Prior to each Mizzou hoops game this season, we will get Tiger fans set with The Starting Five. In this feature, we'll give you the anticipated starting lineups for each team, break down keys to a Missouri win and offer up a prediction.
Here is the breakdown of tonight's game against Alabama.
OFF THE BENCH: Ingram, Petty, Hall and Sexton score the vast majority of Alabama's points, but Herb Jones comes off the bench and plays starter minutes, averaging 5.4 points and four rebounds in 23 minutes a game. The Crimson Tide plays five guys off the bench, but none of them offer much of a scoring punch.
OFF THE BENCH: Missouri is down to just two point guards after Terrence Phillips' suspension, so expect to see more of Cullen Vanleer playing a bit more at the two-guard spot to give Kassius Robertson a bit of a breather. Vanleer played arguably his best game of the year against Mississippi State, scoring 10 points, dishing out two assists and grabbing two rebounds in 19 minutes. Kevin Puryear is going to see quite a few minutes off the bench, especially if Jeremiah Tilmon and/or Jontay Porter get in foul trouble.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Contain Petty and Sexton. Alabama's offense runs through its two standout freshman guards. Sexton's scoring and shooting numbers have dropped off dramatically since the start of SEC play, but he's capable of scoring outbursts at anytime, as he proved earlier this season against Arizona and Minnesota. Petty's production has also dropped a bit recently, but he's one of the best 3-point shooters in the league and a tough matchup for Missouri's undersized guards.
2. Pound the paint. Missouri has to get solid performances out of both Jeremiah Tilmon and Jontay Porter. Missouri's guards and wings could really struggle against 'Bama's length on the perimeter, but the Tigers should theoretically have an advantage inside. Both Porter and Tilmon have been more hesitant because of foul trouble, but they have to assert themselves against Alabama's frontline.
3. Get some early momentum. The Crimson Tide have been on a bit of a roll recently, winning five of their last six, including an 80-73 win over No. 12 Oklahoma Saturday. Coleman Coliseum should be rocking Wednesday night, and Missouri can't afford one of its patented slow starts. If Missouri can get Jordan Barnett and Kassius Robertson early, it might have a shot to steal a much-needed road win.
TIP TIME INFORMATION
TIPOFF: 8 p.m. Central
TELEVISION: ESPN2/WatchESPN
RADIO: The game will be broadcast on the Tiger Radio Network. For a list of affiliates, click here.
THE BOTTOM LINE
This is as close to a must-win game as Missouri will have this season. Lose Wednesday night, and the Tigers can all but kiss their NCAA at-large hopes goodbye. Steal a win and knock off Kentucky Saturday, and Missouri will have a bit of newfound life. This team has enough talent on the current roster — even without Michael Porter Jr. — to be an NCAA Tournament squad. But when you only have two of your four best players contributing each night, that's not going to happen. Porter, Tilmon, Barnett and Robertson have to figure out a way to get on the same page, or Missouri is going to be heading home for spring break. At this point, I just don't think they have that in them.
PREDICTION: Alabama 68, Missouri 64
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Kassius Robertson scores 16 points and hits four 3-pointers.
