After back-to-back road games against top-10 opponents, the Hoop Hogs will return to Bud Walton Arena to host No. 15 Missouri. Arkansas is coming off a 67-60 loss to No. 1 Auburn and needs a few more wins to secure an NCAA Tournament bid. The Tigers, meanwhile, are coming off an impressive win over No. 4 Alabama.
Previewing Missouri
The last time Arkansas and Missouri faced off in Columbia, the Tigers defeated the Razorbacks 83-65. Missouri had five players score in double digits and shot well from the field and from three-point range. The Tigers have the fifth-best offense in the SEC, averaging 83.7 points per game, and rank second in the conference in field goal percentage, shooting 48.5% as a team.
Missouri’s offense has been led by guards Mark Mitchell, Tamar Bates, and Caleb Grill, who all average over 13 points per game and shoot over 50% from the field. Grill has also been lethal from three-point range, making 45.7% of his attempts. Mitchell is coming off a huge performance against Alabama, scoring 31 points on 73.3% shooting. Arkansas’ guards will need to apply pressure and limit Missouri’s open looks.
Previewing the Hoop Hogs
The Razorbacks will need Zvonimir Ivisic to improve his offensive performance after struggling against Auburn. In that game, he shot 0-for-10 from the field and 0-for-9 from three-point range in 30 minutes. However, he contributed defensively with two steals and three blocks against the No. 1 team in the country.
Freshman Karter Knox has found his offensive rhythm in the last two games. Against No. 8 Texas, he scored 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three-point range, and followed that with 11 points against Auburn on 5-of-6 shooting while making his only three-point attempt. Defensively, he has stepped up as well, recording at least one block and one steal in his last three games.
A win over Missouri would be crucial for the Razorbacks, who have yet to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. With only five games remaining on the schedule, Arkansas needs as many wins as possible to strengthen its tournament resume.
Broadcast Information
Time: 7 p.m. CST
Date: Feb. 22
Location: Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville, Ark.
TV: ESPN