Three takeaways for Mizzou basketball from the Hall of Fame Classic

The Mizzou basketball team had home-court advantage for the Hall of Fame Classic at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Despite the home crowd cheering them on, the Tigers left the event with two losses in two days.

Coming into the Hall of Fame Classic, Mizzou basketball had a 4-1 record and looked to pick up key wins at the Sprint Center. However, Butler and Oklahoma sent the Tigers back home with a 4-3 record and the first real setback of the season.

While Missouri still has a long season ahead of them, there is a lot to learn from these past two games.

1.) Shooting woes continue

It’s not that Mizzou doesn’t have any shooters. They have plenty, including the school record holder for made 3s by a freshman in Torrence Watson. Anyone who watches Missouri also knows that Mark Smith is deadly when he catches fire.

Yet the Tigers struggle to eclipse 30 percent shooting from downtown.

If Mizzou can’t find a way to knock down open shots, then they won’t go anywhere. Most of the problems this team has experienced has stemmed from the inability to put the ball in the basket. Whether it’s more creative play-calling or a faster paced offense, Missouri must get their shooting going.

2.) Starting slow isn’t acceptable

Missouri somehow found a way to start off both of their games in an 18-5 hole. With their slow paced offense, the Tigers can’t play from behind and be successful.

If Mizzou really wants to be a ‘Grit-and-Grind’ team, they need to set that tone immediately. Starting the game by playing tough defense and limiting turnovers can open up so much for the Tigers.

This team starts slow and plays slow. Those aren’t compatible. Starting fast and controlling the game with a slower pace might be their best shot at winning games.

3.) They are YOUNG

No one likes to wait but there is a reason people say patience is a virtue. This is a very young and inexperienced roster and skipping the growing pains doesn’t seem to be an option. Reed Nikko is the only senior on the team.

Assuming no one declares for the NBA Draft, the Tigers should return all five starters and most of their bench. If losses like these helps teach these guys how to win later on, so be it.

This squad should be competitive in the SEC this year regardless of these recent results. The Tigers truly aren’t far from being a quality program.