Missouri eager for faster start in encounter vs. VMI

After narrowly dodging an upset against Southeast Missouri State on Friday night, Missouri will try to rebound Sunday afternoon against Virginia Military Institute in Columbia, Mo.

The Tigers (2-0) will host the Keydets (2-0) to continue their nonconference schedule.

Missouri trailed SEMO by as many as nine points during the second half before pulling away to an 89-84 victory. The Tigers allowed the Redhawks to shoot 59.4% during first half before tightening their defense during the final 10 minutes of the game.

"You look at our angles of our closeouts in the first half, it wasn't hard to figure out what was happening," Missouri coach Dennis Gates said.

"I think we just showed more fight and . . . just got back to our principles," said Tigers forward Mark Mitchell, who led the Tigers with 29 points. "In the first half, we let them go middle, not doing things that we've been taught since early June. The second half, we just got back to that and had more desperation. That's all it was."

Missouri also turned the ball over 19 times and missed 12 free throws to give SEMO its opportunity for an upset.

The Tigers have five players averaging double-digit scoring after two games, led by Mitchell (19.0) and Jayden Stone (13.5). Center Shawn Phillips Jr. averages 11.5 points and 8.0 rebounds.

Forward Trent Pierce, who was expected to be a key rotation piece again this season, has yet to play.

Playing without star guard Rickey Bradley Jr., the Keydets recorded a 78-74 victory at Southern Indiana Friday night.

Forward TJ Johnson dominated that game with 32 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and three steals. Guard Tan Yildizoglu scored 12 points and earned five assists.

"This was a big culture win for us," VMI coach Andrew Wilson said. "We're playing without the preseason conference player of the year right now. For our guys to step up on the road and play in an environment like this on their opening night, it speaks volumes about our program and I'm so proud of our kids right now."

While the Keydets will enter Sunday's game with a distinct personnel disadvantage, their zone defenses could create a challenge for Missouri.

"We're in a different place right now than we have been during my tenure as a head coach," Wilson told the Field of 68 podcast. "My first three years have been a complete restart. Going into this season, we have a certain level of confidence in the defense that we play, it is very unique. Our players know it better than the coaching staff, which is awesome."

--Field Level Media