Alabama Basketball Opponent Preview: Missouri Tigers

Alabama basketball faces a tough test on Saturday evening, going on the road to play a good Missouri team. The Missouri Tigers are 14-4, but just 3-3 in the league. They will attempt to get back above .500 in conference play, while Alabama hopes to remain unblemished.

Missouri is coming off of a narrow, emotionally charged home win over Arkansas. The Tigers have also beaten Kentucky and Vanderbilt in the league, while losing at Arkansas, at Texas A&M, and at Florida.

Out of conference, Missouri’s notable games include an impressive 22-point win over Illinois and a lopsided loss to Kansas.

Dennis Gates’ team is currently undefeated at home in SEC play. The Tigers are 11-1 for the season on their home court, losing only to Kansas. This will not be an easy environment for Alabama basketball to walk into and leave with a victory.

Missouri is led by Huntsville native Kobe Brown, one of the more well-rounded players in the SEC. The senior is averaging 15.7 points and 5.6 rebounds, leading the team in both categories for the second consecutive season. At 6’7” and 240 pounds, he is a load around the basket. Brown is also very skilled, adding 2.4 assists per game and shooting over 40 percent from the three-point line.

Senior guard D’Moi Hodge, a Cleveland State transfer, has been a huge addition for Missouri. He is averaging 14.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and an SEC-leading 2.6 steals per game.

Senior wing DeAndre Gholston is another transfer addition. Gholston joined the Tigers from Milwaukee, and is contributing 10.8 points per game.

Senior forward Noah Carter gives Missouri 10.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Along with Kobe Brown, Carter is Missouri’s closest thing to a true big man at 6’6″ and 235 pounds.

Senior guard Nick Honor transferred from Clemson, and provides a physical backcourt presence. Honor averages 8.9 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. Senior guard Sean East, a Bradley transfer, adds 8.2 points and 2.9 assists per contest.

Senior wing Isiaih Mosley transferred in from Missouri State, where he was one of the best mid-major players in the country. He has not made an overwhelming contribution this season, but he is a very talented scorer and playmaker.

The Tigers’ revamped roster is made up mostly of transfers. While they may not yet have elite chemistry, they are much older than Alabama and loaded with collegiate experience.

While Missouri is a formidable opponent, Alabama basketball should be able to handle them, even on the road. Bama’s massive size advantage and consistent dominance on the glass could be a deciding factor in this game.

In a close game, the Crimson Tide’s dynamic freshmen duo of Brandon Miller and Noah Clowney could also be an X-factor.