Big game atmosphere expected at Mizzou Arena
One week ago, the Missouri men's basketball team was flying high after a 97-86 win over Texas Tech. The win gave the Tigers a four-game conference winning streak (the program's first since 2004-2005), a Mizzou Arena-record 14 straight wins at home, and a 4-1 start in Big 12 play.
Fast forward one week, and the Tigers find themselves in a bit of a must-win situation following an embarrassing 88-72 loss to Kansas State last Wednesday.
Given the current trend of home team success in college basketball, Missouri likely needs to hold serve on its home court against Baylor today to help avoid the need to steal a game on the road later in conference play. The MU Athletic Department has announced the game as a sellout, Missouri's first since Jan. 19, 2008 against Kansas. Today's sellout is Missouri's first sellout of a game against an opponent other than Kansas since Feb. 3, 2007, when the Tigers lost to Nebraska, 66-61, in front of 15,061 fans at Mizzou Arena.
As far as offensive styles are concerned, Missouri might as well be looking in the mirror this evening. Missouri and Baylor enter the game ranked No. 1 and 3, respectively, in scoring offense in conference games. Both teams rely heavily on up-tempo offense, and both rank in the top two in the conference in 3-point shots attempted.