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Men's Basketball Preview: Mizzou vs. Eastern Washington

The Tigers face the Eagles at home Monday evening.

By Charley Duffin

Oct 15, 2024; Birmingham, AL, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Dennis Gates talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Oct 15, 2024; Birmingham, AL, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Dennis Gates talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images / Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
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Coming off its first win of the season against Howard, that many would call "too close for comfort", Mizzou will attempt to extend its winning streak on Monday night against Eastern Washington.

Mizzou struggled with three-point shooting and rebounding in that game, unable to put the Bison away. The Eagles are sure to have noticed that in film and will be look to take advantage of that tonight.

One aspect of the Eastern Washington squad that the Tigers haven't seen yet this season is its ability to play small-ball. Through their first games, which they split, they've started three guards and two forwards, with the tallest player being 6-foot-9 freshman Emmett Marquardt. The Eagles don't have more than one backup big man that gets consistent rotational minutes as well.

If Mizzou can successfully contain the small-ball lineup inside, and the shots aren't falling from beyond the arc, it could prove to be a long game for the Eagles.

On the contrary, with the speed of some of the smaller players on the Eagles' roster, it'll be very easy for them to take advantage of the Tigers' defense. Mizzou must be sure to defend the shooting and quickness of this Eastern Washington team.

The ball movement on offense has been smooth and efficient in both the Eagles' games this season, limiting turnovers and creating constant opportunities for scores, turning defense into offense and making it look like a breeze.

Eastern Washington has stayed competitive in the Big Sky conference over the past several years, currently riding a decade long streak of winning double digit games within conference play. They won their conference last season with a 15-3 record, before falling in the first round of the Big Sky tournament to Sacramento State.

In order for the Tigers to hold a record over .500 for the first time since early January of last year, they'll need to prioritize attacking the glass and defending without fouling. Above all, however, its important the Tigers must play from start to finish, as they saw the result of playing an incomplete game against Memphis.

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