-Gabe pointed out this feels like the complete opposite of the first game against Arkansas. Instead of going up big and letting Arkansas come back into it, the Razorbacks are left puzzled how they're not up by double digits. The defense is a big reason why. Even when the team got off to its slow start, it was sticking to the game plan by loading up in the paint and letting Arkansas (who shoots less than 30% from outside) fire away.
-Welcome to the show, Isiaih Mosley and Mo Diarra. Whether you think it was direct or indirect, there was a definite change in the team's demeanor on the floor. Isiaih is someone who can take guys off the dribble and get all the way to the rim consistently, which is something the team has really needed when the offense gets stagnant. It's not necessarily leading to more looks in the paint, but it's giving guys more space to move off the ball. He's been phenomenal on defense too, drawing charges and poking the ball away for steals.
-Diarra is having his best game of the season. He hesitated on the 3-pointer and it still went in, which I think really helped his confidence. He's playing very free and while it's led him into foul trouble, it's also helped big time, especially on the boards. He wasn't even credited with a rebound but man did he make a difference. Arkansas had ZERO second-chance points with five minutes left to play.
-Aidan Shaw made two very, very important 3-pointers from the corner. Those are looks Noah Carter would normally get. Shaw filled in at the spot admirably.
-There was a really long stretch where Nick Honor wasn't on the court, which is uncharacteristic. I didn't see Honor get hurt, so my best guess is that Gates liked what he saw with East and Mosley running the show by themselves and stuck with them.
-Mizzou had a 10-point lead going into halftime of the first game. But the team has to feel a lot better heading into the second half tonight -- they've got the momentum this time. The mojo they've been missing since they last played Arkansas is back.
-Welcome to the show, Isiaih Mosley and Mo Diarra. Whether you think it was direct or indirect, there was a definite change in the team's demeanor on the floor. Isiaih is someone who can take guys off the dribble and get all the way to the rim consistently, which is something the team has really needed when the offense gets stagnant. It's not necessarily leading to more looks in the paint, but it's giving guys more space to move off the ball. He's been phenomenal on defense too, drawing charges and poking the ball away for steals.
-Diarra is having his best game of the season. He hesitated on the 3-pointer and it still went in, which I think really helped his confidence. He's playing very free and while it's led him into foul trouble, it's also helped big time, especially on the boards. He wasn't even credited with a rebound but man did he make a difference. Arkansas had ZERO second-chance points with five minutes left to play.
-Aidan Shaw made two very, very important 3-pointers from the corner. Those are looks Noah Carter would normally get. Shaw filled in at the spot admirably.
-There was a really long stretch where Nick Honor wasn't on the court, which is uncharacteristic. I didn't see Honor get hurt, so my best guess is that Gates liked what he saw with East and Mosley running the show by themselves and stuck with them.
-Mizzou had a 10-point lead going into halftime of the first game. But the team has to feel a lot better heading into the second half tonight -- they've got the momentum this time. The mojo they've been missing since they last played Arkansas is back.
