Missouri Tigers vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks Picks and Predictions December 17th 2024

Missouri Looks to Stay Focused Against Jacksonville State

Fresh off a dominant win and a major upset just days ago, Missouri faces Jacksonville State on Tuesday in what could easily become a “trap game.” With a 9-1 record and a marquee matchup against Illinois looming this weekend, Missouri head coach Dennis Gates is keeping his team grounded, emphasizing discipline and improvement as they look to continue their hot start.

Preaching Improvement: Gates Demands More

Despite Missouri’s strong record, Gates hasn’t let up on his message of continuous improvement. After their massive 76-67 upset over top-ranked Kansas, Gates pointed to one key area for growth: taking care of the ball and producing efficient offense.

“When I say, ‘Take care of the basketball,’ I want to see a bigger deviation between assists and turnovers,” Gates said. “I want to see 18, 19 assists.”

The Tigers delivered in their next outing, racking up 20 assists in an 88-61 rout of Long Island University. Now, Missouri aims for its second 10-1 start in the last three seasons, while staying sharp ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Illinois.

Stepping Up in Caleb Grill’s Absence

Missouri has been playing short-handed since Nov. 27, when guard Caleb Grill suffered an injury to his “head and neck” area. Grill, who was averaging 15.5 points per game, remains day-to-day, and the Tigers have leaned on their depth to fill the void.

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Guards Marques Warrick and Anthony Robinson II have answered the call, providing key contributions off the bench. Warrick dropped 12 points in a tight 98-93 win over Cal, while Robinson has averaged 16 points over the team’s recent stretch, including wins against Cal, Kansas, and LIU.

Graduate student Tony Perkins has also stepped into a larger role, starting the last two games and providing leadership on both ends of the floor. Gates praised Perkins’ maturity and impact on the team.

“He has enough experience to lend a hand to his teammates, give great advice to young people, but also galvanize our unit,” Gates said.

Jacksonville State Relies on Pierre Jr.’s Scoring Explosion

Jacksonville State (6-4) enters Tuesday’s matchup looking to play spoiler. The Gamecocks are led by guard Jaron Pierre Jr., one of the most prolific scorers in the country. Averaging 23.2 points per game—good for fourth in Division I—Pierre is the heart of Jacksonville State’s offense.

Pierre’s ability to score at all three levels makes him a constant threat. His backcourt partner, Jamar Franklin, highlighted Pierre’s versatility after their 70-66 victory over Utah Valley last Saturday.

“(Pierre) can give you whatever you want,” Franklin said. “He can score at all three levels.”

In addition to his scoring, Pierre leads the Gamecocks with 4.5 assists per game, making him the focal point of their offensive game plan.

Key Matchup: Missouri’s Defense vs. Jaron Pierre Jr.

Stopping Jaron Pierre Jr. will be Missouri’s top priority. The Tigers have been strong defensively, holding opponents to limited opportunities and forcing mistakes. However, Pierre’s ability to create his own shot and distribute the ball will test Missouri’s perimeter defense.

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On offense, Missouri’s depth and ball movement will need to stay sharp to avoid any lapse in focus. Jacksonville State’s backcourt duo of Pierre and Franklin can keep the Gamecocks competitive if the Tigers aren’t fully locked in.

Staying Focused on the Task at Hand

For Missouri, Tuesday’s game is a chance to show maturity and consistency. While the Illinois showdown looms large, Gates will be watching closely to see if his team can avoid overlooking Jacksonville State and continue building on their strong start.

“We can’t take any team lightly,” Gates has emphasized, knowing that success requires focus game by game.

Will Missouri’s depth and disciplined approach be too much for Jacksonville State, or can Pierre Jr. and the Gamecocks pull off the upset? The Tigers will need to avoid complacency to secure their 10th win of the season.