Jan. 4, 2014
Arena: Mizzou Arena (15,061)
Live Scoring: www.mizzoustats.com
Radio: KTGR 100.5 FM, 103.1 FM and 1580 AM
Live Stats: http://www.mizzoustats.com
Live Video: http://www.mizzounetwork.com
MU Head Coach: Robin Pingeton
(St. Ambrose `90) 54-53 at MU (4th season)
AR Head Coach: Tom Collen
(Bowling Green State , `77) 126-80 at UA (7th season)
MIZZOU HOSTS ARKANSAS IN SEC HOME OPENER SUNDAY
The Tigers open their SEC home slate on Sunday against the Arkansas Razorbacks in a 2 p.m. contest at Mizzou Arena. The Mizzou juniors, Bree Fowler and Morgan Eye will sign autographs following the game, and Mizzou will host Family Funday on the main concourse beginning at 1 p.m. Mizzou and Arkansas have met a few times over the course of program history, with the Razorbacks holding a 7-4 advantage in series history. The two teams met twice last season and the Tigers fell to the Razorbacks in both contests. Mizzou's last win over Arkansas came on Dec. 21, 2008 in a 56-55 victory in Fayetteville, Ark.
UP NEXT
The Tigers will welcome Georgia on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. The contest will air on Mediacom 22 as well. This will be the fifth meeting between the Tigers and the Bulldogs. Georgia holds the 1-3 advantage in series history, topping the Tigers 77-46 in Athens, Ga. last season.
A LOOK AT ARKANSAS
The Razorbacks went 13-0 in non-conference play, dropping their SEC opener to South Carolina last Thursday. Arkansas leads the league with a 42.4 three-point shooting percentage, and the Razorbacks are outscoring opponents by more than 30 points this season. Jessica Jackson leads the Razorbacks this season averaging 14.8 points per game. Four other players are averaging more than 10 points per game including team rebounding leader Jhasmine Bowen. Arkansas' Calli Berna leads the league with 7.9 assists per game this season and Mckenzie Adams holds the league's top three-point shooting percentage.
LAST TIME OUT
• Mizzou earned its first SEC road win of the season at Ole Miss in an 85-76 victory Thursday evening.
• The Tigers had a season-best 62.5 three-point shooting percentage on the night.
• Mizzou took advantage of free throw attempts, making 7-of-8 from the line in both the first and second halves to finish over the team goal at 87.5-percent on the night.
• Morgan Stock and Morgan Eye each knocked down five three-pointers, and six Tigers found the basket in the game.
QUICK HITS
• With an 11-2 record in non-conference play, the Tigers gained momentum leading to conference play. Among Tiger victories this season, Mizzou is holding its opponents to just 60 points per game with an average scoring margin of +19.2 points. Mizzou averages 5.3 blocks per game in winning contests and also outrebounds opponents by an average of 7.3 rebounds per game. Proving that the Tigers unselfish strategy works, the Tigers average 19.1 assists per victory, nine more than opponents.
• Mizzou is very good from the free throw line in unfamiliar territory, shooting 88.1 percent from the charity stripe on the road.
• As the team, the Tigers aim for 80-percent free-throw shooting during practices and in games. Mizzou is now shooting 78-percent from the line this season, just under its season goal. That mark leads the SEC and checks in at 11th nationally. Seven players are shooting 70-percent or better and Mizzou's leader in total free throws - Bri Kulas - is arguably the team's top shooter from the line, checking in at 84.5-percent (60-of-71).
• Under fourth-year head coach Robin Pingeton, Mizzou is continuing to play great team basketball. That is evidenced by Mizzou's 18.1 assists per game (second in the SEC and 24th nationally) and its 1.1 assist/turnover ratio, which ranks third in the SEC and 47th nationally.
• This season the Tigers are averaging 5.1 blocks per game, a number that ranks second in the SEC and 25th in the nation. The number is much improved from last season when the Tigers averaged 2.3 blocks per game. Freshman Jordan Frericks is dominating in this category, she leads the team with 29 blocks on the season, good for an average of 2.1 per game (third-best in the SEC).
• The Tiger staff is stressing a defensive mindset this season, and Missouri's numbers are showing it. The Tigers are amongst leaders in the SEC (second) in defensive rebounding at 30.7 per game and lead the league in defensive rebounding percentage at 72.5.
• Mizzou continues to show quality depth off the bench this season as the team is averaging 26.4 points per game off the pine. Three different players average at least 6.0 points per game off the bench this season, led by 8.3 from sophomore Morgan Stock. Mizzou leads team by a +8.5 average per game off the bench this season. Over one-third of the Tigers' scoring comes from off the bench this season.