Mizzou turned it on in the second half led by T.O. Barrett’s 16 points in the half to get a crucial 73-69 win over a ranked Tennessee team for their March hopes. It felt like Mizzou couldn’t miss in the latter half shooting over 60% from the field, to go along with 50% from three point range. How big was the win? This was a must win game according to Mizzou forward Mark Mitchell.
This win is huge for the Tigers’ NCAA Tournament hopes as they entered the day among the last four in according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi. They are bound to move more solidly into the field after picking up a win over a projected five seed in Tennessee. Also crucial to the Tigers SEC tournament seeding as the win tonight greatly helps Mizzou’s chances at potentially getting a top four seed and the double bye to the quarterfinals that comes with it.
Mizzou looked like Jekyll and Hyde in the first half. The Tigers got off to a slow start due to a mixture of sloppy offense alongside some stout defense by the Volunteers. Then from the nine minute mark to the one minute mark, Mizzou went on a 14-3 run to get themselves back in the game and the lead at one point. Mizzou was cold towards the end of that run and to end the half going 2-11 on their final field goal attempts.
In the second half Mizzou changed the style of play for both teams from a defensive stalwart to an offensive shootout. No question that changing to an offensive game helped the Tigers tremendously due to Rick Barnes’ Vols always being a defense orientated team. Speaks benefits to the Tigers looking strong against a defense like UT’s and halftime adjustments made by Coach Dennis Gates.
Trent Burns “Tremby” played perhaps his best game as a Tiger, with four points and four steals. His over seven foot frame allowed him to grab seven boards and being a menace on the inside defensively giving the Volunteers offense issues. Coach Gates is proud of his improvement and production he’s accomplished. Burns was in the presser in the back providing some humor with Coach Gates and Barrett. Throughout the postgame presser you could feel a sense of lightness in the air like the Tigers are playing free and easy right now not worried about their March chances.
Barrett had a great game all around with 28 points and 5 rebounds on the night. Business as usual with Mark Mitchell being a force with 23 points. More Jekyll and Hyde for Mizzou on the shooting front tonight with a nice revelation 17-22 from the charity stripe but an abysmal 4-17 performance from beyond the arc. Gates made sure to give flowers to Anthony Robinson and Trent Pierce for their performance in the second half.
The Tigers seem March bound thanks to the victory tonight as the schedule sets up favorable to close with soft road games at Mississippi State and Oklahoma. Then a home game against Arkansas to end the season. That Arkansas game stakes have changed from a must win to a win improves March Madness seeding thanks to the Mizzou victory tonight.