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 this morning's second round game in the Advocare Invitational against St. John's.
THE STARTING LINEUPS
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Make free throws. Missouri has had some tough games from the charity stripe early this season. Against Long Beach State however, the Tigers were on fire from the line making 21-25 as a team. If Mizzou can duplicate that today it'll be a big step in securing the victory over a talented St. John's team.
2. Make the extra pass. Against Iowa State and Wagner Mizzou moved the ball very well. The Tigers finished each game with 17 assists. Then against Utah and Emporia State, Mizzou finished with only 11 assists in each game and the offense looked poor. Yesterday, in an easy win over Long Beach State, Missouri collected a season high 22 assists. When the Tigers do not settle for early jumpers they have the ability to work the ball around and set themselves up for a better shot.
3. Protect the rim. Freshman big men Jontay Porter and Jeremiah Tilmon each strike an imposing figure. The 6-foot-11 and 6-foot-10 players have provided Missouri with rim protection that the Tigers have not had in a while. It could allow the perimeter defenders to be a little more aggressive which could lead to more turnovers.
TIP TIME INFORMATION
Tipoff: 10:00 a.m. Central time
Television: ESPNews
Radio: The game will be broadcast on the Tiger Radio Network. For a list of affiliates, click here.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Missouri played it's best game of the season against Long Beach State. Will they be able to duplicate that effort against a talented St. John's team? Not quite, but the inside/outside combination of Kassius Robertson, Jordan Barnett, Jontay Porter and Jeremiah Tilmon with Blake Harris running the show will be too much for Red Storm to handle.
PREDICTION: Missouri 68, St. John's 64
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Senior Kassius Robertson. He is the second leading scorer on the team, but has not shot the ball well from deep the last three games. We expect that to change today.
