Missouri was projected as a 10-seed before their most recent loss to the Razorbacks. Missouri now finds themselves with more work to do and little room for error. At home, the Tigers are 14-2 SU but only 7-9 ATS. However, when a home underdog, they're 3-0 SU & ATS. Tennessee has won nine of their last 10 games but also have Bama on deck Saturday. The Tigers shoot 58.4% from the field, at home, and create matchup issues with size on the perimeter. This one means more for Missouri and they’re also 5-1 ATS in the last six against the Volunteers.
Missouri has been on a recent run of higher scoring games (four straight overs, all clearing at least 153 points), and there are a few edges to be found in a game that could easily flirt with the upper 70s. Missouri has one of the starkest home-road splits for three-point shooting in SEC play, connecting on 37.1% from deep at home while that number plummets to 31.2% on the road. If Missouri can dial up disruptive defense (Tennessee ranks 16th in turnover percentage in SEC play) that gets the Tigers into transition opportunities those will help boost scoring, as will Tennessee’s elite status when it comes to offensive rebounds. So even in a game without crazy pace, there are plenty of paths to finding buckets.
