What Mizzou basketball needs to know after exhibition loss to UNLV before season opener
Rebounding Trouble Cost Missouri
Missouri struggled to secure rebounds, losing that battle 44-31 and allowing 17 offensive boards. The Tigers missed box-outs, left UNLV players open and failed to win contested balls.
MJ Thomas and Tyrin Jones accounted for 10 of UNLV’s offensive rebounds. Missouri used several tall players, but the roster lacks a traditional center; head coach Dennis Gates had previously stressed that rebounding is essential for teams with Final Four ambitions.
Second-Half Offense Slows
The Tigers made seven of 14 three-point attempts in the first half, accounting for 21 points from beyond the arc. After halftime, they went two for nine from three and often tried to force entry passes.
Missouri’s turnovers rose from eight in the first half to 12 in the second. Those mistakes led to 25 UNLV points, while the Rebels also held a 28-17 advantage in fast-break scoring, including 22 such points after halftime.
Crowe Leads Scoring Effort
Jason Crowe Jr. led Missouri with 25 points and six assists, but also had five turnovers. He shot six for 18 overall and two for nine in the second half, while making 11 of 14 free throws.
Bryson Tiller grabbed eight rebounds but finished with five turnovers and a minus-22 plus-minus in less than 17 minutes. He had also recorded five turnovers in Missouri’s other exhibition game.
Bench Players Provide Bright Spots
Kennard Davis Jr. scored 10 points on efficient shooting and made two steals in 28 minutes. He was one of three Tigers to reach double figures, alongside Crowe and Toni Bryant.
Mitchell contributed eight points, four rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 16 minutes. Aidan Chronister scored six points, made both of his three-point attempts and posted Missouri’s best plus-minus, plus-11.
Key points
- Missouri fell 90-81 to UNLV after leading 48-43 at halftime.
- The Tigers were outrebounded 44-31 and gave up 17 offensive rebounds.
- Missouri’s 12 second-half turnovers helped UNLV score 25 points off turnovers.
- Jason Crowe Jr. led Missouri with 25 points and six assists.