The Missouri Tigers are set to face off against the Arkansas Razorbacks, with the latter averaging 85.4 points per game over their last five contests, a stretch that has seen them go 4-1, including an 88-75 win over Auburn and a 91-62 thrashing of LSU on the road. This high-powered offense will be put to the test against a Missouri team that has been struggling to find consistency, as evidenced by their 3-2 record over the last five games, during which they have been outscored by an average of 3.6 points per game. Missouri's recent form has been marked by a 68-85 loss to Texas, a 86-85 win over Texas A&M, and a 64-90 drubbing at the hands of Alabama, highlighting the team's defensive struggles, which have seen them allow an average of 79.6 points per game over the last five contests.
As we take a closer look at the individual players, it's clear that Arkansas has a number of talented scorers, while Missouri must rely on their defense to slow down the Razorbacks' attack.
The Razorbacks' high-powered offense has been led by a number of players, including their star guard, who has been on a tear of late, averaging 22.1 points per game over the last five contests, a stretch that has seen him shoot 47.5% from the field and 42.1% from three. Meanwhile, Missouri's leading scorer has struggled to find his footing, averaging just 15.4 points per game over the last five contests, a stretch that has seen him shoot just 38.5% from the field and 30.8% from three. This disparity in scoring could prove to be a major factor in the game, as Arkansas's ability to put up points in bunches could overwhelm Missouri's defense, which has struggled to contain opponents of late.
As we look ahead to the game, it's clear that Arkansas is the favored team, with a predicted margin of victory of 11.3 points, according to the CHD Scout prediction.
CHD Scout Prediction
Missouri
74
Arkansas
86
This prediction is based on a number of factors, including Arkansas's high-powered offense, which has averaged 85.4 points per game over the last five contests, and Missouri's struggles on defense, which have seen them allow an average of 79.6 points per game over the last five contests. Additionally, Arkansas's ability to take care of the ball, with a turnover margin of +2.5 per game over the last five contests, could prove to be a major factor in the game, as Missouri has struggled to create turnovers, with a margin of -1.2 per game over the last five contests.
The implications of this game are significant, particularly for Missouri, which is currently on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament.
A win for the Tigers would be a major boost to their resume, as it would give them a much-needed Quad 1 win, and would likely move them up in the NET rankings. On the other hand, a loss would be a significant setback, as it would drop them to 7-6 in the SEC, and would make it much more difficult for them to secure a tournament bid. For Arkansas, a win would be a nice addition to their resume, as it would give them another Quad 2 win, and would keep them in the running for a top-4 seed in the tournament. However, a loss would be a significant upset, and would likely drop them in the NET rankings, making it more difficult for them to secure a high seed in the tournament.
As the game approaches, it's clear that Arkansas is the team to beat, with their high-powered offense and strong defense making them a formidable opponent. Missouri, on the other hand, must rely on their defense to slow down the Razorbacks' attack, and must find a way to score consistently against a tough Arkansas defense. The Tigers have averaged just 76 points per game over their last five contests, a stretch that has seen them go 3-2, and must find a way to increase that output if they hope to keep up with the Razorbacks. With Arkansas's ability to score in bunches, and Missouri's struggles on defense, it's likely that the Razorbacks will come out on top, and will secure a much-needed win to keep them in the running for a top-4 seed in the tournament. Arkansas's recent form, which has seen them outscore their opponents by an average of 11.6 points per game over the last five contests, suggests that they have the firepower to overwhelm Missouri, and secure a double-digit victory.