The Missouri Tigers (10-1) take on the No. 16 ranked Illinois Fighting Illini (8-3) in an SEC vs. Big 10 showdown, played in St. Louis, Missouri.
After finishing 12-21 last season, Missouri got off to a 9-0 start with the help of a soft schedule. After losing its first game of the season to No. 6 Kansas (95-67) on December 10, the Tigers came out a week later and snuck by UCF (68-66) on Saturday thanks to a half court buzzer beater by Milwaukee transfer DeAndre Gholston.
DeAndre Gholston sinks a 40-footer as time expires to lead Mizzou to a 68-66 win over UCF at the AutoNation Orange Bowl Basketball Classic #MIZ ??
Full Story & Notes ??https://t.co/T5gZJDmVU9
— Mizzou Hoops (@MizzouHoops) December 17, 2022
Missouri is 60th in the nation according to KenPom. The Tigers shine offensively rating 13th in adjusted offensive efficiency. The Tigers are a top-100 team in offensive scoring, field goal percentage, free-throw and three-point percentage. Five Missouri players are averaging at least 10 ppg, led by 6'4 senior guard D'moi Hodge with 16.4 ppg, who played for Cleveland State last season. On defense, Missouri is 143rd according to KenPom's adjusted efficiency and 318th allowing 75 ppg.