Opinion
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Mizzou Arena Set for Missouri Tigers Clash with Arkansas Razorbacks

As the Missouri Tigers prepare to host the Arkansas Razorbacks at Mizzou Arena, fans are eager to see if their team can bounce back from a series of challenging games. The upcoming contest on February 1st promises to be a pivotal moment in the Tigers' season.


Dec 3, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers center Connor Vanover (75) celebrates after a score against the Wichita State Shockers during the first half at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The recent performance of the Missouri Tigers has been a mixed bag, with moments of brilliance overshadowed by inconsistency. On December 23rd against Illinois Fighting Illini, despite putting up an impressive 73 points, they were outplayed in almost every statistical category. Their field goal percentage stood at 39 percent compared to Illinois's 49 percent, and they were particularly lackluster from beyond the arc, hitting only 22 percent of their three-point attempts. Moreover, their free throw percentage was just over half at 56 percent.


However, there's a silver lining as we saw an improved performance against Seton Hall Pirates on December 17th where they scored more efficiently with a field goal percentage of 45 and an outstanding three-point shooting at an even 50 percent. They also excelled at free throws with an accuracy rate of around 86 percent but ultimately fell short by six points in that high-scoring affair.


The most concerning aspect for MIZZ is their defensive play and rebounding ability which was evident during their game against Kansas Jayhawks on December 9th. The Jayhawks outrebounded them by a significant margin (42-25) and had better ball distribution which is something MIZZ will need to address before facing ARK.


On the other side of the court stands ARK who will enter Mizzou Arena as formidable opponents. They have shown resilience throughout this season and will undoubtedly challenge every possession fiercely.


For MIZZ to emerge victorious against ARK, they must capitalize on home-court advantage and harness energy from fans filling up Mizzou Arena seats. Improving shot selection and tightening defense could be key factors in turning past shortcomings into future successes.


Fans should mark their calendars for what could be one of the most intense matchups this season scheduled for February 1st at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, MO starting at 7:30 PM local time (8:30 PM ET). The game will be broadcast nationally on SEC Network channel number six hundred eleven for those who can't make it to witness it live.

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