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 Stephen F. Austin.
OFF THE BENCH: It's unknown at this point if Kevon Harris will play. He missed the second half of the Lumberjacks' overtime win at LSU on Saturday undergoing concussion protocol. If he doesn't play, third leading scorer Shannon Bogues is likely to step into the starting lineup. Bogues has started just one game, but averages 25.5 minutes and 15.1 points per game. Ty Charles averages nearly 22 minutes a game and John Comeaux and Samuli Niemenin play nearly 15 minutes per night as well.
OFF THE BENCH: Jordan Geist doesn't start at point guard, but he gets starter's minutes. He is averaging 19 minutes per game. He has been in double figures the last two games and is shooting 48.4% from three-point range. Jontay Porter is probably Missouri's most complete player. He averages 8.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.3 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. Handle the pressure. Stephen F. Austin plays up-tempo and will put a lot of pressure on the Missouri backcourt. The Tigers have struggled with turnovers all year, though the issue has gotten better of late. Missouri has no issue with playing fast, but the Tigers cannot play out of control.
2. Take good threes. Missouri is shooting it pretty well from deep. The Tigers are shooting 38.9% as a team and have four players at 37% or better. But the Tigers have a tendency to fall in love with the long distance shot at times. Missouri is good when it takes good threes. It can be bad when it just starts launching at will. Especially in a game with a major size advantage, the Tigers absolutely have to look inside first.
3. Play 40 minutes. Missouri hasn't had to be good all night to win its last few games. They'll have to be on Tuesday. The Lumberjacks have played plenty of big games and aren't going to be rattled (especially with the student section pretty much empty). Missouri can't afford prolonged lulls or Stephen F. Austin is going to make them pay.
TIP TIME INFORMATION
TIPOFF: 8:00 p.m. Central
TELEVISION: ESPNU/WatchESPN
RADIO: The game will be broadcast on the Tiger Radio Network. For a list of affiliates, click here.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The focus this week is going to be on the Braggin' Rights game. If Missouri is looking ahead to that one, the Tigers will pay dearly. Missouri should win this game. Especially at home. But nothing about it is going to be easy. This is Missouri's toughest test by far since playing West Virginia in Orlando.
PREDICTION: Missouri 85, Stephen F. Austin 81
PLAYER OF THE GAME: We are going to go with Jordan Barnett, who continues his hot shooting and is a matchup problem for the Lumberjacks. It's a second straight double-double for Barnett with 20 points and 12 boards.
