Game Preview: Missouri Tigers Vs. Kentucky Wildcats

Jan 18, 2014; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers guard

(32) dribbles past Alabama Crimson Tide guard

(20) during the second half at Mizzou Arena. The Missouri Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 68-47. Mandatory Credit: Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports

WHERE: Mizzou Arena (Columbia, Missouri)

TV, TIME: CBS, 12 PM CDT

MIZZOU:

The Tigers are set to host the Kentucky Wildcats (15-5, 5-2 SEC) today and are entering the game having won three of their last four. Mizzou still has the SEC’s leading scorer in Jabari Brown (19.8 ppg) followed closely by Jordan Clarkson (18.4) and Earnest Ross (14.8) giving them one of the scariest back courts in the conference, if not country. But for some reason, their inconsistent play that plagued them last season has seemed to find it’s way to this team.

Missouri is 16-4 overall with a record of 4-3 in conference play, dropping games on the road to Vanderbilt and LSU, both teams the Tigers should’ve beaten. Missouri was viewed as a for-sure tournament team at the start of conference play, but are now starting to flirt with being on the bubble. Missouri needs to start collecting quality wins and there’s no better place to start than today against Kentucky in Mizzou Arena where they post a season record of 10-1.

Missouri winning this game would put them in a tie with Kentucky for 2nd or 3rd place, depending on Ole Miss, in the conference. The Tigers are playing the 107th hardest schedule in the country, so games like this shouldn’t be taken lightly. The Tigers are going to face one of the most talented teams in the country, and they should shift their focus to scoring, and defending, in the paint. LSU forward, Johnny O’Bryant, went on a terror against Mizzou last week and there’s no reason to think that Kentucky’s Julius Randle, won’t be looking to do the same.

KENTUCKY:

The Wildcats are coming off a poor loss, having lost to LSU Thursday night in Baton Rouge. Kentucky never lead the game, and the LSU post defense kept Julius Randle in check. The Wildcats have four starters that average in double figures, but it all starts with Randle’s 16.1 ppg. He also averages 10 rebounds, making him one of the more dominant post players in the country. Missouri has to pay attention to him, otherwise it could be a long day.

Aaron Harrison is averaging 13.8 points, James Young is averaging 14.7 points, and Andrew Harrison is averaging 10.9 points.
Read more at http://sportschatplace.com/college-basketball-picks/2014/02/01/missouri-tigers-vs-kentucky-wildcats-pick-odds-prediction#YGxbWbloufC28RMb.99

Aaron Harrison is averaging 13.8 points, James Young is averaging 14.7 points, and Andrew Harrison is averaging 10.9 points.
Read more at http://sportschatplace.com/college-basketball-picks/2014/02/01/missouri-tigers-vs-kentucky-wildcats-pick-odds-prediction#YGxbWbloufC28RMb.99

Aaron Harrison averages 13.8 ppg, James Young averages 14.7, and Andrew Harrison averages 10.9 completing their four scoring tandem. The Harrison twins are one of the best guard tandems in the country which should make for a great battle against Missouri’s back court. The Wildcats average 79 points per game, giving them one of the better scoring averages in the country but because of their youth, they also suffer from inconsistency.

Kentucky is just 2-5 on the road this season, meaning Missouri has a chance to steal one if they play to their full potential. With out a doubt, Missouri is out matched in this game as are most teams that face Kentucky, but Mizzou will have a full house at the Arena and they should look to continue their dominating home success.