The Missouri Tigers are set for a rematch with the Nebraska Cornhuskers this Saturday in front of a sold out Mizzou Arena. I expect a much different game then the 56-51 loss on January 10th in Lincoln.
I just think this is a different Missouri basketball team. They’ve won three in a row which includes the big wins at Texas and Iowa State and Monday’s win over KU. It wasn’t pretty, but the Tigers never quit.
That first game against Nebraska was similar to this KU game. The Tigers shot awful in the first half managing just 18 points. They rallied in the second and made a game of it.
The Huskers are playing well too. They’ve won three in a row and they are coming off of a win over Texas. What impresses me with Nebraska is they don’t have a player over 6’8, yet even in a game against the Longhorns who have three players who are 6’10, they were only outrebounded by four. They hustle and play hard for coach Doc Sadler.
I still believe if the Tigers can shoot better than the 40% in each half, they should be able to beat Nebraska by double digits. This has been a milestone type year for Mizzou. I read in Vahe Gregorian’s article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that this is the first year the Missouri football team has won more than 10 games and the basketball team has won more than 20 games in the same season. Other highlights so far this season:
> The 2008-09 Tigers are the first to be ranked in the Top 25 since the 2003-04 team.
> Are the first to win at Texas since the 1998-99 team.
> Are the first to win back-to-back games in Stillwater since the 1988 team.
> Are the first to defeat ranked teams at home, on the road and on a neutral court since the 2001-02 team.
> Are the first to win 20 games since the 2002-03 team.
> Are the first to finish at least .500 in the Big 12 since 2003-04 team.
> Are the first to win on the road at an SEC school since the 1989-90 team.
> Are the first Missouri team ever to start 8-2 in Big 12 play.
> Are the first to start 4-0 vs. the Big 12 "South".
> Are the first to sweep Iowa State since the 1998-99 season.
> Are the first ever to play as and defeat a ranked team inside Mizzou Arena.
