As the NCAA Tournament heats up, Missouri Tigers fans are keeping a close eye on their team’s offensive prowess. Head coach Dennis Gates has been emphasizing the fundamentals: strong rebounding and making frequent trips to the free-throw line. And it’s not just talk-there are some compelling stats backing up his strategy.
Mizzou stands out nationally, ranking 38th in free throws attempted and 77th in free throws made. However, their rebounding stats tell a different story, with the Tigers sitting at 110th in offensive rebounds and 214th in defensive rebounds per game.
These numbers might seem like just stats on paper, but they can be game-changers, as the Tigers have learned throughout the season. As a No. 10 seed, their performance in these areas will be critical to any hopes of a March Madness run.
The formula for success seems clear: Mizzou is 20-2 when they hit at least 73 points (19-1 in regulation), but they’re 0-10 when they fall short. When the Tigers win, they shoot 9.4% better from the field and 8.5% better from beyond the arc than their opponents. Over the past two seasons, Missouri boasts a 43-2 record when shooting 50% or better from the floor, including a stellar 25-1 since last season’s tip-off.
This Friday, the Tigers face off against No. 7 seed Miami in St. Louis, with tip-off set for 9:10 p.m.
Central Time on TruTV. Mizzou's shooting efficiency has been impressive, ranking 22nd nationally in field-goal percentage, 36th in effective field-goal percentage, and 38th in 2-point percentage.
However, their 3-point shooting leaves room for improvement, coming in at 119th nationally.
Individual performances will be crucial for Missouri’s tournament aspirations. Leading scorer Mark Mitchell, hailing from Kansas City, Kansas, has been on fire, putting up 32 points over his last two games-a feat not seen in the program since the 1987-88 season. Teammates Jayden Stone and Trent Pierce have also stepped up, finding their rhythm after returning from injuries.
Coach Gates has been strategic about keeping his squad healthy, especially as the season winds down. He’s seen growth in his team and remains optimistic about their potential.
“We’ve been able to close out and seal some possessions. But we have to continue to rebound.
We have to continue to fight through the physicality,” Gates remarked. “We have to continue to make some free throws and I think that will continue to help us.”
With the tournament stage set, the Tigers are ready to show what they’re made of. If they can maintain their shooting efficiency and tighten up on the boards, Missouri might just have what it takes to make a memorable run.