Cardiac Jacks (10-1) vs. Missouri (9-2)

WHERE: Columbia, Missouri
WHEN: DEC. 19 (TUES.) 8:00 P.M.
TV: ESPNU

The Tigers have won 4 straight, 7 of the last 8 and a perfect 6-0 at Mizzou Arena

Wins
Iowa State 74-59
Long Beach State 95-58
St. John's 90-82

Lost
@Utah 59-77
@West Virginia 79-83

SR:3
JR:6
SO:2
FR:4

Lots of size with 4 players 6-10 or taller.

F: #11 Jontay Porter 6-11; 240 #12 Nation (Rivals)
F: #23 Jeremiah Tilmon 6-10; 252 Top 50 recruit (ESPN)
F: #5 Mitchell Smith 6-10; 215 Arkansas POY
F: #14 Nikko Reed 6-10; 250

I'm wildly optimistic at the moment but this will be a tough game. Talented team with a lot of length & the benefit of SEC home refs. Going to be a challenge.

Also Cardiac Jacks is right.

TallTexan said:

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I guess it comes down to whether the SEC continues to get their Refs from a Deliverance casting call or not. So far, they're 2 for 2.

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ROFL!!!!!! That opening is still there at your local comedy club, Texan. Go for it!!

Got ahold of an advanced copy of Keller's gameplan for Tuesday. Keep it on the downlow so Mizzou doesn't hear about it.

I've thought since earlier in the year that we match up well against their team positionally. However, I think they are a great high level team. It's going to be tough to shake their rhythm.

They like to shoot from deep. Really can't let them get comfortable out there. Not necessarily a good team from deep either. They have good night's and bad night's, just like everyone that depends on the 3-ball.

Against North Florida they were 10-25. A better defense could have slowed them more I think...

Like many of our recent opponents, there are some comparable statistics. Scoring is similar 81.5 (SFA) - 80 (Mizzou); Points Allowed 67.6 (SFA) - 64.9 (Mizzou); FG% 48.1 (SFA) - 48.8 (Mizzou).

The biggest difference is rebounds, where Mizzou holds a 40-35 edge, while we again lead in steals 13-6.

As a team they are shooting 38.9% from behind the arc on 25 shots per game. Also a key stat with our team, is Mizzou shoots 70% from the free throw line. That will likely play a big role as the Tigers get to the free throw line an average of 21 times a game, making 15.

I think those are numbers that bode well for us, along with Mizzou turning the ball over an average of 14 times a game. I think our pressure defense could leave us in a good spot here. That said, we cannot let them get comfortable behind the arc...

It was difficult shaking Waters but we limited his touches in the first, he obviously heated up in the second half but we succeeded in limiting his play-making, which is just as valuable as causing turnovers in my opinion.

We need to take away the passing lanes against MIZZOU. Do not let them pass and get quality perimeter looks. We really can't get away from our defensive mindset. Obviously we have to remain hot on offense and move the ball. And whenever we do force the TO, we have to make MIZZOU pay for their mistakes.

Speaking of Kevon, what is his status?

I wonder who will be the star in this one, as it seems to be a different player stepping up each game.

It's game day!!!! Love when these days roll around. The big game safari has been good so far, but that tiger meat didn't last long for such a hungry crew. It's time to take down another!

TallTexan said:

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Well, we're getting a shorter list of players who haven't stepped up & won a game, so I'm going with Gru. It's his time to shine!

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Holding my breath on that one.... Choke... Cough...

(Poor Gru. I'm going to back off on ragging on that guy. He plays his heart out, but he hasn't quite reached the level of Olajuwon or Abdul-Jabbar just yet...)

I know this should be about Missouri, but how in the heck do we have Arlington Baptist on Thursday? Is that all we could get scheduled before the Christmas break? This might be the game that Jovan shines in. Sorry and now back to Missouri. Cant have the droughts in scoring to win this game, if we don't I really think we can take this one too! Go JACKS!!!

Currently 12 for SFA and 5 against over on the straight up pick em. You are a crazy bunch of fans, but you're my kind of people.

Longtime MU Tiger fan here. I am looking forward to facing you guys and I hope our guys take you as seriously as I do. Regarding the last high pressure team we faced UVW, you should know we led that at one point by 16 and the loss stung. They had a sr guard who had 3 take-aways and 6 points in no time that led to that win. We have gotten better since then. Guys you want to note are Jontay Porter who I often see as the best player on the floor. He is 6'11 but can move literally like a guard and has awesome timing on blocks. THREE of his siblings play for Missouri right now. SKILLED as all get all get. He and Jeremiah Tilmon at center - thrilled both are Tigers. We had six players in double figures last game. So the scoring can come from anywhere. Yes and if we hit threes, Good Night Irene. Glad to have you guys in Columbia. Your Defense is scary.

Raskolnikov said:

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Longtime MU Tiger fan here. I am looking forward to facing you guys and I hope our guys take you as seriously as I do. Regarding the last high pressure team we faced UVW, you should know we led that at one point by 16 and the loss stung. They had a sr guard who had 3 take-aways and 6 points in no time that led to that win. We have gotten better since then. Guys you want to note are Jontay Porter who I often see as the best player on the floor. He is 6'11 but can move literally like a guard and has awesome timing on blocks. THREE of his siblings play for Missouri right now. SKILLED as all get all get. He and Jeremiah Tilmon at center - thrilled both are Tigers. We had six players in double figures last game. So the scoring can come from anywhere. Yes and if we hit threes, Good Night Irene. Glad to have you guys in Columbia. Your Defense is scary.

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Glad you're here. I'll be rooting wildly for you guys the rest of the season but not tonight. Rationally, I don't think we have it in us after that absolutely bat **** game on Saturday but sports fans are never rational.

Mizzou fan here. Good luck on the rest of the season. I copied a couple links to local articles about our game tonight. If you win it won't be under the radar.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/sfa-s-keller-on-mizzou-s-edge-the-antlers-and/article_966ba5e0-042b-54ab-a518-385a7be6593c.html

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/lumberjacks-coach-grateful-to-be-at-mizzou-on-borrowed-time/article_8cd82825-a411-5382-af9d-72a8dd28b38d.html

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article190341844.html

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/20171218/missouri-vs-stephen-f-austin-at-glance

INiedrauer said:

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Same reason the women played that disaster of a team today.

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Noticed that Central Christian was 0 for 18 from long range today. That's quite an accomplishment.

LumberLane said:

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Mizzou fan here. Good luck on the rest of the season. I copied a couple links to local articles about our game tonight. If you win it won't be under the radar.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/sfa-s-keller-on-mizzou-s-edge-the-antlers-and/article_966ba5e0-042b-54ab-a518-385a7be6593c.html

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/lumberjacks-coach-grateful-to-be-at-mizzou-on-borrowed-time/article_8cd82825-a411-5382-af9d-72a8dd28b38d.html

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article190341844.html

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/20171218/missouri-vs-stephen-f-austin-at-glance

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Thanks for those links!

Sitting here watching the LSU game again for the 5th or 6th time. Just getting primed for tonight. I'm nervous as hell but very excited to see how things play out. One thing I know is our guys will not be intimidated tonight. Hope they are on fire!

I've been expecting that as the game draws closer that I would resign myself to the fact that Mizzou is just too good of a team. But actually, as we get close to tip-off, I'm getting more confident that we really are a good team. I think we might pull this off. These kids are winners, and they believe. Bad combo for Missouri.

nacluth said:

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I've been expecting that as the game draws closer that I would resign myself to the fact that Mizzou is just too good of a team. But actually, as we get close to tip-off, I'm getting more confident that we really are a good team. I think we might pull this off. These kids are winners, and they believe. Bad combo for Missouri.

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I like your positive enthusiasm, Ryan. But I think the Jacks are still about five weeks away from reaching their full potential. I desperately hope I'm wrong, but IMO, having consecutive road games against SEC teams inside their hostile environs may just be too much to overcome for a team that's only about 75% of what I believe it eventually will become.