Fresh off an impressive overtime win over Wichita State on the road, the Missouri Tigers (8-0) return to Columbia to host Southeastern Missouri State before the roster line begins of their figurative murderer.
The Redhawks come into this game 5-3, having already beaten a major (higher) opponent in South Florida (the Bulls are “technically” a major opponent). They would love nothing more than to tear down the public school and secure a non-conference victory.
This battle in the state serves as the last major game for Missouri, as they now face Power 6 opponents. The Tigers got off to a flying start in Dennis Gates’ first season, averaging 22.1 assists per game (#1 nationally), an anemic turnover rate of 1.92 (#2 nationally) and 14.1 steals per game (#1 nationally). 1 nationally) averaging 92.6 points per game (No. 5 nationally). Still, they can use it as one last tune-up game before the program really heats up.
Game Information
When: Sunday, December 4
Where: Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Mo.
Time: 3:00 p.m. CST
TV: SEC Network
Spread: Mizzou-23.5
KenPom Win Probability: 97%
The entrees
Missouri:
PG: Nick Honor (graduate)
SG: D’Moi Hodge (graduate)
SF: DeAndre Gholston (graduate)
PF: Kobe Brown (SR)
C: Noah Carter (SR)
SEMO:
PG: Rusell Phillip (SOPH)
SG: Aquan Smart (SOPH)
SF: Chris Harris (SR)
PF: Kobe Clark (SOPH)
C: Josh Earley (JR)
*Lineups are projected
Get to Know: The Southeastern State of Missouri
After a 14-18 season in 2021, the Redhawks got off to a much stronger start in 2022. At 5-3, they beat South Florida, Evansville and Boston University, while only losing to Bradley, UC Davis and Milwaukee, all of which are respectable mid-range programs. They enter this game at #261 on the KenPom leaderboard.
On the defensive side, SEMO excels. They rank 20th in 3-point percentage allowed (26%) and 29th in opposing free throw percentage (62.4%, though they don’t necessarily contribute much). In all of their wins, they held the opposing team to 61 points or less.
Offensively, they’re abysmal inside the arc, shooting a meager 39% from 2-point field, good for 353rd in the nation (via KenPom, out of 362 teams). Their 35.5% shooting percentage from 3-point range makes up for it a bit, but aside from Chris Harris and Phillip Russell, there’s not much to worry about on the offensive side.
That being said, Harris and Russell deserve a lot of attention. Harris, who transferred from Saint Louis University in 2021 and hails from Cape Girardeau, is used on 28.3% of Redhawks possessions (123rd nationally, via KenPom). Russell has an assist rate of 32.2 (63rd nationally). Their styles of play complement each other and each has the potential to take control of a match.
Sophomore forward Kobe Clark leads the team with 9.7 rebounds per game in his first season at SEMO after transferring from Georgetown. Redshirt senior guard Israel Barnes led the team with 22 points against Milwaukee on Monday, so watch out for what he potentially continues to shoot.
3 game keys
1. Keep spreading the love
As discussed, SEMO features a pretty solid defense which has caused problems for opposing teams at times this season. Luckily for the Tigers, they’ve excelled on offense this season, and that’s largely down to their average of over 20 assists per game. As long as they keep that trend going and don’t allow the Redhawks to dictate the pace and style of this game, they should have another 10+ point win in hand.
2. Contain Russell and Harris
SEMO has two essential people. Chris Harris and Phillip Russell have been mentioned before, and they play extremely well together. They are almost always on the field for the Redhawks, and they have a very high utilization rate.
The Tigers have done well for the most part on perimeter defense this season, with Nick Honor, Sean East II and Tre Gomillion pesky on the outside. Still, some guards/wings (Jelani Simmons of Southern Indiana, Clark Slajchert of Penn, Terry Collins of MVSU) were able to warm up against this team. If both Russell and Harris have effective games, then SEMO definitely has a chance.
3. Stay focused on the task at hand
We all know Kansas is coming to town next weekend. It’s been the circled game on everyone’s calendar for months now, and the hype is already building. However, to keep the positive thoughts going about this team entering one of the biggest games of the year, the Tigers need to win on Sunday.
The main concern here is that Mizzou has played so many major enemies at this point that the roster is getting lazy and not taking SEMO seriously. It would be a disaster for this team, so it’s up to Gates and the leaders (Kobe, Tre, D’Moi, etc.) on this roster to make sure that doesn’t happen.
game prediction
My prediction: Missouri 88 | SEMO 63
Prediction KenPom: Mizzou 89 | SEMO 67
It is definitely a trap game. Sandwiched between a tough road win over Wichita State and a date with kU is SEMO, which means Dennis Gates needs to keep his team focused in this one. Although they didn’t play many marquee programs, the Redhawks played quality competition and performed well, although their 16-point loss to Milwaukee on Monday was their worst of the season.
SEMO’s defense could pose problems for Missouri’s efficient offense if they get the day off, but I just don’t see them being able to score with the Tigers for 40 minutes. As long as they stay focused, don’t allow the Redhawks any early hope and can contain the duo of Russell and Harris, then it should be a relatively easy win.
More importantly, it’s the final stepping stone to entering the Kansas game undefeated. This is the last development before really getting an idea of the potential of this team.