What a turnaround it’s been for head coach Dennis Gates and his deep roster filled with shooters, defenders, and facilitators. At this time last year, the Missouri Tigers had already dropped their first four conference games and were on their way to a disastrous season, ending with a 19-game losing streak and failing to secure a single conference victory.
So far this season, Mizzou boasts an impressive 14-3 record with a strong résumé to back it up. At this time last year, the Tigers had only eight total wins and had already lost their first four conference games.
Coming off arguably their biggest win of the season at No. 5 Florida, morale is undoubtedly high as Gates’ team returns to Columbia. Maintaining that energy, along with staying focused, will be crucial as they prepare to get back into action Saturday evening.
While Arkansas doesn’t appear to be as formidable as the three conference opponents Mizzou has already defeated this year, anything can happen in the SEC—especially in a conference as competitive as this one.
The Razorbacks currently hold an 11-6 record and are 0-4 in conference play, placing them second-to-last in the SEC. Despite their struggles, the team has been inconsistent but competitive, managing to stay in the fight against most opponents, regardless of their caliber.
The Razorbacks narrowly lost to No. 8 Baylor, No. 19 Illinois, and No. 23 Ole Miss but were blown out by No. 1 Tennessee and No. 5 Florida.
Arkansas's non-conference play showed inconsistency. They easily handled teams like Maryland Eastern Shore, Pacific, and Troy but also demonstrated their ability to compete at a high level by defeating No. 14 Michigan.
Arkansas's most recent game was against LSU, a team Mizzou defeated last week, 78-74. Most of Arkansas’s matchups have been close, further showcasing their ability to remain competitive in nearly every game.
The Razorbacks made a shocking move this season by hiring three-time Naismith College Coach of the Year John Calipari, who had been on the sidelines for SEC rival Kentucky since 2009. During his tenure at Kentucky, Calipari won the NCAA National Championship in 2012.
Calipari clearly knows the game well and has made the Razorbacks competitive in his first year at the helm. The team is already on track to surpass the 16-17 record they posted last season.
The Razorbacks have reached the NCAA Tournament six times in the past decade, advancing to the Elite Eight twice as a No. 3 seed and facing the eventual champion UConn Huskies in the Sweet Sixteen in 2023.
They’ll aim to return to that level—and potentially go even further—with the help of a well-rounded team that features impactful players on both ends of the court.
Offensively, the duo of Adou Thiero and Boogie Fland leads the way in scoring. The youthful backcourt logs significant playing time, with Thiero averaging around 30 minutes per game and Fland leading the team with over 34 minutes per game.
Thiero is one of several players who followed Coach Calipari from Kentucky last season, and he’s been outstanding so far. The junior is averaging 17 points and six rebounds per game on offense, while also contributing a block and two steals per night on the defensive end.
ADOU THIERO 😱 pic.twitter.com/PDDpAmpThH
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) January 4, 2025
Thiero shoots an impressive 58% from the field, though he takes few three-point attempts per game and hasn’t been particularly efficient from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, Fland, a freshman, contributes just under 16 points per game along with three rebounds and six assists. On the defensive end, he averages nearly two steals per game. Offensively, he shoots over 40% from the field and an impressive 38% from three-point range.
Both guards excel in their zones and can catch fire when they consistently find their spots. It’s crucial for Mizzou to focus on containing these two, especially early in the game, to prevent them from finding their rhythm.
One key strength of this team is their ability to take care of the ball. They’re a smart, well-coached group that passes effectively and excels at playmaking. For the Tigers, it will be crucial to stay disciplined with their assignments and play intelligently on both ends of the court.
Overall, if Mizzou sticks to their game plan and plays even half as well as they did in the first half against the Gators, there’s no reason the Tigers shouldn’t protect their home court and secure their fourth straight conference win.
The SEC rivals are set to tip off Saturday at 5 p.m. at Mizzou Arena.