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: As usual, Mike Anderson is going to run a lot of bodies out there. Ten Razorbacks average at least nine minutes per game. C.J. Jones, Adrio Bailey, Darious Hall and Trey Thompson all play double digit minutes. Arlando Cook is just under that number. Hall and Jones both shoot better than 38% from three-point range and Thompson is the main reserve in the front court. Depth isn't an issue for Arkansas.
OFF THE BENCH: Jordan Geist and Jontay Porter have mostly been the bench for Cuonzo Martin the last few weeks. Geist leads the Tigers in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio. Porter has been up and down, but is coming off the best game of his career after 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists on 9-of-10 shooting against Vanderbilt. Of course, it seems quite possible this is the day Mizzou gets Michael Porter Jr. back in the mix. No one knows for sure if he will play. If he does, look for ten to 15 minutes in short spurts off the bench.
                       KEYS TO THE GAME
Minimize the turnovers. Missouri isn't going to eliminate them, especially against a team that presses as much as the Razorbacks. Cuonzo Martin joked after the Vandy game that the Tigers should just get the first 15 giveaways out of the way and move on from there. The Tigers looked panicked against the Arkansas press for the first 15 minutes in Fayetteville, but settled down and ran the offense pretty well after that before blowing a late lead.
Manage the tempo. Arkansas likes to run and get easy baskets. Missouri needs to limit possessions. The Tigers are at their best when games are played in the 60s. They can win a game that features more points, but if they get much above 70, the scales tilt heavily in favor of Arkansas. Arkansas won the first matchup with just 65 points, but the Tigers gave that one away late, especially thanks to two bad offensive fouls.
Win the big man battle. The Razorbacks feature perhaps the best backcourt in the SEC with Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon flanking Anton Beard, but what takes them from good to really good is when Daniel Gafford is playing well. Gafford had 15 points, six rebounds and only one turnover in the first matchup between the two. He significantly outplayed Jeremiah Tilmon and Jontay Porter, who combined for just nine points and seven rebounds while committing six turnovers and both fouling out. If that repeats itself, Missouri likely loses regardless of what it gets from Michael Porter Jr.
                      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
Missouri is probably already in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers eliminate any uncertainty with a win on Saturday. It's senior day with Jordan Barnett coming off his best half of the season and Kassius Robertson leading the way in his final home game. The Razorbacks are playing for something too. If they win, they lock up a top four seed in the SEC Tournament. If not, it becomes very difficult. Arkansas isn't known as a great road team, but they've won three this year in the league away from Bud Walton and have won six of their last seven overall. But in front of what should be a wild crowd to salute this team and get a glimpse of Porter, we expect emotion to carry Mizzou to a close win.
PREDICTION: Missouri 68, Arkansas 63
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Kassius Robertson ends his home career on a high note with 19 points and some free throws late to seal it.
