-Mizzou's defense has really been the difference-maker today. Utah State hasn't really had all that many open looks from outside and the ones that have been are from the guys you want to shoot them. Steven Ashworth got just five shots off and missed all of his 3s, they're essentially face-guarding him, having whoever is guarding him stick on him and ignore everyone else on the court until they need to switch a ball screen. It's made life really difficult for the Aggies.
-The Tigers are also winning in the turnover margin and have gotten a handful of points off the fast break. Utah State has one of the highest assist rates in the country but they've been held back today because of MU's active hands.
-Offensively, Missouri's leading scorer's been held in check, too, but that's mostly due to Kobe getting into foul trouble. I thought he played well while he was out there though and he had a somewhat productive stat line. But it's put a lot of weight on D'Moi Hodge, DeAndre Gholston and Noah Carter's shoulders. Gholston told me last weekend when they can't get a 3, it's kind of on him and Kobe to find a bucket inside. Without Kobe, Gholston's kind of been the only option -- Carter's struggled a little bit with Utah State's length, but I did think it was a good decision to start him in this game.
-Hodge has just been lights out. There was that play where he got the "offensive rebound" (which, I really do think should've been counted as a steal), drove in to draw Dan Akins' attention and kicked it to Gholston underneath the rim. It just took a crazy amount of basketball IQ to pull it off. He's completely playing off of instinct - the moment is not too big for him.
-The team is still having a hard time getting juice out of its point guard. Nick Honor came up with a few steals and drew a foul that was called a block but also easily could've been a charge. Sean East II had a layup right when he came in but was a little over-aggressive hunting steals and tossing up floaters. They need more from both guys.
-USU is likely not going to miss every single 3 again in the second half. Mizzou has to be ready for a rally.
-The Tigers are also winning in the turnover margin and have gotten a handful of points off the fast break. Utah State has one of the highest assist rates in the country but they've been held back today because of MU's active hands.
-Offensively, Missouri's leading scorer's been held in check, too, but that's mostly due to Kobe getting into foul trouble. I thought he played well while he was out there though and he had a somewhat productive stat line. But it's put a lot of weight on D'Moi Hodge, DeAndre Gholston and Noah Carter's shoulders. Gholston told me last weekend when they can't get a 3, it's kind of on him and Kobe to find a bucket inside. Without Kobe, Gholston's kind of been the only option -- Carter's struggled a little bit with Utah State's length, but I did think it was a good decision to start him in this game.
-Hodge has just been lights out. There was that play where he got the "offensive rebound" (which, I really do think should've been counted as a steal), drove in to draw Dan Akins' attention and kicked it to Gholston underneath the rim. It just took a crazy amount of basketball IQ to pull it off. He's completely playing off of instinct - the moment is not too big for him.
-The team is still having a hard time getting juice out of its point guard. Nick Honor came up with a few steals and drew a foul that was called a block but also easily could've been a charge. Sean East II had a layup right when he came in but was a little over-aggressive hunting steals and tossing up floaters. They need more from both guys.
-USU is likely not going to miss every single 3 again in the second half. Mizzou has to be ready for a rally.
