A year ago these two programs took the floor with two very different teams. But it largely started the same way. The Tigers scored the first 23 points of the game before the Vikings could muster up their first basket. So when Mizzou ran up the first 15 points, it felt somewhat familiar.
But last year, the Tigers won the game by 27 points. So in effect they won the first 9-10 minutes by 23, and the rest of the game by just 4 points.
That game, was not this game. This game was different. Really throughout
the entirety of the game, there wasn’t a point where Missouri wasn’t expanding their lead. The lead expansion slowed, a bit, in the second half. But the message was clear for this team. It was going to play hard, fast, and win with authority. But if you break it down into 4 minute segments the lead was this:
- +15
- +19
- +25
- +32
- +38
- +47
- +50
- +51
- +59
- +61
CSU’s best run was 5 points all game long. It was a serious and methodical destruction.
I don’t think anyone knows what to expect from Mizzou this season, or Cleveland State for that matter. But this, to me, was a far more impressive win than the record breaking 72 point win over Mississippi Valley State a few years ago. Cleveland State may not compete for a Horizon League championship, but they have a pulse. They’re well coached, and they’re going to win some games.
They were just overwhelmed by a team we want to see be overwhelming.
Hopefully Dennis Gates bought his former assistant, and now CSU head coach, Rob Summers a drink after the game. Let’s get to Study Hall #1 on the season.
TEAM STATS
If you were trying to remember what some of those Florida State teams under Leonard Hamilton looked like, this was as close as we’ve seen under Gates at Missouri. Length at every position, disruption nearly all game long, and an absurd 8.5 to 1.07 BCI win.
- If you haven’t read this column before and want to know why advanced metrics are more important than regular statistics, Mizzou and Cleveland State had the same amount of offensive rebounds! But Mizzou had a 41% offensive rebounding rate, and held the Vikings to 28%. Mizzou was dominant on the glass for most of the game.
- 73.7% from inside the arc is outstanding, in fact it’s the third best percentage for the Tigers from 2FG under Gates.
- We joke about ‘did you make your threes’, but sometimes it’s as much about when. Making a bunch at the beginning or the end of a game can do a lot, and when a Gates team hits 4 of it’s first six, it’s usuallly a sign they’re going to jump out to a double digit lead.
I really don’t think Cleveland State played all that poorly. They got submerged early, had a few too many turnovers, and didn’t make enough outside shots to keep it interesting. They also had some trouble at the rim, but Toni Bryant had something to do with that.
The Tigers were just a more possessed team. The 0.70 points per possession was the lowest since that Mississippi Valley State game, and the third lowest under Dennis Gates (Coastal Carolina was 0.65 ppp in 2023).
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Trifecta: Mark Mitchell, Toni Bryant, Kennard Davis, Jr.
Jason Crowe, Jr. had almost exactly the type of game you wanted, and his +51 while on the floor is a WOW stat. But 23 points on 16 shots, only two turnovers and just two assists. Ideally that would be closer to 6 assists and 2 turnovers. But he was that good and didn’t crack the top three in Adjusted GameScore because, well, everyone was really good.
Gates said after the game he had to force Mark Mitchell into the primary role last season, with some cajoling. But one thing we’ve talked about that has made Mark so good in his time at Mizzou is his passing, and without a true point guard or secondary ball handler in the lineup, Mitchell’s ability to handle was going to be a big feature to this roster. But, wow I didn’t see a 10 assist game coming out of the gate. Credit to the shooters, because it helps when catch and shoots get knocked down, but Mark was terrific.
That kind of start from Toni Bryant is exactly what he, and Mizzou fans, needed. He’s a special talent, but still very much a work in progress. If he can knock down some threes, catch a few lobs, rebound the ball, and block some shots… that’s all you need from him. In fact he was the KenPom MVP.
Welcomem back home Kennard Davis, Jr. I don’t expect him to put up a 184 Offensive Rating all season, but if he wants to I won’t complain. He was just really good, even several times making the correct read, the extra pass, to get a better shot.
After watching Bryson Tiller in the exhibitions, I think most fans were a little confused by his role. But against CSU it was far more clear. Tiller can be a force, he’s so physically imposing and strong, I don’t think Mizzou needs him to be a fascilitator, just finish plays. I don’t even mind a few mid range pull ups, but him going to the rim on the first play was what you want to see. Plus 9 boards.
Gates also said after the game he feels like this team has 7 starters, and he’s right. Crowe, Jr., Tiller, Mitchell, Bryant, Trent Pierce, Jamier Jones, and Davis. If Jaylen Carey can figure himself out, I think you’ve got a solid 8 man rotation there, with Cord Stansberry and Trent Burns being a bit more deep bench, and Aidan Chronister when he’s back healthy. This is precisely how the rotation played out. There were a few extra minutes to kick around as the game was getting out of hand, but the top 7 seemed solid.
Usage wise, against tougher opponents I think you’ll see Mark with a bit more than 14%. Maybe closer to 20-23%. Crowe might want to find himself just under 30%, and 28.3% is pretty high for Trent Pierce. But to be fair he was open a lot from three (including one pretty bad attempt).
But it’s hard to nitpick what ended up being a 100 GameScore from the Tigers. They played great team basketball and won big. Now it’s on to SLU.
