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 Tennessee.
OFF THE BENCH: Lamonte Turner averages 22 minutes per game and is the team's fourth-leading scorer at 9.5 points per game (he also shoots 89% from the free throw line). Daniel James III averages nearly seven points a game in 21 minutes and Chris Darrington and John Fulkerson round out the nine-man rotation that averages at least 11 minutes per game.
OFF THE BENCH: Kevin Puryear is still averaging nearly double figures but has come off the bench in the last two games with Porter in the starting lineup. Terrence Phillips is the backup point guard and Reed Nikko the third big man in the rotation. Cullen VanLeer will get some minutes as well.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Get the bigs going. Against Georgia, Tilmon and Porter were great and Missouri won. Against Arkansas, they weren't very good and Missouri lost. The Tigers will get most of their scoring from guards, but the big men determine how the game will go.
2. Get on the glass. Schofield and Williams aren't big, but they're athletic and can go get the ball. Both average at least six rebounds per game. But with 6-10, 6-11 in the starting lineup and Barnett second on the team in rebounds and Puryear coming off the bench, the Tigers need to win the battle on the boards.
3. Keep your poise. Missouri's struggled with it. The Tigers have lost three leads of six points or more in the final seven minutes. Cuonzo Martin said on Tuesday he spent time showing the team where defensive breakdowns cost them against Florida and Arkansas. Missouri will almost certainly be in the game late. Now the Tigers have to close it out.
TIP TIME INFORMATION
TIPOFF: 8:00 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
The home games are huge. This is one that would give Missouri a big boost. The Vols are No. 13 in the country in RPI and would easily be Missouri's most impressive victory. The Tigers haven't lost back-to-back games this season...but they haven't played anyone as good as Tennessee after a loss. With the home court, we think the Tigers continue the bounceback trend.
PREDICTION: Missouri 81, Tennessee 71
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jordan Barnett goes for 18 and nine and paces the Tigers to a win.
