Missouri looking to bounce back as Tigers host SIU Edwardsville

After suffering a 70-55 setback against Memphis, Missouri will try to hit the reset button when it hosts SIU Edwardsville in Columbia, Mo., on Monday.

The Tigers (1-1) raced to a 29-15 lead over Memphis in the first half, then fell apart. They now hope to reassemble against the Cougars (1-1).

“Our job is to regroup,” Missouri coach Dennis Gates said. “Our job is to continue to get better in this infant stage of the season.”

The Tigers rolled over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in their season opener, then went stone cold against Memphis. They missed 22 of 28 shots from 3-point range and shot just 32.1 percent overall.

“This is our second game of the season, so you’re trying to get into that rhythm,” Gates said. “I’m not surprised at the phase of the season we’re in. That’s where I would look at probably a little different if it was our tenth game or our last third of our season. But these guys know and understand I think ultimately we’ve got to do a better job and it starts with me.”

Missouri is paced by guards Sean East II (17.5 points per game) and Nick Honor (13.0). Forward Noah Carter averages 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds.

The Tigers will play without 7-foot-5 center Connor Vanover, who will finish out his three-game NCAA suspension for playing in an unauthorized event.

SIU Edwardsville fell 63-47 at Dayton in its season opener after leading for much of the first half. Then the Cougars struggled during the first half of their home game against Division III power North Park while trailing by as many as six points.

But they pulled away to a 92-67 victory.

“We didn’t do enough in the first half, but then we responded in the second half,” SIU Edwardsville coach Brian Barone said. “I was obviously pleased with the end result.”

The Cougars are led by twin 6-foot-7 wing players Shamar and Lamar Wright. Shamar Wright didn’t play in the opener, then scored 29 points against North Park.

Lamar Wright averages 11.0 points per game. Guards Damarco Minor (11.5 points per game) and Ray’Sean Taylor (11.0) are SIU Edwardsville’s other major offensive threats.

—Field Level Media