MBB Preview: No. 19 South Carolina vs. Missouri

No. 19 South Carolina (15-1) vs. Missouri (8-8)

WATCH: 1:00 p.m. ET, SEC Network

Despite coming off their first loss of the season, the South Carolina Gamecocks have plenty to celebrate during Saturday afternoon's contest with the Missouri Tigers.

Pregame festivities will include the presentation of a game ball to junior Sindarius Thornwell. Head coach Frank Martin will present the ball to Thornwell for achieving 1,000 career points. The wing surpassed that mark last weekend in USC's win over Vanderbilt. Thornwell became the 42^nd player in school history to reach the 1,000-point threshold.

In perhaps the most anticipated moment of the afternoon, new South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp will speak to the crowd at halftime. These speeches were always an exciting, hilarious affair with Steve Spurrier. Muschamp will likely create the same applause and it's safe to say Saturday's sellout has a lot to do with his presence. The former Florida coach will introduce his staff during the presentation as well.

Missouri assistant coach Brad Loos has a daughter who was diagnosed with cancer last fall. Rhyan, a five-year old, will be honored during the game. Players and coaches will wear gold ribbons to bring awareness to Rhyan's condition and pediatric cancer research. A classy and cool gesture by the Gamecock program.

The Gamecocks are looking to rebound after a nightmare of a night earlier this week against Alabama. The Tide connected on 12 of their 21 three-point attempts as they struck USC with their first loss of the season. South Carolina's shooting didn't make the trip to Tuscaloosa and no matter the effort Martin's group gave on defense, ‘Bama was knocking down their shots.

Arkansas wiped the floor with Missouri, 94-61, on the Tigers' home floor Tuesday night. Worse news followed the horrible loss. The university announced a self-imposed postseason ban this year, a loss of scholarships and the vacation of 23 wins from the 2013-14 season. More penalties may follow thanks to multiple NCAA violations under former Missouri coach Frank Haith.

Missouri won three consecutive games against South Carolina when they entered the SEC but the Gamecocks emerged victorious in both meetings last season. The Tigers have lost 15 games on the road in conference play and that streak is not expected to stop Saturday. Frank Martin will have his team prepared and motivated after its awful play against Alabama.