-Mo Diarra got into the game for the first time in about three weeks. He didn't really do anything of note, but doesn't really deserve criticism. That's a really tough spot to be put in -- to go from not playing at all to being asked to make an impact in two minutes on the floor. He might get better with any kind of consistent playing time. (Edit: Diarra got back into the game and made some good plays late in the first half. He just needed to settle in.)
-I do think, however, Dennis Gates deserves some criticism. Kobe Brown was absolutely torching the Aggies, scoring 10 points going into the under-16 timeout, before Gates pulled him out for Diarra. Maybe Kobe needed a breather, but it completely killed their momentum. They missed 10 straight and scored just four points across the next 10 minutes. Kobe even came in, came out and then came in against and they still couldn't get a shot to drop. I think they should've rode Kobe until Texas A&M adjusted.
-The Aggies have been doing a really good job of running the Tigers off the 3-point line and Missouri's ball-handlers have been hesitant to go up around the rim. Sean East at least had the awareness to try and drop a few floaters in (one rimmed out, the second fell through) but everyone else's instinct has been to kick it back out. The 3s aren't falling, either, so the offense just doesn't go anywhere.
-Mizzou has zero second-chance points to Texas A&M's 10. The Tigers can usually make up for it by forcing a high number of turnovers or out-shooting their opponent, but that hasn't been the case tonight. It was their worst half of basketball this season. I'm curious to see how the team adapts.
-I do think, however, Dennis Gates deserves some criticism. Kobe Brown was absolutely torching the Aggies, scoring 10 points going into the under-16 timeout, before Gates pulled him out for Diarra. Maybe Kobe needed a breather, but it completely killed their momentum. They missed 10 straight and scored just four points across the next 10 minutes. Kobe even came in, came out and then came in against and they still couldn't get a shot to drop. I think they should've rode Kobe until Texas A&M adjusted.
-The Aggies have been doing a really good job of running the Tigers off the 3-point line and Missouri's ball-handlers have been hesitant to go up around the rim. Sean East at least had the awareness to try and drop a few floaters in (one rimmed out, the second fell through) but everyone else's instinct has been to kick it back out. The 3s aren't falling, either, so the offense just doesn't go anywhere.
-Mizzou has zero second-chance points to Texas A&M's 10. The Tigers can usually make up for it by forcing a high number of turnovers or out-shooting their opponent, but that hasn't been the case tonight. It was their worst half of basketball this season. I'm curious to see how the team adapts.
