 25 Votes? No

What Does Vegas Say? Mizzou, -3

Where To Watch: SEC Network | WatchESPN

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

Twitter: @MizzouHoops

Facebook: Mizzou Men’s Basketball

• If you’re looking to sign up for ESPN+, Rock M Nation now has an affiliate link: click Here for ESPN+ Now! (** RockMNation has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though RockMNation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.**)

Five Questions!

1. Will Axel Okongo see minutes tonight?
2. Will Mark Smith reach double figures in points?
3. Who will be the team’s leading scorer?
4. Who is your trifecta for the game?
5. What will the final score be?