Mizzou vs. Arkansas: A Rivalry Renewed
Get ready, basketball fans! The Mizzou Tigers are set to reignite their rivalry with the Arkansas Razorbacks this Saturday at Bud Walton Arena. With tipoff at 3 p.m. on ESPN, this clash promises to be a thrilling showcase of SEC talent.
Tigers on the Prowl
Missouri is riding high with an 18-8 overall record and an 8-5 mark in SEC play. Their recent victory over No.
19 Vanderbilt, a nail-biting 81-80 win, saw five Tigers scoring in double figures. They've won four of their last five games, and the momentum is strong.
Leading the charge is senior Mark Mitchell, who’s been a force with 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. With three players averaging double figures and two more close behind, the Tigers boast an impressive scoring arsenal, averaging 80.1 points per game while allowing 74.5 on defense.
Razorbacks Ready to Strike
Arkansas enters the matchup with a 19-7 record, sitting at 9-4 in the SEC. Ranked No. 20 in the AP poll and No. 17 by coaches, the Razorbacks are eager to bounce back after a tough double-overtime loss to Alabama, 117-115.
Darius Acuff Jr. leads the Razorbacks, pouring in 22.3 points and dishing out 6.2 assists per game. Trevon Brazile dominates the boards with 7.2 rebounds. Arkansas’ high-octane offense averages 89.8 points, with their defense allowing 78.0.
A Storied Series
Dating back to 1950, Arkansas holds a 36-28 advantage over Mizzou. Last season, each team defended its home court, with the Tigers taking an 83-65 win at Mizzou Arena before the Razorbacks claimed a 92-85 victory in Fayetteville. Arkansas has been formidable at home, winning the last four matchups against Mizzou there.
Mark Mitchell: The Catalyst
Mark Mitchell is the engine driving Mizzou's success. He’s on track to become just the second player in school history to lead the team in points, rebounds, and assists for a season. His 4.4 assists per SEC game rank him sixth in the league, with over half leading to three-pointers.
Mitchell’s impact is undeniable. He contributes to 36.4% of the Tigers’ points in league play, and Mizzou is 8-1 when he accounts for 27 or more points.
Perimeter Power
Behind Mitchell, the Tigers have a trio of sharpshooters in Jayden Stone, Trent Pierce, and Jacob Crews. These players are not only scoring threats but also lethal from beyond the arc, each shooting over 37.5% from three-point range. This season marks the first time Mizzou has had three players achieving such a feat.
Rising to the Occasion
In their recent win over Vanderbilt, several Tigers hit new highs. Mark Mitchell and T.O. Barrett set career bests in assists, while Jayden Stone nailed four triples, and Trent Burns grabbed a career-best seven rebounds.
The Magic Number: 73
For Mizzou, scoring 73 points seems to be the key to victory. They are undefeated when hitting this mark, but winless when they fall short. Averaging 80.1 points this season, the Tigers are shooting significantly better in their wins.
Road Warriors
The Tigers are looking to extend their road success, having already claimed three SEC victories away from home, including a historic win at Kentucky. A win on Saturday would mark their first three-game road winning streak in SEC play.
As Mizzou and Arkansas prepare to battle it out, fans can expect a game filled with intensity, skill, and a bit of rivalry magic. Let the showdown begin!