Two surging groups, No. 14 Missouri and gritty Vanderbilt, will put their momentum in opposition to each other after they sq. off Saturday in a key Southeastern Convention sport in Nashville, Tenn.
Missouri beat Vanderbilt 75-66 at house earlier this season and owns a 10-8 edge all time in opposition to the Commodores. A complete of 15 of 17 video games between the packages have been gained by the house staff, with one impartial website contest.
The Tigers (21-7, 10-5 SEC) journey to Nashville after a 101-71 house dismantling of South Carolina on Tuesday. Caleb Grill led Missouri with 22 factors whereas Anthony Robinson II had 14 factors and eight assists, Mark Mitchell and Tony Perkins poured in 13 factors apiece, Tamar Bates scored 11 and Jacob Crews added 10.
It was the primary time that Missouri had six gamers in double-figure scoring in an SEC sport and the 30-point win was its largest in league play since additionally beating Arkansas by the identical quantity on March 5, 2013. The Tigers shot 63.5 % from the sector for his or her second-highest complete all-time in an SEC sport.
“It was only a full staff effort and that is essentially the most troublesome to beat,” Grill mentioned. “Once we’re clicking like that, it makes us actually powerful to beat. I do not assume we have performed our greatest sport but. I do not assume we have discovered our greatest rhythm but and I believe we’ll discover that stretch coming ahead. Every sport we get slightly higher, and we simply need to preserve stacking video games like that.”
Missouri has gained 4 of its previous 5 video games, with its 10 wins by means of 15 video games its most as a member of the league in 2013.
Vanderbilt (19-9, 7-8 SEC) heads house after a stirring 86-84 victory at No. 12 Texas A&M on Wednesday. It was the Commodores’ second straight win over a ranked staff and the fourth over a squad ranked within the Prime 25 in SEC play.
The Commodores, who led by 10 factors with 3:33 to play, have been shackled by foul bother and late turnovers however held on due to Tyler Nickel’s 21 factors on a career-high seven 3-pointers. MJ Collins added 16 factors and Jason Edwards had 15 for Vanderbilt.
“Numerous occasions as a coach you need to win while you should win and I felt like we did, however A&M virtually pulled it from us,” Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington mentioned. “Pleased with our guys. It is one in all our greatest wins this 12 months, perhaps one of the best win, beating staff like this on the highway on the finish of February. It was necessary for us.”
The win, mixed with the Commodores’ victory over then-No. 24 Ole Miss on Feb. 22, doubtless assured Vanderbilt a spot within the NCAA Event. The Commodores have video games in opposition to unranked Arkansas and Georgia after Saturday’s go to from Missouri.
“The video games are necessary now,” Byington added. “You need to play significant video games on the finish of February, play significant video games in March and we’re. We have had moments the place I really feel like we’re typically higher, however you have to win. We’ll take it any manner potential.”
–Subject Degree Media