Mizzou got off to a great start with four assists on four field goals and a quick 14-3 lead. Then it played about as ugly as possible for the next 15 minutes. The Tigers turned the ball over 10 times which led to 13 Morehead State points. They started 2-2 from three (both by Mark Smith) but have since missed 12 in a row. Jeremiah Tilmon, Mark Smith and Dru Smith all have two fouls and didn't return after picking up their second.
A couple quick things:
-- One, credit Morehead for not folding when Mizzou jumped out to a quick lead. Also credit them for consistently doubling Tilmon and being physical with him in the post. Tilmon still needs to take better advantage of his opportunities, though. He missed a dunk and an easy jump hook and lost his dribble once. Mizzou will hope the two fouls don't sap his aggressiveness.
-- I understand the strategy of keeping a player on the bench with two fouls. But when Mark Smith is as hot as he is and the rest of Mizzou shooters are this cold, I feel like you have to throw him back out there. You should be able to trust an upperclassman guard to be smart.
-- The freshman power forwards are keeping Mizzou in it. Kobe Brown and Tray Jackson have combined for 13 points and four rebounds. Jackson, especially, has looked aggressive after not playing last week.
-- The sophomore wings, meanwhile, continue to struggle, especially Torrence Watson.
-- Parker Braun looks for the moment like Cuonzo's top choice to back up Tilmon. He made some nice defensive plays, but he still needs to get stronger and more physical. He got pushed around a few times and had one rebound taken away from him by a guard. That can't happen against Morehead St.
I still don't think Mizzou is in danger of losing. You hope the 9-0 run going into the half will carry over and the Tigers will put this out of reach quickly. All they need to do is stop turning the ball over and hit a couple shots.
A couple quick things:
-- One, credit Morehead for not folding when Mizzou jumped out to a quick lead. Also credit them for consistently doubling Tilmon and being physical with him in the post. Tilmon still needs to take better advantage of his opportunities, though. He missed a dunk and an easy jump hook and lost his dribble once. Mizzou will hope the two fouls don't sap his aggressiveness.
-- I understand the strategy of keeping a player on the bench with two fouls. But when Mark Smith is as hot as he is and the rest of Mizzou shooters are this cold, I feel like you have to throw him back out there. You should be able to trust an upperclassman guard to be smart.
-- The freshman power forwards are keeping Mizzou in it. Kobe Brown and Tray Jackson have combined for 13 points and four rebounds. Jackson, especially, has looked aggressive after not playing last week.
-- The sophomore wings, meanwhile, continue to struggle, especially Torrence Watson.
-- Parker Braun looks for the moment like Cuonzo's top choice to back up Tilmon. He made some nice defensive plays, but he still needs to get stronger and more physical. He got pushed around a few times and had one rebound taken away from him by a guard. That can't happen against Morehead St.
I still don't think Mizzou is in danger of losing. You hope the 9-0 run going into the half will carry over and the Tigers will put this out of reach quickly. All they need to do is stop turning the ball over and hit a couple shots.
