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Tiger Tipoff Preview: Ole Miss

Prior to each of the major non-conference games and every SEC game for the Tigers, we will post the Tiger Tipoff Preview to get you set for the matchup. Here is our preview of today's matchup at Ole Miss.

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                                         TIP TIME INFORMATION

Missouri (14-15) vs Ole Miss (14-15)

WHEN: 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Pavilion at Ole Miss, Oxford, Mississippi

TV: SEC Network

RADIO: Tiger Radio Network (Mike Kelly, Chris Gervino)

SERIES: Ole Miss leads 12-3 (Missouri won 71-68 on Feb. 18)

KenPom Prediction: Ole Miss 68-64

                                       THE STARTING LINEUPS

Ole Miss Probable Starters
Player Class Height PPG RPG APG

Khadim Sy

JR

6-10

9.0

5.6

0.8

KJ Buffen

SO

6-7

10.1

5.9

1.6

Breein Tyree

SR

6-2

20.1

3.6

2.5

Devonte Shuler

JR

6-2

11.6

4.8

3.5

Blake Hinson

SO

6-7

10.3

4.8

1.5

Mizzou Probable Starters
Player Class Height PPG RPG APG

Dru Smith

JR

6-3

12.7

4.3

3.8

Xavier Pinson

SO

6-3

11.0

2.6

2.7

Kobe Brown

FR

6-7

5.9

3.7

0.5

Reed Nikko

SR

6-10

5.0

3.5

0.5

Javon Pickett

SO

6-5

6.8

3.9

1.4

Xavier Pinson scored 32 points in Missouri's win over Ole Miss on Feb. 18.
Xavier Pinson scored 32 points in Missouri's win over Ole Miss on Feb. 18. (Jessi Dodge)

                                                  BY THE NUMBERS

Statistical Matchup
Mizzou Category Ole Miss

67.1

PPG

69.9

65.3

PPG Allowed

68.1

41.2

Field Goal %

43.6

30.0

Three-Point %

33.0

+1.5

Rebound Margin

-1.1

14.1

Turnovers

13.2

150

Offensive Efficiency Rank

141

85

Defensive Efficiency Rank

68

261

Tempo

201

54

Strength of Schedule

68

                                        MIZZOU KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Limit the Ole Miss backcourt. In the first meeting between the two teams, Ole Miss star Breein Tyree went for 29 points, but he had to take 17 shots to get there. Meanwhile, his backcourt mate Devontae Shuler scored just one point in 31 minutes. If Missouri can hold Tyree and Shuler to a combined 30 points or fewer once again, it should have a good chance of pulling off the season sweep. Tyree continues to average more than 20 points per game, and Wednesday will be his Senior Night, so expect him to be dialed in. Shuler had 18 points, five rebounds and six assists in Ole Miss' win over Vanderbilt on Saturday. Javon Pickett's health could be key to slowing down Tyree; he guarded Tyree in the first matchup but appeared a bit hobbled by a back injury during the second half of Missouri's loss to Mississippi State.

2. Keep attacking the rim. Speaking of backcourt duos, Missouri's tandem of Xavier Pinson and Dru Smith dominated Ole Miss two weeks ago, combining for 39 points. As usual, the pair did so by slashing to the basket early and often, either scoring or drawing contact. Pinson shot 11 free throws in the game and Smith shot 10, while Missouri as a team went 23-27 from the line. Ole Miss boasts the No. 14 three-point defense in the country, and Missouri has proven it is not very good at shooting from behind the arc, so the Tigers need to avoid settling for three-pointers and get the ball to the rack whenever possible. Missouri is 2-9 this season when it attempts 24 or more three-pointers (with two of the wins coming against Incarnate Word and Chicago State) and 12-4 in all other games.

3. That said, hit some outside shots. We just pointed out that Missouri is not a very good outside shooting team. Well, the Tigers' shooting performance in Saturday's loss to Mississippi State was worse than not good. The Tigers repeatedly missed wide open looks, making just six of 29 three-point attempts, including 1-13 in the second half. If Missouri just make three more of those three-pointers — 31 percent doesn't seem like an unrealistic expectation — it probably wins. We mentioned above that Missouri needs to continue to attack the basket, so we're not advocating for the Tigers to attempt a bunch of shots from behind the arc, but those driving lanes will be much easier to come by if the Ole Miss defense has to close out to shooters who have proven they can knock down the three-ball.

                                     POWERMIZZOU PREDICTION

Ole Miss will likely do everything in its power to stay In front of Pinson and Dru Smith and make someone else beat them. That could be problematic for Missouri, as no other Tiger scored in double-figures against Mississippi State. However, with Jeremiah Tilmon becoming more and more of a presence after he missed 12 conference games due to a stress fracture and the wings likely looking to bounce back after a challenge from the coaching staff, we believe the Tigers pull off the sweep. Ole Miss is locked Into a bottom-four finish in the SEC and lost four in a row prior to beating Vanderbilt on Saturday, so the Rebels don't figure to have a ton to play for.

FINAL SCORE: Missouri 69-65

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