Game Thread: Tigers vs Wildcats

Kentucky hasn’t been quite what they were advertised this year, but the visiting Wildcats won’t be taken lightly. Cuonzo Martin and his Tigers look to remain an SEC powerhouse this year with a win over Calipari’s Wildcats.

Missouri hangs on and wins 75-70

Second half notes

• Tilmon and Brown picked up their third personal fouls to begin the half
• Kentucky opened with a 15-3 run
• Missouri went without a field goal in the opening six and a half minutes
• Isaiah Jackson: a shot blocking machine for Kentucky
• Despite a good run by Kentucky, Dru Smith finished a difficult shot in the paint to keep Missouri out in front 51-45, forcing John Calipari to burn a timeout
• The Wildcats converted consecutive three pointers to cut the Tiger lead, but Missouri remained out in front
• Kentucky’s Devin Askew picked up a technical foul, which sent Xavier Pinson to the line and gave Missouri possession
• Mark Smith hit a three to put the Tigers up 7 with under ten minutes to play. He’s been better tonight
• Missouri occasionally left Kentucky open from deep, and they hit multiple to keep things close
• Kentucky’s Olive Sarr fouled out with 9 points and five and a half minutes to go
• Kentucky continuously cut into Missouri’s lead, however the Tigers had an offensive response every time
• Missouri shot 20% from three in the second (2-10)
• Despite a few scares, Missouri remained in front the entire half, as they pulled away in the last four minutes
• Dru Smith was excellent all night, especially from the free throw line (12-14)
• D. Smith had 26 total

First half notes

• Missouri went with the same starters from TCU: Pinson, Smith, Pickett, Brown, Tilmon
• Jeremiah Tilmon remains a monster below the rim but was double and triple teamed by Kentucky, which slow downed his production
• Missouri was hitting threes early. A lot of threes
• The Tigers had a balanced offensive attack in the first half with 8 players finding the score sheet.
• Dru Smith is quite the outside shooter these days— he had 2 threes in the first half
• Parker Braun was getting it done for the Tigers offensively during a short stretch, his defense needs work though
• Kentucky wasn’t perfect, but kept things with in range to make a run
• Xavier Pinosn is an elite talent when he’s going north to south on the hardwood.
• Mark Smith hit MULTIPLE three pointers. The Tigers shot 7-11 from deep.
• Missouri pulled ahead down the stretch and extended their lead to double digits
• Missouri shot 43% from the field Kentucky shot 35%
• The Tigers led 40-27 at the half

>>>LINK TO THE PREVIEW HERE<<<

The Details

Opponent: Wildcats (5-10)

Time: 6:00 p.m. CT

Where: Mizzou Arena

Is Mizzou Receiving Top 25 Votes? Yes! They’re #18

What Does Vegas Say? Mizzou, -4.5

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 the Tigers hold the Wildcats under 65 points?
2. How many rebounds between Kobe Brown and Jeremiah Tilmon at the half?
3. Who leads the scoring for the Tigers tonight?
4. Who is your trifecta for the game?
5. What will the final score be?