Truman's Tales
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Big test for Mizzou basketball early in season against Xavier

By Thomas Huitt-Johnson

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 14: Mitchell Smith #5 of the Missouri Tigers shoots the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the second round of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 14, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 14: Mitchell Smith #5 of the Missouri Tigers shoots the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the second round of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 14, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Mizzou basketball faces a tough test in just the second game of the season against No. 21-ranked Xavier.

The Mizzou basketball team hits the road in Week 2 of the 2019-20 basketball season. Four years ago, the Tigers took a trip to Cincinnati and played Xavier in the second week of the regular season. The two teams seem to play every season, with Xavier winning in 2015 and 2016 but the Tigers taking last year’s game 71-56.

Tonight, we get a real preview on how this year’s Mizzou basketball team should look as it plays No. 21 Xavier. It’s early on, so plenty of things could change. But it gives us a better look than the first two games of the season did.

Here’s a look at tonight’s game:

Records: Xavier 2-0; Mizzou 2-0

Where: Cintas Center in Cincinnati

Time: 6 p.m.

How to watch: CBS Sports Network

How to listen: TuneIn

Live stats: mutigers

Line: Xavier -5 courtesy of the Action Network

Over/under: -110 courtesy of the Action Network

Last year’s record: Xavier 19-16; Mizzou basketball: 15-17

Forwards Naji Marshall and Tyrique Jones offer the two biggest players for Xavier. The pair both have 37 points this season to lead the Musketeers. Jones is shooting at a 75 percent rate, going 15 of 20 from the field in their two games to begin the year.

Jeremiah Tilmon will have his work cut out for him tonight. Look to see if Tilmon still is having foul trouble and if he cant put up shots at his usual high percentage mark. Meanwhile, Xavier has struggled from the 3-point line, just like Mizzou has early on. Xavier is 10-for-42 from outside. It will be interesting to see which team has the better night behind the 3 to give their team a spark.

Next up: The Tigers get a long break and return home to take on Wofford next Monday night.

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