No. 22 Missouri Heads to Texas for a High-Stakes SEC Battle

Missouri is on fire, rolling into Austin on a four-game win streak, ready to take on Texas in a crucial SEC matchup. The Tigers are flying high, while the Longhorns are searching for answers after a tough start to conference play.

Missouri: Riding the Wave

Missouri (15-3, 4-1 SEC) has become a powerhouse in the Southeastern Conference. Last week, they showed their grit with a tight road win over No. 5 Florida and crushed Arkansas 83-65 at home. Caleb Grill and Mark Mitchell led the way with 17 points each, while Tamar Bates, Tony Perkins, and Trent Pierce chipped in with double-digit efforts.

Coach Dennis Gates is pumped about the team’s potential but insists there’s more to come. “We’re not even at our peak yet,” Gates said. “There’s still room to grow.”

Missouri’s only losses came against ranked teams: No. 24 Memphis, No. 17 Illinois, and SEC leader Auburn. With wins over Cal and then-No. 1 Kansas, they’ve proven they can compete with anyone.

Texas: Looking for a Breakthrough

The Longhorns (12-6, 1-4 SEC) have faced a brutal schedule in their first SEC season, with three top-five opponents in their first four league games. Their most recent outing, an 84-60 loss to Florida, highlighted their struggles. Texas collapsed in the second half, allowing a 15-2 run and failing to hit a field goal for over five minutes.

Still, there are bright spots. Tre Johnson scored 16 points in the loss, and Ze’Rik Onyema and Arthur Kaluma both recorded double-doubles. Coach Rodney Terry remains optimistic. “We’re learning from every game,” he said. “We have to stay competitive and give ourselves a chance late.”

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What to Watch

Missouri’s depth and balanced attack make them a nightmare for defenses. Caleb Grill and Mark Mitchell are on fire, and Tamar Bates’ hot starts can quickly put opponents on the back foot. On the other hand, Texas needs to find consistency on both ends of the floor. Home-court energy could help, but they’ll need big games from Tre Johnson and Ze’Rik Onyema to keep up.

Prediction

Missouri’s momentum and offensive depth give them the edge in this matchup. Texas’s home-court advantage might keep things close, but the Tigers’ ability to finish strong should seal the deal. Expect Missouri to pull away late in what promises to be a competitive showdown.