PowerMizzou.com will be in Nashville all week with the Missouri women's team. Here’s the breakdown of tonight’s SEC Tournament opener against Ole Miss:
OFF THE BENCH: Ole Miss coach Matt Insell will most likely stick to this starting lineup after the Rebels’ big win over Florida yesterday, but he will probably turn to freshman Promise Taylor off the bench first. The 6-5 center is averaging 8.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 23.6 minutes per game. She is No. 14 nationally in total blocks this season (80). Other than Taylor, junior Torri Lewis will also help out off the bench. She averages 5.1 points per game and 1.3 rebounds.
OFF THE BENCH: Missouri has the advantage over Mississippi in fresh legs and a deep bench. Jordan Chavis continues to be consistent with the three-ball. She’s averaging 39 percent from three, which is second on the team behind Sophie Cunningham. Chavis has also attempted more three-pointers now than Amber Smith and is only seven attempts away from surpassing Lauren Aldridge. Chavis will also be imperative in handling the ball against the Rebels’ defense; she only has 24 turnovers on the season.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Find the offense again. Missouri’s second quarter in the loss against Texas A&M last Sunday was horrendous. The Tigers had scored only seven points in the second quarter, and the Aggies jumped out to a 43-25 lead at halftime. That lack of offense on the Missouri side just can’t happen again. The Tigers need to make sure those shots fall instead of shooting 9-29 in the first half. Missouri has to start the game with an offensive attack and make sure not to lose it again.
Match Rebel defense. Mississippi upset Florida yesterday 48-43 in a very defensive game. On Tuesday, Robin Pingeton said that no matter who the Tigers play, they’re going to have to increase intensity on defense after letting Texas A&M run up the score last Sunday without matching it. Missouri is 15-1 in games that it has held its opponents to under 60 points, and, on average, Missouri has held its opponents to 38.5 percent shooting this season, which is second in the SEC. That needs to continue tonight, especially if the offensive drought continues.
Get over the bump. The loss against Texas A&M might have shaken Missouri a bit, but the important thing is the Tigers look at it like a hiccup and move onto the tournament. Missouri has responded to adversity well in the past: after losing three in late January, it went onto win six straight. The Tigers need to have the mentality of getting on track getting win and advancing to the next round — and securing that first SEC Tournament win ever.
TIP TIME INFORMATION
TIPOFF: Approximately 8:30 p.m. Central (25 minutes after 6 p.m. game ends)
TELEVISION: SEC Network
RADIO: Tiger Radio Network
THE BOTTOM LINE
This game could go two ways. One, Mississippi comes out with another upset on its mind. For only the second time since the SEC expanded to 14 teams, the No. 14 seed advanced in the tournament. Both times it has been Mississippi. The Rebels broke a 13-game losing streak to win yesterday, and they probably don’t want to go back to losing. Two, Missouri’s fresh legs and talent overpower Mississippi’s heart. There’s a good chance that the latter will happen. The Tigers beat the Rebels handedly earlier in the season, 67-48, in Oxford. Missouri just can’t overlook this opponent, or any opponent in this tournament.
PREDICTION: Missouri 64, Ole Miss 52
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Cierra Porter will come up big in the paint tonight with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
