Game Info
When | 8:00 p.m. CT
Where | Mizzou Arena; Columbia, MO
TV | SEC Network
Radio | Tiger Radio Network
Twitter | @MizzouHoops
ESPN win probability | 54.3% chance
The Starters
Mizzou (13-5, 3-2 SEC)
G: Anthony Robinson II (JR, 10.3 PPG)
G: Jayden Stone
(GR, 15.2 PPG)
F: Jacob Crews (GR, 11.6 PPG)
F: Mark Mitchell (SR, 17.3 PPG)
C: Shawn Phillips, Jr. (SR, 7.8 PPG)
Notable Sixth Man: Trent Pierce (JR, 10.4 PPG)
Georgia (15-3, 3-2 SEC)
F: Kanon Catchings (SO, 10.1 PPG)
C: Somtochukwu Cyril (SO, 9.6 PPG)
G: Blue Cain (JR, 14.3 PPG)
G: Jeremiah Wilkinson (SO, 17.9 PPG)
G: Jordan Ross (JR, 8.2 PPG)
Notable Sixth Man: Marcus Millender (JR, 11.4 PPG)
Note: these starting lineups are projected.
Get to know Georgia: a Bulldog team with poise to shock the nation
Last year, Head Coach Mike White brought the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015, but when the season ended, lots of doubts emerged.
In fact, SEC media members predicted the Bulldogs to finish 14th in the conference and around 40th overall. However, week after week UGA has proven they plan on staying in the top 25. Its six-week run in the rankings is the program’s longest since the 2002 season.
White lost a majority of his team outside of Blue Cain and Somto Cyril, but he was able to poach his other three starters from the portal. Kanon Catchings, who hails from BYU, provides the Bulldogs with youth and promise alongside 10 points a game and his 6’9” frame. He also nabbed Jeremiah Wilkinson from Cal, Dennis Gates’ alma mater, and the guard leads Georgia with 17.9 points per game while shooting nearly 37 percent from beyond the arc. Rounding out the transfers is junior Jordan Ross. The guard, from St. Mary’s, has shown consistent growth since freshman year and is currently shooting just below 50 percent from field goal range.
Another transfer who doesn’t find themselves in the starting lineup, is sixth man Marcus Millender. Nicknamed “Smurf,” Millender is among the four Bulldogs averaging double digit points and just shy of four assists per game.
Returners Blue Cain and Somto Cyril have been vital to the growth of UGA this season. While Cyril hits around 9 points a game, he’s more well known for his stature. Standing at 6’11”, Cyril averages 2.65 blocks a game which is good for eighth in the country and second in the SEC. Against Arkansas, the center recorded a season-high seven blocks. Cain has seen his role grow over the years in Athens and is now a key guard scoring 14 points per game.
As a team, the Bulldogs currently lead the nation in scoring at 96.0 points per game. Not only are they incredibly efficient offensively, but they also have speed alongside its height. About 25 of the team’s points stem off the fast break. Having a full bench allows the team to stay fresh and nimble. All eleven players tend to touch the floor each game, while nine see consistent minutes.
Before conference play, Georgia only dropped one game to rival Clemson by three points. Since SEC play began, UGA’s three wins come against Auburn, South Carolina and No. 17 Arkansas. Mizzou and Georgia share a common loss in Ole Miss, but unlike the Tigers, Georgia couldn’t overcome the Florida Gators.
In each conference game, minus the Florida affair, Georgia has won or lost by five or less points.
3 Keys to the Game
Win the Glass
Rebounding has never been an elite trait of Missouri Tigers basketball teams in my tenure here; however, I believe some regression was evident against LSU, something that just can’t continue to happen. The squad allowed 21 second-chance points to the Bayou Bengals and it ultimately proved fatal when Mizzou attempted a late-game comeback.
So why is it important to win the glass against Georgia? Just like Missouri, man this team is tall. They average more rebounds per game than the Tigers, which I expect to be the case on Tuesday night as well. However, strong efforts for defensive rebounds and boxing out may help subside the pain from an explosive Bulldog offense. Mizzou will need to capitalize on any and all opportunities to limit the damage of the highest scoring offense in the league.
We Miss You, Anthony Robinson
This isn’t a Kevin in Home Alone situation, or even as obscure as when the New York Islanders lost forward Mat Barzal on a roadtrip. Robinson is still starting, but his gameplay has seen reduction in minutes and in power.
Over the last four games, the guard has averaged around six points, quite contrary to his season average of 10.3 points per game.
In a press conference with media on Monday, Head Coach Dennis Gates also spoke about Robinson’s absence, saying, “We have to understand that Ant Robinson has to continue to play better for us. If he does not play well we don’t have a chance, I believe.”
T.O. Barrett has stepped up in his place and done a fantastic job, but Robinson finding his footing against Georgia before Mizzou hosts Oklahoma and heads to Tuscaloosa will be crucial.
Free Throws
Sometimes I think I sound like a broken record when I put this as a key for victory, but against LSU, they seemed to listen. The Tigers shot 80% from the line, its highest success rate not only in conference play, but also since late November. Let’s keep the good times rolling, right?
Georgia is a physical, aggressive team and the Tigers should find themselves at the line plenty of times if they play its cards right. Every way you can obtain points will be important against a team that averages 90-plus points a game. With the home crowd behind them, hopefully the free throws follow.
Game Prediction
My prediction: Mizzou 90 – Georgia 84
While Georgia enters carrying momentum after a major win against Arkansas, Mizzou will be looking to bounce back after an underwhelming loss to LSU.
Earlier on Monday, Dennis Gates updated media on the status of his team after the loss.
“We’re in a great psychological, mental, emotional standpoint,” Gates said. “Being able to know and understand the big picture of this league, it’s always going to be some losses. That’s proven.”
It will be a high-scoring affair in Columbia, but with its ducks in a row there’s no reason the Tigers can’t walk away victorious and stay undefeated at home. Plus, a win against a ranked team will be great for the resume. If the same defense that was present at LSU remains, then we’ll be looking at a completely different outcome on Tuesday night.
