By Benjamin Herrold
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In the 1960s, retired golf legend Bobby Jones, trying to describe the incredible golfing dominance of Jack Nicklaus, said, “He plays a game with which I’m not familiar.”
On Saturday, Missouri hung tough with No. 20 Arizona, but eventually the Wildcats played a game with which the Tigers were not familiar, showing the difference between the two programs.
Missouri trailed by four early in the second half when the onslaught began, a 21-0 Arizona run that turned the game into a rout, eventually a 79-60 Arizona win.
The Wildcats buried Missouri (5-4 through Sunday) with an onslaught of three-pointers, towering players reeling in rebounds and ill-advised Tiger shot attempts.
Arizona (8-2) is an outstanding program with a talented roster, so losing isn’t some awful sign. But it was a vivid reminder Missouri has a long way to go in the rebuilding efforts under third-year coach Kim Anderson. As was the loss to North Carolina Central, which is after Duke probably the second best team from Durham, North Carolina. So there’s that.
There were a few positive signs. A crowd of over 10,000 showed up. After stumbling out of the gate, Missouri rallied late in the first half to only trail by five at the break.
From a broader perspective, transfer Jordan Barnett is not eligible and supposed to be pretty good. Reed Nikko should eventually get healthy, which could help with Missouri’s struggles around the rim.
The Tigers could use a strong finish to nonconference play, with some winnable games and then a chance to make a statement against Illinois in the annual Braggin’ Rights rivalry game.
First comes Saturday’s home game with Eastern Illinois (2:30 p.m. on SEC Network).
After the loss to North Carolina Central, no game can be taken for granted. But this is really a game Missouri should win. I don’t expect a blowout, really it could even be kind of ugly, but I think the Tigers will win, hopefully generating some good feelings heading into the Illinois game.
The annual Braggin’ Rights game in St. Louis on Wednesday, Dec. 21 (6 p.m. on ESPNU) is the most exciting game on Missouri’s schedule. The atmosphere is electric and the game is usually compelling, even if one of both teams are down.
Illinois (8-3) has won three straight in the series, but before that Missouri won four in a row, and before that the Illini won nine in a row.
I won’t say the game has lost luster, but neither program has been on a roll lately. From 1998 to 2013, at least one of the teams was ranked coming into the game 13 of 16 years. But this will be the third straight year neither team is ranked.
John Groce is in his fifth season coaching Illinois, and Kim Anderson is in his third season coaching Missouri. Both are coming off disappointing seasons, and need to show progress leading their programs this season. A win in the Braggin’ Rights game would be huge for either school. Just like it should be.