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Game preview: Gamecocks, Mizzou set to square off after weather postponement

The Tigers finally made it to the Real Columbia, so let’s play some basketball.

Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina (7-7, 2-0 SEC) vs. Missouri (9-4, 0-1)

Start time: 1 p.m.

TV: SEC Network+

Live stream: watchespn.com

Last game

South Carolina continued its surprising start to SEC play by bagging a top-15 upset against No. 14 Mississippi State, outlasting the Bulldogs 87-82 in overtime. After holding a narrow lead at the half, the Gamecocks then had to dig themselves out of a hole that grew as deep as 14 points to force the extra period. Maik Kotsar was the star and the hero in this one, posting a career-high 25 points with nine rebounds, and making huge plays down the stretch in regulation to keep South Carolina alive. Chris Silva added a double-double (11 points, 12 rebounds) and Hassani Gravett poured in 17 points as he continues to play his best basketball yet.

What to watch for

The game was postponed 24 hours because of snow hampering Mizzou’s travel plans, but we’re finally ready to get this party started. Like the Gamecocks, the Tigers are also entering this contest on a roll, having won four of their past five, which includes victories over Illinois and Xavier. They opened conference play last week with an 87-63 loss against third-ranked Tennessee, but that’s hardly a strike against them. Jordan Geist paces the Tigers with 13.8 points per game, and Mark Smith (11.7) and Jeremiah Tilmon (10.2) join him in double figures. Missouri is shooting 39.1 percent from behind the arc, tops in the SEC, and also features the second-best scoring defense in the league, holding opponents to 65 points per game.