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MIZZOU Arena
7:00 PM
SEC/ESPN+
Missouri
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Record: 2-0
KenPom Rank: 64
Missouri Tigers
Record: 3-0
KenPom Rank: 37
The Gophers step up their competition tonight, taking on a tough team from the SEC. The Missouri Tigers hold a KenPom ranking of 37th, which is very good. Nationally, that would put them right around a 6 or 7-seed. Within their own conference, that puts them 11th, just one spot ahead of Texas. The Big Ten is very good, the SEC is loaded.
I’m a huge fan of Missouri coach Dennis Gates; he was at the top of my list to replace Richard Pitino. He turned the program around from an 0-18 2023-24 season to 6-seed in the tournament the following season. He runs an intelligent offense that is very efficient. Coincidentally, his brother is on the Gopher’s staff, so may be we have some insight into how we can slow the Tigers.
Minnesota is hitting the road and this will easily be their toughest test of the non-conference. Can they compete with the Tigers? Is it possible to come away with a win? Here are the keys to the game.
KEYS TO A GOPHER WIN
Who wins the paint? – Both of these teams rebound well and have scored a lot of their points in the paint, especially Missouri. For the Tigers, it starts with Mark Mitchell. The 6’9” forward is a former Duke recruit who is averaging 20 points and 7 rebounds this year and he has taken just one three-pointer. He gets his points in the paint.
Work inside to out – Minnesota scores a lot of points in the paint, but they also thrive on kicking the ball out to shooters. The Gophers are going to have to hit their threes, and it’s a lot easier if it comes from inside to out.
Defend together – Mitchell is the dynamic scoring machine for Mizzou, but they have six guys averaging 9.7 points per game or better. Jayden Stone hits threes at a high clip, Anthony Robbinson II gets to the free throw line often and it all adds up to the Tigers being one of the top 20 most efficient offenses in the country. Minnesota has to play great defense…together.
PREDICTION
This Minnesota team is looking better than expected, but this is not a game that I’m expecting to win. Gates has his program going in the right direction; they are a team fighting to make it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Niko Medved is establishing a foundation for his program, a program that would be happy to be in the bubble conversation. With this being on the road, this should be a Mizzou win.
Minnesota – 71
Missouri – 82
