Moral victories don't exist at this level. Missouri went there to win the game and won't be happy it didn't.
That said, that was about as good as you could hope for barring the upset. There were a lot of times that I thought Tennessee was going to run away and hide. And Missouri didn't let them. They're undermanned and injured (and not super talented even at full strength) but man they'll fight. That's a reflection of the coach.
11 assists and 9 turnovers for this team is ridiculously good. The Tigers did a nice job holding on to the ball. Only one or two really bad turnovers I can remember. Amazing how many turnovers are eliminated when you just cut down on the offensive fouls.
Jeremiah Tilmon has now gone seven straight games where he's managed to stay on the floor. That's a very good thing. Missouri is a much better team when he is on the floor. Now you just have to hope he's okay and he can keep playing.
Kevin Puryear came back from back to back scoreless games and was productive, putting up 8 and 6 rebounds tonight.
Javon Pickett, I'm starting to believe, could be an all SEC player in Columbia. Kid's got a lot of toughness and more talent than he gets credit for.
Reed Nikko's never going to be a star...but he'll always have the memory of the night he knocked Grant Williams on his ass with a blocked shot.
The one point where I thought this one kind of got away from Mizzou was with about nine minutes left. The Tigers were down eight with the ball on back to back possessions and got a missed three from Mitchell Smith. I know he hit a big three against Vandy, but on the road against the best team in the country, I just don't think that's the shot you want. And it's definitely not the shot you want twice. Not saying Missouri was going to win the game, but that seemed like their last good chance to really make Tennessee sweat. Of course, not like anyone else shot it that well from three either (Mizzou was 8-27 as a team).
You've got to give credit to the Vols though. They're a legit national title contender and deserving of their ranking. They kept the Tigers at arm's length all second half and this game was more about what they were able to do and the talent gap between the teams than anything Missouri didn't do.
Tonight was always going to be an L. The next two are at home and are winnable. Missouri needs to win them.
That said, that was about as good as you could hope for barring the upset. There were a lot of times that I thought Tennessee was going to run away and hide. And Missouri didn't let them. They're undermanned and injured (and not super talented even at full strength) but man they'll fight. That's a reflection of the coach.
11 assists and 9 turnovers for this team is ridiculously good. The Tigers did a nice job holding on to the ball. Only one or two really bad turnovers I can remember. Amazing how many turnovers are eliminated when you just cut down on the offensive fouls.
Jeremiah Tilmon has now gone seven straight games where he's managed to stay on the floor. That's a very good thing. Missouri is a much better team when he is on the floor. Now you just have to hope he's okay and he can keep playing.
Kevin Puryear came back from back to back scoreless games and was productive, putting up 8 and 6 rebounds tonight.
Javon Pickett, I'm starting to believe, could be an all SEC player in Columbia. Kid's got a lot of toughness and more talent than he gets credit for.
Reed Nikko's never going to be a star...but he'll always have the memory of the night he knocked Grant Williams on his ass with a blocked shot.
The one point where I thought this one kind of got away from Mizzou was with about nine minutes left. The Tigers were down eight with the ball on back to back possessions and got a missed three from Mitchell Smith. I know he hit a big three against Vandy, but on the road against the best team in the country, I just don't think that's the shot you want. And it's definitely not the shot you want twice. Not saying Missouri was going to win the game, but that seemed like their last good chance to really make Tennessee sweat. Of course, not like anyone else shot it that well from three either (Mizzou was 8-27 as a team).
You've got to give credit to the Vols though. They're a legit national title contender and deserving of their ranking. They kept the Tigers at arm's length all second half and this game was more about what they were able to do and the talent gap between the teams than anything Missouri didn't do.
Tonight was always going to be an L. The next two are at home and are winnable. Missouri needs to win them.
