GAME THREAD: MISSOURI VS AUBURN

The Missouri Tigers are fresh off a gutsy road victory against the Tennessee Volunteers, and are looking to extend their modest win streak. Tonight, they’ll have to go through a formidable Auburn opponent, led by Sharife Cooper. Follow this thread for updates at the half and post-game.

Second Half Notes:

• Mark Smith opened the half with a three—a rarity tonight
• Missouri took it’s first lead 43-41 early in the second
• The Missouri Tigers headed into the first media timeout of the second half in the middle of a 14-4 run, giving them a 49-43 lead for the time being
• Auburn was able to recover despite losing the lead
• Thanks to a surplus of fouls early in the second, which led to a series of Auburn free-throws, the game was tied back up
• Sharife Cooper got to the line all night
• Dru Smith hit a game-tying three at 62 points— he’s been consist the last few games from deep
• Auburn went on a little run. It was really just Cooper getting fouled a bunch
• Xavier Pinson fouling out with 6 minutes to go was the opposite of what Missouri needed down eight
• Missouri lost due to free throws. They shot 18-27 and missed their last six in a row.
• Dru Smith gave a valiant effort

- Dru had 21 and shot a perfect 8-8 from the line

• The Tigers were out-blocked 13-7
• The Tigers lost 88-82

First Half Notes:

• Missouri got off to a sluggish start and was 1-6 from the field heading into the first media timeout
• Sharife Cooper is really good at getting separation and accurately throwing lobs
• Auburn did a solid job suffocating Pinson at the top of the key, limiting his play
• Jordan Wilmore saw some early minutes and threw one down
• Auburn capitalized on open three point shots and used them to jump out to a double-digit lead with 12 minutes to go in the first
• Through the second media timeout, Missouri was playing at an out of control tempo— just what Auburn wanted
• Missouri quickly jumped out to 7-team fouls, putting Auburn in the 1-and-1
• Tilmon recorded his first bucket halfway through the first half, and missed yet another important open dunk, but still contributed 9 points and 4 rebounds
• Missouri shot a dismal percentage from three (2-11)
• The Tigers got back into the game thanks to a 20-6 run
• Auburn’s largest lead (14) was cut to just 2 but Auburn led 39-35 going into the half

LINK TO THE PREVIEW HERE

The Details

Opponent: Tigers (9-7)

Time: 8:00 p.m. CT

Where: Auburn Arena

Is Mizzou Receiving Top 25 Votes? Yes! They’re #12

What Does Vegas Say? Auburn, -2.5

Where To Watch: ESPN2

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

Twitter: @MizzouHoops

Facebook: Mizzou Men’s Basketball

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Five Questions!

1. Can Xavier Pinson repeat last game’s numbers?
2. Will Jeremiah Tilmon get back in the double-double column?
3. Can Missouri force more then 12 turnovers?
4. Who is your trifecta for the game?
5. What will the final score be?