'Fight for that 1-0': Missouri Expects Another Great Rivalry Game With Arkansas
While many Missouri basketball fans have taken note of the Tigers' winless streak in SEC play, Dennis Gates and his players aren't focused on it going into their game against Arkansas on Jan. 31. In fact, they are looking to the past for this game, as well as the present.
"It's a great rivalry, it's a great game that should always be played," Missouri head coach Dennis Gates said on Tuesday.
In the past couple years, the Tigers and Razorbacks have gone head-to-head nine times, with Arkansas coming away with the win in six of the games. After five straight losses to the Arkansas, the Tigers finally broke their losing streak last year in a 79-76 comeback win.
"I think we were down 10 last year at home with five minutes to go and we came back and won," Graduate guard Sean East II said. "Its just gonna come down to the wire and there's gonna be a hard fought game."
The last couple games for the Tigers have come down to a matter of a couple points, both against the Razorbacks and in this seasons SEC play. Missouri is looking to be the one with the lead at the end of this game, however.
"No matter what the records are, there's going to be a great game," Gates said. "Last year stats, when you look at the games, they were decided between a couple of points, a couple of possessions here and there."
The Tigers have been focused on how they can get the win over their Rivalry opponents. Despite Arkansas's unfulfilled expectations and similar record in SEC play, a win won't be as easy as some may think.
"I believe [Arkansas] is a better team than their record indicates," Gates said.
Gates praised the Razorbacks ability to block shots and draw fouls, which has been a struggle for the Missouri team. The Tigers have averaged only 12.6 free throws attempts per game compared to the Razorbacks 25.9.
"They're the top team in our conference and top five in the country at free throw attempts per game," Gates said "I think they're close to 30. That's one of the things that has been a sore spot for us in terms of trying to get to the line."
Outside of the trying to improve on free throws and drawing fouls, the Tigers have been working on putting together a complete performance against the Razorbacks in their 40 minutes.
"We need to execute free throws, block outs, things like that," Gates said. "The small things, they all add up and we have to play a complete game from the beginning to the end."
They have drawn their focus on improving their strengths of late, which has been points in the paint. Gates hopes the team can capitalize on aggressiveness and making shots that they been missing in the past games.
After falling to SEC opponents in seven straight games, Missouri Basketball is hoping to build off of their win from last year and to provide a much needed morale boost for the team.
"We're not thinking about the streak," East said. "We are thinking about just going out there playing hard, just fighting for that 1-0."
Missouri has frequented scoring droughts in the past couple of games and are looking to clean up their small mistakes. Working on consistency has been a big factor for them lately and is what could help them achieve their goal of a win.
If this game goes like the last few have, Missouri will need that consistency to prevent them from another loss. With a rivalry win potentially on the line and a chance to break their losing streak, both Gates and East believe this game will come down to the last seconds and a couple possessions.
"We need our fans out there supporting our young men and creating a home court advantage, so that we can go out there and give our very best," Gates said.
