Missouri aims to cap perfect nonconference home slate vs. Alabama State

Missouri will try to finish its nonconference home schedule unbeaten when it hosts Alabama State on Monday night in Columbia, Mo.

The Tigers (10-2) have won all 10 games on their home court so far, with their only losses coming at Memphis, 83-75, in the season opener and against Illinois, 80-77, in St. Louis on Dec. 22.

This is Missouri's final tune-up before starting Southeastern Conference play on Jan. 4.

"The SEC has proven to be the best conference in the country so far," Tigers guard Tamar Bates said. "Being in these close games and having these lessons to look back on, we will know what we have to clean up."

Missouri coach Dennis Gates saw positives in the Tigers' losses to NCAA Tournament-caliber teams.

"I'm thankful for the way we respond in adversity," Gates said. "That's what ... our two losses provide. It provides Intel of how our guys have stayed connected through a little adversity ... they've stuck together and they've dug themselves out of certain situations."

Guard Mark Mitchell leads Missouri with 13.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Bates (12.7 ppg) and fellow guard Anthony Robinson II (10.7) have picked up the slack for the Tigers while Caleb Grill (13.6) remains sidelined with a neck injury.

Tony Perkins is coming off his best game since transferring to Missouri this season from Iowa. The guard stepped up with 18 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals against Illinois when Robinson struggled.

Alabama State (4-8) will begin its Southwestern Athletic Conference slate after facing the Tigers. The Hornets, who were picked sixth in the SWAC's preseason poll, have earned victories over Omaha, Lamar, UT Martin and Division III school Virginia-Lynchburg.

"When we get to January, we'll have to figure out how to make moves and get that position up where we need to be," Alabama State coach Tony Madlock said. "The most important thing, like we all know, is to get playing well going into March and then find a way to go those three games (at the SWAC tourney) and get to the NCAA Tournament."

The Hornets are led by guards CJ Hines (15.8 points per game), Amarr Knox (15.6) and TJ Madlock (12.1).

Hines had 25 points and six rebounds in Alabama State's 83-80 loss to Delaware State at the HBCU Classic on Dec. 20.

--Field Level Media