Mizzou Hoops Presser Notes: Mississippi State Week

Trying to win their first true street Quad 1 sport of the season, the Missouri Tigers journey to face Mississippi State at 5 p.m. Saturday in Starkville.

The Tigers have just one street victory in Southeastern Convention play, however did so within the state of Mississippi, knocking off Ole Miss on Jan. 24. Mizzou could have a chance to spice up its résumé for March whereas trying handy the Bulldogs their eighth SEC loss.

Tigers’ males’s basketball head coach Dennis Gates mentioned that risk and extra throughout a morning media session, through which he additionally gave updates on the staff’s progress.

Mississippi State showcases versatility

Saturday’s matchup will as soon as once more pit a first-year SEC coach in opposition to one other, as Chris Jans performs the position of host to the Gates-led Tigers.

“Chris Jans is somebody I respect,” Gates stated. “Clearly, an excellent coach. They’ve carried out an excellent and super job of constructing the toddler levels of their program as properly.”

The Bulldogs, recognized for his or her famend protection, have discovered methods to fight their below-average capturing percentages. Mississippi State boasts the No. 10 adjusted defensive effectivity within the nation, making them a tough opponent to run the rating up on.

“They primarily play a mode that I believe has, unquestionably, produced nice defensive numbers,” Gates stated.

Main the cost on the offensive finish for the Bulldogs is Tolu Smith, a 6’ 11” ahead who averages 14.5 factors and eight.2 rebounds per sport. He’s the one Mississippi State participant to common double figures.

“He’s (an) all-conference man,” Gates stated. “(He’s) very versatile, has nice size but additionally nice ball dealing with potential and he can shoot it higher than his numbers predict.”

Smith will lead a balanced Bulldogs offense that prides itself on slowing down the sport by its defensive fashion.

“I believe (this sport) is in the end the story of two techniques and we have now to attempt to play our fashion, and so they need to attempt to play theirs,” Gates stated. “We simply attempt to give our highest from the start to the top.”

Ronnie DeGray III and Tre Gomillion to stay out

For these hoping for a completely wholesome lineup someday this week, that notion was struck down within the remaining minutes of Gates’ press convention.

Ronnie DeGray III (knee) will stay out for the next week whereas looking for opinions on a knee sprain, and Tre Gomillion (groin) shall be “the identical manner.”

Even with out these two contributors, Mizzou’s offense has not missed a beat.

Isiaih Mosley and Mo Diarra have stepped up into the lacking holes, offering a fast and environment friendly sense of aid.

Gates stated Diarra is constantly getting higher, which appears to be an excellent signal for a Tigers’ roster in determined want of a robust rebounder outdoors of Kobe Brown.

“I believe you all can see the progress that he’s made out of the very first time (he performed),” Gates stated.

Diarra, who averages 3 factors and three.3 rebounds per sport, has been on a current surge. He has tallied 24 factors and 28 rebounds within the final three video games through which he has performed a minimum of 10 minutes.

“Participant improvement is important in our program, and everybody has to remain of their lane,” Gates stated. “Mo has carried out an excellent job of not evaluating himself (to others) but additionally being affected person.”

Kobe Brown popping up in SEC POY conversations

The continued emergence of Kobe Brown has grow to be a welcome sight to Mizzou followers.

Not solely is the dynamic scorer and rebounder replicating feats of the previous, however he’s additionally including to his repertoire with environment friendly 3-point capturing. This success has caught the eyes of many all through the SEC, resulting in a higher dialogue about Brown because the SEC Participant of the 12 months.

“Generally, you need to simply focus in your staff targets,” Gates stated. “As a result of in case your staff does issues, the person can win.”

All through the season, Gates has talked about the significance of staff basketball, an idea that’s replicated itself onto the courtroom for the Tigers.

“We don’t delight ourselves on one title being on any award,” Gates stated. “It belongs to our program, and we have a good time it that manner.”

With lower than 10 video games remaining on the schedule, Brown could have a couple of extra alternatives to make his case in opposition to convention competitors. That first probability will come Saturday in a sport that would play a major position on Choice Sunday.