Missouri vs. SIUE
When: 7 p.m. CT
Where: Mizzou Arena; Columbia, Mo.
TV: SEC Network+
Radio: Tiger Radio Network
Twitter: @MizzouHoops
KenPom prediction: Mizzou -26
ESPN win probability: 96.8%
The Starters
Mizzou (1-1)
G: Jason Crowe Jr. (FR, No. 7 recruit nationally in the 247Sports Composite)
F: Trent Pierce (SR, 10.4 PPG in 25-26)
F: Toni Bryant (FR, No. 21 recruit nationally in the 247Sports Composite)
F: Mark Mitchell (5 YR, 18.3 PPG in 25-26)
C: Bryson Tiller (SO, 7.9 PPG in 25-26 at Kansas)
Notable Sixth Man: Kennard Davis Jr. (SR, 8.5 PPG at BYU)
SIUE (2-1)
G: Gianni Cobb (JR, 9.8 PPG in 25-26 at Northern Illinois)
G: David Wilson (JR, 18.6 PPG in 25-26 at Independence Community College)
G: Jordan Pickett (SR, 5.3 PPG in 25-26)
G: Dehrio McCaskill (SO, did not play in 25-26, 6.0 PPG in 26-27)
F: Darrion Baker (SR, 7.3 PPG in 25-26)
Notable Sixth Man: Brennan Miller (FR, 10.7 PPG in 26-27)
Note: these starting lineups are projected.
Get to Know SIUE: A high-powered offense that’s unproven
While not an elite team, the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Cougars have been one of the best teams in the Ohio Valley Conference under coach Brian Barone. The Cougars have recorded a winning season each of the last four years, including an NCAA tournament appearance in 2024-25. Last season, SIUE finished 19-13 with 12 conference wins.
The Cougars are off to a strong start in 2026-27 with wins over Eureka College and Concordia Chicago. However, they lost their first game against a Division 1 opponent in a 78-77 loss to Lipscomb. SIUE has been extremely impactful offensively, averaging 84.3 points in a young season. While their opponents are averaging more 3s and free throws, the Cougars have done a better job getting quality looks inside the paint. In addition, they’ve forced 19.3 turnovers per game with the help of 11.3 steals.
SIUE has four players averaging double-digit points, spreading out the offensive wealth. Guard Jordan Pickett leads the team with 13.7 points while shooting 44.7% from the field and 46.7% on 3-pointers. This is set to be a major breakout season for Pickett after only averaging 5.3 points last season. Freshman Brennan Miller has made an immediate impression off the bench, averaging 10.7 points and 7.7 rebounds. Miller is from Indiana, leading Lawrence North to a state title in the only state where it’s more than just basketball.
In the preseason, SIUE was voted the tied third-best team in the OVC. However, it’s hard to imagine the Cougars have the talent or defensive ability to stop the size of an SEC team like Mizzou. The Tigers have won all four previous meetings by an average margin of 26.8 points.
Three Keys to the Game
Get Crowe Going
Five-star freshman Jason Crowe Jr. faced his first major adversity in the Tigers’ loss to SLU. He only managed eight points on 3-18 shooting. In addition, he had several lapses on the defensive end of the floor.
However, there’s no reason to panic. It was only his second collegiate game, after all. But there has to be a response from Crowe. While the attention will all be on his scoring, it’s important to work on the rest of his game against SIUE. Crowe showed glimpses of his passing abilities with seven assists in the loss.
He will likely have an easier time going up against the Cougars, allowing him to regain some confidence. Plus, it will be interesting to see what adjustments Gates and the staff make to put Crowe in better spots, specifically on the defensive side of the ball.
Minimize Turnovers
SIUE is forcing its opponents into 19.3 turnovers per game through three games. They’ve turned those extra possessions in 26.3 points.
While Mizzou and SLU each turned the ball over 10 times Friday, the Billikens took advantage of the mistakes. Saint Louis finished the game with 15 points off turnovers compared to eight for the Tigers. Four Mizzou players recorded four turnovers each; including Toni Bryant, who only played 13 minutes.
These offensive mistakes leading to easy buckets in transition is a perfect recipe for an unlikely upset. By contrast, forcing SIUE into turnovers of its own is an easy way to bury any hopes of the miracle.
Unlock Jamier Jones
Providence transfer Jamier Jones was one of the Tigers’ top players in the first week of the season, constantly hustling while being efficient on the offensive end. The guard is shooting 58.8% from the field on 8.5 shots per game.
He ranks fifth on the team in scoring on Mizzou with 13 points per game. The four players ranked above him (Tiller, Mitchell, Crowe and Davis) have all played 55-plus minutes through two games. By comparison, Jones has only played 35.
It’s simple math. The more possessions you play, the more opportunities you have to score. While Jones has made the most of his time on the floor, I would like to see what his output looks like if his minute total jumped into the 22-25 minute range. There’s certainly an argument to inserting him to the Tigers’ starting lineup; at least for now.
Game Prediction
My prediction: Mizzou 96 – SIUE 68
I think Mizzou’s high-powered offense will continue to pour it on early in the season. I’d expect a big bounceback from Crowe and the Tigers to create havoc defensively to create easy points in the paint in transition. The Cougars still have plenty of talent, and I don’t expect any sort of crazy opening run like the Tigers managed against Cleveland State. SIUE will keep the game respectable, but I don’t believe Mizzou will every be worried about losing, getting back on track with a 28-point win.
