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Mizzou basketball: Post players bring experience to Tigers

By Thomas Huitt-Johnson

ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 08: Jeremiah Tilmon #23 of the Missouri Tigers shoots the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 8, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 08: Jeremiah Tilmon #23 of the Missouri Tigers shoots the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 8, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Mizzou basketball will play a lot of small all this year. But when they need to go big, the Tigers have the ability

Jeremiah Tilmon has been the go-to guy down low for Mizzou basketball since his freshman season. He’s back for his third year in CoMo, and nothing has changed.

Tilmon has started 63 games in two seasons for the Tigers, and the experience he has gained over those two years will help Mizzou this season. Tilmon thought about entering the NBA Draft last year, but chose to come back to lead this younger roster in Year 3 under Cuonzo Martin.

They all will benefit from that decision.

Tilmon averaged 10 points and nearly 6 rebounds per game last year, and he added a team-high 25 blocks. He can play on both ends of the floor.

The junior shot 54 percent from the field, his second straight season in which he shot better than 50 percent. The Tigers hope to build on that accuracy this year. The problem with the 6-foot-10 big is foul trouble. If he can stay on the floor this year, Mizzou has one of the best down-low options in the SEC.

Next to Tilmon will be a host of smaller guards and wings, but the Tigers can play Mitchell Smith at the 4 or the 5. Smith gives the Tigers a big option who can pop outside and knock down a 3.

The 6’10 junior hit 10 3-pointers last season, and the Tigers look to give him more opportunities for an outside shot this year. Smith took a redshirt year in 2017-18 after getting injured his freshman season, so the junior is entering his fourth season on the team.

Adding depth at the 5 spot is the lone senior on the team in Reed Nikko. The big man has played in 86-consecutive games for Mizzou, including all 32 contests last year. Nikko can spare Tilmon at any point of the game, and Mizzou trusts the senior to make stops on the defensive end.

The fourth post player on the team will be Axel Okongo. The newcomer stands 7-foot tall, and comes to Mizzou after spending a year at the JUCO level.

Next. Mizzou basketball: Tigers have more wings than last year. dark

Mizzou also will lean on Kobe Brown and Tray Jackson to play near the hoop this season, and it’s possible that’s what Mizzou does most of the game. But when it needs to bring Smith in, the Tigers can play him next to Tilmon if they choose.

The experience down low is better than it’s been in the past, and Mizzou has more of an advantage this year because of that.

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