The Mizzou men’s basketball team is ready to hit the court this February against South Carolina. The game starts at noon CT on SEC Network.
About the Tigers
The Tigers return after a week off, holding a record of 15 wins and 7 losses, with 5 wins and 4 losses in the SEC. They beat Mississippi State last week, 84-79.
Mark Mitchell shines as the leading scorer with 17.5 points and grabs 5.5 rebounds each game. He also adds 3.3 assists. Jayden Stone follows with 14.6 points, and Jacob Crews chips in 10.8 points on average. Anthony Robinson II leads in assists with 3.4 per game, while Shawn Phillips Jr. dominates defensively with 1.5 blocks. The team averages 80.4 points but allows 74.0 per game.
About the Gamecocks
South Carolina struggles with an 11-12 record, only 2-8 in SEC play. They’ve lost their last four games and recently fell to Texas, 84-75. Meechie Johnson leads with 16.5 points and 4.3 assists, with Mike Sharavjamts contributing 10.8 points and a team-high 5.4 rebounds. Their scoring averages sit at 77.3 points for and 75.3 against.
Series History
In 19 matchups, Mizzou holds a slight edge at 10 wins to 9 losses against South Carolina. Home teams have won 13 of the last 18 games, taking eight of the last ten. Last season, Mizzou overpowered South Carolina with a 101-71 victory, marking their largest win against any SEC team in 12 years.
T.O. Barrett’s Rise
Sophomore T.O. Barrett is enjoying a breakout season. He scored in double figures in five of the last six games, a significant jump from just once in his first 35 games. His career-best performance of 21 points came in his first college start, the highest for a Tiger debut since 2016. In recent games, Barrett averages 13.8 points while shooting 54.8% from the field.
The Magic Number: 73
For Mizzou, scoring at least 73 points is crucial. They are undefeated (15-0) when hitting that mark but have lost all seven games when they fall short. Currently, they average 80.7 points this season, scoring 87.7 in wins and 64.9 in losses.
Three-Point Efficiency
Hitting on three-pointers is vital. Mizzou is unbeaten (11-0) when making at least 34% of threes but has struggled, losing seven of eight games when they shoot lower than that. They connect on 38.5% of their three-point attempts in wins but only 27.2% in losses.
Free-Throw Focus
Getting to the free-throw line is another key area. In SEC matchups, Mizzou is 5-1 when sinking at least 13 free throws, but they’ve lost three games when making 12 or fewer. They average 20.2 free throws in victories but only 13.8 in defeats.
Mark Mitchell: A Standout Performer
Mark Mitchell continues to excel this season. He leads the team in points and rebounds and is making a push for a rare achievement—scoring 17 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists in a game. Only 11 players in the country have reached 375 points, 120 rebounds, and 70 assists this season.
Close Games
Fans can expect thrilling finishes. Eight of Mizzou’s nine SEC games have been nail-biters, with several decided by four points or less. This early intensity surpasses the last two seasons already!
Basketball season is heating up, and with teams locking horns in tight matches, every game counts. Keep an eye on Mizzou as they aim for victory this February.
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