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Start time: 8:30 p.m.
TV: SEC Network
Live stream: WatchESPN
Radio: 107.5 The Game in Columbia
The South Carolina Gamecocks travel west to take on the Missouri Tigers tonight as they look to keep pace with Kentucky in the SEC race. The Tigers are winless in SEC play this season but anything can happen on the road. Last season, Carolina suffered a critical 72-67 defeat on the road for Missouri’s tenth and final win.
Missouri enters the contest on an 11 game losing streak. The streak includes defeats to Eastern Illinois, Lipscomb and all seven of their conference games. They have played well at times this season. They lost to #24 Xavier in overtime earlier in the year and also have played Georgia, Auburn and Ole Miss down to the wire in SEC play.
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Mizzou has two players averaging double figures on the season so far. Junior forward Jordan Barnett (12.5) and sophomore forward Kevin Puryear (11.8) lead the team in scoring. Guard Terrance Phillips has been playing better as of late. The sophomore is averaging 13.1 points per game in SEC play.
Last time out the Tigers fell to Mississippi State in Starkville. Mizzou led at the half before losing 89-74. Barnett scored 18 to lead the team. He has hit double figures in six of seven SEC games this season.
While it would be too much to ask for Carolina to replicate their shooting performance from the win over Auburn, they still need some guys to find consistency. Duane Notice broke out with 27 points last time out but he has only scored double figures in back-to-back games once this season. Chris Silva has picked up his scoring in league play, averaging 11.1 points per game. He has provided consistent scoring as long as he stays out of foul trouble. Picking up four or more fouls in 14 of 20 games this season, Silva’s production could become more regular with more time on the court. He has hit double figures in 12 of 20 games this year but also has been held six points or less six times this season. He played less than 18 minutes in each of those games.
This week can spark a run of consistency from the pair as Carolina plays the bottom two of the league. Tonight is the first of two the Gamecocks must win to stay away from the bubble.