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 Arkansas.
OFF THE BENCH: Dustin Thomas and Trey Thompson have both started eight games, and could be in the starting lineup on Saturday night. C.J. Jones averages 8.4 points in 16 minutes a game off the bench and Arlando Cook and Darious Hall will see significant time as well. As he always does, Mike Anderson goes at least ten deep with fresh bodies to run an up-tempo style.
OFF THE BENCH: With Porter now in the starting lineup, Kevin Puryear is the sixth man. He had been in an offensive funk, but scored nine second half points and played good defense in the win over Georgia. Puryear averages 9.6 points and 4.8 rebounds. Terrence Phillips has an increased role after the transfer of Blake Harris and Cuonzo Martin is largely going with a seven-man rotation barring foul trouble. Cullen VanLeerand Reed Nikko will see some time as well.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Hang around early. Bud Walton is never an easy place to play and also not a place Missouri has ever played particularly well. This is a bit of a rivalry and Razorback fans will likely be up for this one...especially coming off three straight losses. Missouri needs to expect to get Arkansas' best shot early.
2. Crash the boards. This is not Mike Anderson's vintage pressure defense. The Razorbacks only force about 14 turnovers a game. The one place his teams have always been vulnerable is rebounding...particularly on the offensive end. With Porter and Barnett averaging at least six boards a game and Tilmon at 6-foot-10 if he can stay on the floor, Missouri should have a solid edge here. The Tigers have a +7.8 rebounding margin on the season. The Razorbacks are -0.2.
3. Get easy buckets. When Anderson's press works, it can be a thing of beauty. When teams figure out how to dissect it, it can lead to easy buckets. Look for Mizzou to use Jontay Porter a fair amount in helping to break pressure. At 6-foot-11, he can go over the top of the defense. He is also the Tigers' best passer. If he can help out here, the Tigers can get to the middle of the press and get some easy chances in transition.
TIP TIME INFORMATION
TIPOFF: 5:00 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
At first glance, this isn't a game many would have expected Missouri to win...or really even come close. But the Razorbacks are struggling. They've lost three in a row, including a not-that-close 21-point home drubbing by LSU this week. Is Missouri catching the Razorbacks at a good time or a bad one? Expect Arkansas to have some fight in them for this one. The Tigers are gonna hang in, but they'll have to prove they can win a tight game on the road before we pick them to do it.
PREDICTION: Arkansas 79, Missouri 75
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jontay Porter stays hot with a second consecutive double-double.
