Entering December with a strong 6-1 record, Mizzou men’s basketball faced a challenging matchup against the University of California. The Tigers have developed a reputation for starting slow, and this game was no exception. Struggling offensively and committing seven turnovers in the first half, Mizzou found itself trailing 51-35 at the break. Andrei Stojakovic led the Golden Bears with 11 points in the opening half, as the Tigers never seemed to find their rhythm.
At halftime, Head Coach Dennis Gates addressed his team at midcourt before heading to the locker room. Whatever was said lit a fire under the Tigers, as they came out scorching to start the second half. The 16-point deficit quickly disappeared, and by the 11:30 mark, the game was tied at 64-64.
Despite early foul trouble, Anthony Robinson II was the star of the night, finishing with a career-high 29 points. His aggressive play saw him consistently getting to the free-throw line, where he shot an impressive 13-for-15. Down the stretch, Mark Mitchell made key plays in transition, scoring several clutch baskets at the rim to help seal a 98-93 comeback victory.
A surprising contributor in the win was big man Peyton Marshall, who stepped up in the second half. With Josh Gray in foul trouble, Marshall provided the spark Mizzou needed, logging 14 crucial minutes and making an impact on both ends of the floor. The Tigers’ resilience and balanced effort propelled them to a thrilling victory.
What looked good vs. Cal:
- 18-point second-half comeback
- 22/26 FG in the second half
- 20 points off the 10 Cal turnovers in the second half
- Anthony Robinson II has emerged as a great slasher and spark for this offense
- Tigers found a way to win without taking a lot of threes (only 9 attempts)
What looked bad vs. Cal:
- Free throw shooting (25/38)
- 3 starters were in foul trouble at times during this game (Robinson II, Bates, and Gray)
- Gave up a 17-0 run late within the last three minutes of the first half
In what was undoubtedly the biggest game on their schedule, the Tigers hosted the Kansas Jayhawks in a matchup that will be remembered for years on end. The narrative that Mizzou struggles to start games was quickly silenced, as the Tigers jumped out to a 16-8 lead by the 12-minute media timeout in the first half. Tamar Bates came out on fire, scoring 18 points in the opening half, while both Bates and Anthony Robinson II added three steals each.
Capitalizing on a sloppy half from Kansas, who committed 15 turnovers, Mizzou built a commanding 39-25 lead at the break. However, despite the 14-point halftime lead, Kansas stormed back in the second half with a massive 27-6 run. A once 24-point lead for the Tigers dwindled to just three in a span of 12 minutes, putting the Jayhawks on the verge of a dramatic comeback.
Mizzou’s poise at the free-throw line proved crucial, as the Tigers shot an impressive 26-for-31 overall and went a perfect 8-for-8 in the final four minutes. Those clutch free throws helped seal a 76-67 victory, giving Mizzou its first win over a No. 1 ranked opponent since 1997. The Tigers surged to an 8-1 record, earning a historic win over their top-ranked rival.
What looked good vs. Kansas:
- Defense looks to be legit as they forced 22 turnovers in the win (In addition, Anthony Robinson II may be one of the best perimeter defenders in the country)
- Free throw shooting (26/31)
What looked bad vs. Kansas:
- Mizzou almost choked a 24-point second half lead
- 27-6 Jayhawk run in the second half where the Tigers got careless with the ball
Takeaways from the week:
- This team is able to close out big games, something the Tigers couldn’t do in the past
- Anthonty Robinson II defensive intensity is outstanding
- This team should be able to win games in SEC play
- Doing all of this without their leading scorer in Caleb Grill
- Interior defense has shown to be great
Upcoming Games:
Saturday: Home vs. Long Island (11 am)