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 North Florida.
OFF THE BENCH: The Osprey have started the same five in every single game this season. Off the bench, Trip Day (all-name team) and Osborn Blount are the big contributors. Both shoot better than 40% from three-point range with Day hitting a ridiculous 55% of his long-range shots. Ryan Burkhart has played in ten of the 12 games and averages 14 minutes. Nobody else for the Osprey averages more than eight minutes per game.
OFF THE BENCH: Jordan Geist doesn't start at point guard, but he gets starter's minutes. He is averaging 18.5 minutes per game and that number will go up if he can replicate his 28-point outburst against Green Bay. Jontay Porter is probably Missouri's most complete player. He averages 8.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, two assists and 2.3 blocked shots per game. Cullen VanLeer, Terrence Phillips and Reed Nikko will see some time as well.
                         KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Guard the three. North Florida takes nearly 30 three-pointers per game and is hitting at a 40.4% clip as a team. The Osprey have six players hitting more than 40% of their three-point attempts. Missouri struggled guarding the line to start the game against Green Bay. An underdog's best shot is to get hot from outside. If North Florida does so, they can put up points in a hurry.
2. Hang on to the ball. Asked what his team could most improve this week, Cuonzo Martin said taking care of the basketball. The turnovers are down to 14.6 per game and have been on a decline for a few games. Missouri needs that trend to continue Saturday and beyond.
3. Pound the glass. Missouri is one of the nation's better rebounding teams, particularly on the offensive end. The Tigers are +9.1 in rebounding margin this season while North Florida is minus-2. Mizzou has four different players averaging at least five boards per game.
                        TIP TIME INFORMATION
TIPOFF: 7:30 p.m. Central
TELEVISION: SEC Network/WatchESPN
RADIO: The game will be broadcast on the Tiger Radio Network. For a list of affiliates, click here.
                        THE BOTTOM LINE
This is the last of the "if they lose, there's a major problem" games on Missouri's non-conference schedule. North Florida has played four high-major teams so far this season. The closest game of the four was a 20-point loss to Michigan. The Osprey did hang within ten at VCU. Missouri should win this game without much trouble unless something goes quite wrong.
PREDICTION: Missouri 94, North Florida 67
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Kassius Robertson leads the way with five three-pointers and a game-high 24 points.
