* That was an impressive first half for Missouri. The Tigers got off to a great start, which has been a rarity for the team this season, going up 9-0 out of the gates. Then they answered each of Alabama’s punches. I think if you had told any Mizzou fan coming into this one that the Tigers would be within one bucket at halftime despite being down two players, they would have signed up for it no questions asked.
* Kobe Brown is a monster. He showed an ability to score from everywhere on the floor in that first half: around the rim, in the mid-range and from behind the arc. He has 17 points to go along with seven rebounds and a nice assist that led to a Boogie Coleman three. Frankly, I don’t understand how Alabama lets that happen. When you play Mizzou, it should always be your goal to make someone other than Brown beat you. But credit to Brown for making the plays. I was okay with the coaches sitting him for the final 2:50 of the first half after he picked up his second foul because it wasn’t much time, and it worked out, but he needs to be on the floor for every minute of the second half.
* Mizzou did a great job on the glass, which figured to be a big key in this one. Missouri is out-rebounding Alabama 22-13. The Crimson Tide only have three offensive rebounds and have scored three second-chance points. That was a huge emphasis when we talked to Cuonzo yesterday. Mizzou, meanwhile, has seven second-chance points on eight offensive boards. The Tigers need to keep that up if they’re going to pull the upset.
* Honestly, the fact that Missouri is within three points right now is even more impressive when you consider that Alabama shot the ball pretty well in that first half. The Crimson Tide are 6-12 from three-point range and 17-32 from the field. They’ve only turned the ball over three times. I think Missouri is going to need to do a better job getting stops in the second half. I don’t think they can win this game if it gets into the high 80s. But they surprised me in the first half, so we’ll see.
* Kobe Brown is a monster. He showed an ability to score from everywhere on the floor in that first half: around the rim, in the mid-range and from behind the arc. He has 17 points to go along with seven rebounds and a nice assist that led to a Boogie Coleman three. Frankly, I don’t understand how Alabama lets that happen. When you play Mizzou, it should always be your goal to make someone other than Brown beat you. But credit to Brown for making the plays. I was okay with the coaches sitting him for the final 2:50 of the first half after he picked up his second foul because it wasn’t much time, and it worked out, but he needs to be on the floor for every minute of the second half.
* Mizzou did a great job on the glass, which figured to be a big key in this one. Missouri is out-rebounding Alabama 22-13. The Crimson Tide only have three offensive rebounds and have scored three second-chance points. That was a huge emphasis when we talked to Cuonzo yesterday. Mizzou, meanwhile, has seven second-chance points on eight offensive boards. The Tigers need to keep that up if they’re going to pull the upset.
* Honestly, the fact that Missouri is within three points right now is even more impressive when you consider that Alabama shot the ball pretty well in that first half. The Crimson Tide are 6-12 from three-point range and 17-32 from the field. They’ve only turned the ball over three times. I think Missouri is going to need to do a better job getting stops in the second half. I don’t think they can win this game if it gets into the high 80s. But they surprised me in the first half, so we’ll see.
