Star player takes the squad to task after Missouri’s defeat over Georgia in their SEC opener

We may draw three conclusions from Mizzou’s home defeat to the Bulldogs, which ended in a 75-68 loss.

On Saturday, Missouri basketball took on the Georgia Bulldogs at Hearnes Center. In a highly contested game that included numerous large runs from both teams, the Tigers would lose. The Tigers’ current three-game losing streak is proof positive that not all losses are made equal. What, therefore, can we learn from the Tigers’ defeat to begin SEC play?

Lack of Identity Creates Offensive Struggles

Last year, Missouri achieved remarkable success by developing a distinctive 3-point shooting style. With the help of role players who could make huge shots when needed, star players took charge and produced plays when called upon. This year, the team has been lacking all of that.

The inability of the Tigers’ players to identify and accept their roles is the root of the team’s lack of identity. This game made the issues as evident as they have ever been. It is not possible that the squad and players from the previous season would have traded in contested layups for a lack of three-point shooting in the game’s closing minutes. This team is undoubtedly incredibly talented, but their all-out pursuit of the game-winning shot makes for poor clutch play. This was a glaring example of how the club still has to establish a go-to player they can rely on to win the game in the closing seconds.

Even before the start of conference play, the formations don’t appear to be settled, which hurts the Tigers’ offensive identity. There hasn’t been much consistency with player minutes during Mizzou’s recent cold streak. Aidan Shaw is a prime illustration of this, as he played for a far longer amount of time on the court today than he did in any of his previous three games. Gates may just be riding his luck, but even so, the disparity is significant and unsettling for a squad that struggles to identify its identity in the first place.

The kind of behind-the-arc success that propelled Missouri to a March Madness run just a year ago has not been repeated. Gates dismissed worries about the method during the team’s early problems and appeared ready to implement it this year. Regretfully, the Tigers’ 3-point % currently ranks them about 150th in the country. The Tigers shot little over 30 percent from three in today’s game, demonstrating their ongoing troubles.

Missouri will keep facing difficulties in the final moments of games until they identify their person and forge an identity.

That Being Said… Man Are They Fun

putting aside all of the criticism I leveled at Missouri in the last takeaway for this one.

Although Missouri is not a club that will contend for a national championship this year, the squad does have a roster full of extremely talented players and a knowledgeable coach. When Tamar Bates or Aidan Shaw smashes down a put-back dunk to reverse momentum, they generate a game-day atmosphere for supporters who might not turn up on paper. Something that, in spite of their late loss, was clearly visible.

Ten of Aidan Shaw’s fourteen points came from dunks, placing him at the vanguard of this thrilling attack. One following an incredible put-back and rebound that enthralled the crowd. In his turn to dazzle the fans, Nick Honor arrived from far downtown just as the shot clock was about to run out, giving Missouri three points.

With so many elite recruits coming in thanks to Gates and his staff’s outstanding work, Mizzou’s basketball team may be going through a transitional year. Whatever the outcome, the team’s capacity to rally supporters during defeat will be crucial to their success this season and the following one.

Down But Not Out

Missouri’s offensive woes have frequently left them behind in games, but they have also demonstrated an amazing capacity to remain composed under duress. Even large wins have been achieved by Missouri, as demonstrated by their victory over Minnesota, where they overcame a 20-point deficit in the second half.

In this game, Missouri would not alter their tactics, behind by 17 points early in the first half. Georgia started the game with an 8-for-11 three-point shooting performance, quickly putting the Tigers in a hole. Missouri had the opportunity to trail by more than 20 points going into the locker room, but they persevered as they did this entire season.

Missouri would embark on a 17-2 run to end the half, down by just 2 points going into the locker room. The score run turned the tide going into the changing rooms and kept the spectators present throughout the match. The Tigers would obviously lose this game, but come March, their ability to maintain composure under pressure is what makes Cinderella stories.