* Okay, I know I say this almost every game. But I really mean it this time. This has to be the hardest game to watch of all time. It’s not just the play on the court, although that’s been a big part of it. We’ve had 14 combined turnovers, 19 fouls and 20 made shots. Missouri is 2-8 from three-point range and South Carolina is 3-11. Then you add in the broadcast issues — one commentator losing audio, no score graphic for a while, an incorrect score — and yeah, it’s pretty close to unwatchable. But I guess if you all are still watching at this point in the season nothing can scare you off.
* That’s kind of the way Missouri needs to play at this point. Because offense continues to be very difficult for this team. It’s looking like another sub-60 night. Javon Pickett did what he always does and has nine points. But he also has a couple ugly turnovers. Outside of Pickett and Trevon Brazile, Missouri’s roster is 6-24 from the field and 0-6 from three-point range. The biggest issue has been Kobe Brown, who has been a non-factor at best and a liability at worst during the past game and a half. He hasn’t made a shot in that span. He has two fouls tonight, and normally I would stump for Cuonzo Martin to put him back in, but after he just basically turned aside and let a South Carolina player drive in for a dunk at one point, I say let him sit.
* The good news is that South Carolina has missed quite a few chances to take a more commanding lead. The Gamecocks have missed several wide open shots, including an open layup and a run-out dunk. For the second game in a row, it feels like Missouri should be down by a lot more than six at halftime. Saturday, that got corrected quickly as LSU started the second half on a 15-0 run. Obviously, avoiding another flat start to the second half will be key for the Tigers tonight.
* Mizzou has done plenty wrong so far. But to me the most concerning stat is the defensive glass. South Carolina has grabbed seven offensive rebounds and turned them into 10 second-chance points. Mizzou has just three offensive rebounds. Add that to the turnover difference (9-5 in favor of South Carolina) and the Gamecocks have attempted nine more shots. Winning the rebounding battle is a must for this Missouri team, literally. It’s 0-18 when it fails to do so.
* That’s kind of the way Missouri needs to play at this point. Because offense continues to be very difficult for this team. It’s looking like another sub-60 night. Javon Pickett did what he always does and has nine points. But he also has a couple ugly turnovers. Outside of Pickett and Trevon Brazile, Missouri’s roster is 6-24 from the field and 0-6 from three-point range. The biggest issue has been Kobe Brown, who has been a non-factor at best and a liability at worst during the past game and a half. He hasn’t made a shot in that span. He has two fouls tonight, and normally I would stump for Cuonzo Martin to put him back in, but after he just basically turned aside and let a South Carolina player drive in for a dunk at one point, I say let him sit.
* The good news is that South Carolina has missed quite a few chances to take a more commanding lead. The Gamecocks have missed several wide open shots, including an open layup and a run-out dunk. For the second game in a row, it feels like Missouri should be down by a lot more than six at halftime. Saturday, that got corrected quickly as LSU started the second half on a 15-0 run. Obviously, avoiding another flat start to the second half will be key for the Tigers tonight.
* Mizzou has done plenty wrong so far. But to me the most concerning stat is the defensive glass. South Carolina has grabbed seven offensive rebounds and turned them into 10 second-chance points. Mizzou has just three offensive rebounds. Add that to the turnover difference (9-5 in favor of South Carolina) and the Gamecocks have attempted nine more shots. Winning the rebounding battle is a must for this Missouri team, literally. It’s 0-18 when it fails to do so.
