Game thread: Missouri looks to avoid third three-game losing streak of SEC play

Missouri’s postseason hopes are all but dashed (kudos to those believers among us who still think an NIT berth is possible), but that’s to be expected from a team that lost its best player, Jontay Porter, to a season-ending injury before the schedule even started and it’s best 3-point shooter, Mark Smith, to a pesky ankle sprain during the heart of the team’s SEC slate. That doesn’t mean this is a lost season. Jeremiah Tilmon is learning to avoid foul trouble and pass out of double-teams. Smith has emerged as one of the SEC’s premier perimeter threats and one of the Tigers’ best defenders. Freshmen Javon Pickett and Xavier Pinson have become key contributors well ahead of schedule. Their classmate, four-star recruit Torrence Watson, is beginning to adjust to the next level. A youth movement is underway in Columbia, and it will be on display Tuesday (sans Smith) against a surging Arkansas Razorbacks squad coached by former Mizzou head coach Mike Anderson. Let’s play basketball.

The Details

Opponent: Arkansas Razorbacks (14-9, 5-5 SEC)

Time: 8 p.m. CT

Where: Mizzou Arena; Columbia, Missouri

Is Mizzou Receiving Top 25 Votes? Nope.

What Does Vegas Say? Arkansas, -1.5

ESPN’s Basketball Power Index: Mizzou, 54.4%

Where To Watch: ESPNU

Radio: Tiger Radio Network

Twitter: @MizzouHoops

Facebook: Mizzou Men’s Basketball

The Review

Recap | Tigers offense shoots second-half blanks in 68-59 loss to Aggies

Study Hall | Texas A&M 68, Mizzou 59

Five Questions

1. When will Mark Smith play again?
2. Mizzou’s 3-point percentage: over or under 30 percent?
3. Does Torrence Watson or Xavier Pinson receive the start in Mark Smith’s place?
4. Predict the score!
5. Who is your trifecta?