Coming into this game, one of the concerns for Mizzou had to be Kentucky’s long, athletic defense, which can make it tough to score around the rim. That was the case in the first half. Jeremiah Tilmon scored just five points and Mizzou shot a paltry 9-26 from inside the three-point arc. If you had told me that would be the case before tipoff, I would have predicted Mizzou would be losing, and probably losing handily. But the three-pointers have been falling and the defense has been vastly improved. Missouri started the game off 5-6 from three-point range and wound up 7-11. Several guys have chipped in; Mark Smith has found his stroke and hit a couple; Dru Smith has two; Xavier Pinson, Mitchell Smith and Parker Braun each have one. Knocking down those open three-pointers quite simply makes Missouri tough to stop.
On the other end of the floor, Missouri’s defense has looked far, far better than the past couple games. Kentucky’s guards and wings rarely got to the rim. Instead, they had to settle for jumpers and shot just 10-28 from the field. It’s also worth pointing out that Kentucky’s offense is flat out not good. The Wildcats also have eight turnovers. They look like a team full of guys who haven’t played very much together and don’t really care to try.
That was a very Dru Smith half. He would probably be the least athletic player on Kentucky’s team, yet he’s been the best player on the floor with 10 points, six rebounds and four assists. Parker Braun and Mitchell Smith each gave Missouri some good minutes, as well. Braun has five points and Mitchell Smith has eight (!) rebounds. Two of his offensive boards have led to buckets. As a whole, Mizzou is out-rebounding a Kentucky team that has been strong on the glass all season 25-19. Kentucky only has four offensive rebounds and no second-chance points. That’s a huge part of the Wildcats’ offense, so shutting that down is big.
On the other end of the floor, Missouri’s defense has looked far, far better than the past couple games. Kentucky’s guards and wings rarely got to the rim. Instead, they had to settle for jumpers and shot just 10-28 from the field. It’s also worth pointing out that Kentucky’s offense is flat out not good. The Wildcats also have eight turnovers. They look like a team full of guys who haven’t played very much together and don’t really care to try.
That was a very Dru Smith half. He would probably be the least athletic player on Kentucky’s team, yet he’s been the best player on the floor with 10 points, six rebounds and four assists. Parker Braun and Mitchell Smith each gave Missouri some good minutes, as well. Braun has five points and Mitchell Smith has eight (!) rebounds. Two of his offensive boards have led to buckets. As a whole, Mizzou is out-rebounding a Kentucky team that has been strong on the glass all season 25-19. Kentucky only has four offensive rebounds and no second-chance points. That’s a huge part of the Wildcats’ offense, so shutting that down is big.
