MIZ-ZOOM: Tennessee rematch

Ahead of tomorrow’s highly anticipated rematch against the 6th ranked Tennessee Volunteers, Missouri basketball head coach and his team addressed the press.

If you recall, Missouri was dismantled against Tennessee in their first matchup played at Mizzou arena back on December 30th. The Vols controlled every facet of that game and easily won by 20. “We just didn’t play well,” Martin explained. “They set the tone. We know were a better team then what we showed.” Coach Martin said that he and his team are eager to get a second chance at Tennessee. “We know we can play with them,” Mark Smith added.

Since the first meeting, Missouri has gone on to win 3 of its last four games, all by 10 or more points. “I think we bounced back recently with the last two wins,” Smith said. Tennessee, on the other hand, has won 3 of their last 5 and are coming off a brutal upset against the Florida Gators. The Vols dropped that game on the road by a score of 75-49, their largest deficit so far this year. Their other loss occurred at home to the Alabama Crimson Tide, who have been white-hot to start the season.

To keep their small win streak in tact, Missouri will have to do so on the road, but there is a benefit to doing so with very small crowds. “We know were gonna be in their home,” point guard Xavier Pinson explained. “I feel like it’s up to us to go in there and handle our business.”