Mizzou Hosts No. 17 Tennessee

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The University of Missouri men’s basketball team caps off a stretch of four games in seven days with a top-25 opponent inside Mizzou Arena as they host No. 17 Tennessee, Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. The game will air on SEC Network with Tom Hart and Dane Bradshaw on the call. Mike Kelly and Chris Gervino will have the call for Tiger Radio Network.

Following the game, Mizzou will host a Movie Night in Mizzou Arena in partnership with the Campus Activities Programming Board. The 1996 edition of Space Jam will be aired on the Arena’s video board.

MIZZOU HEADLINES

• Javon Pickett has been one of the most consistent players in SEC play for Mizzou, averaging 12.4 points per game on 48.4 percent shooting.
• The senior has recorded double-digit scoring efforts in 11-straight conference contests, including 16 Sunday night against Mississippi State.
• Missouri is shooting 43.9 percent from the floor against conference opponents, ranking sixth in the SEC. The Tigers’ are seventh in FG percentage defense, and one of three teams alongside Auburn and Kentucky to be top seven in both categories.
• The Tigers rank top-15 nationally in strength of schedule and third in the SEC, bested only by Tennessee and Alabama.
• Missouri is shooting 75.8 percent from the free throw line in SEC play, the second-best in the league and is sixth with a 43.9 percent field goal percentage against conference opponents.
• This season, Missouri has been 7-1 when both Kobe Brown and Javon Pickett score 10+ points. Sunday’s loss to Mississippi State was the first of the season with both in double-digits.
• Seven of Mizzou’s last nine SEC games have been decided by an average of 4.5 points.

THE SERIES

• Tennessee leads the all-time series by a narrow 10-8 margin, however, Missouri has the 4-3 advantage at home.
• Missouri’s last win at home against the Vols was a 59-55 victory on Jan. 17, 2018.
• Tennessee had won four-straight against the Tigers until Mizzou went into Knoxville last year and took down then-ranked No. 6 Tennessee, 73-64.
• In last years’ win against the Vols, Kobe Brown had a game-high seven rebounds as the team shot 42.1 percent from behind-the-arc.

SCOUTING TENNESSEE

• Tennessee ranks top-20 nationally in assists per game and steals per game, both of which are second in the league.
• The Vols currently sit in fourth place in the conference standings, tied with Arkansas and two games back from Auburn at the top.
• Tennessee is 4-5 on the road this season, but has conference road wins against Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Mississippi State.
• Junior Santiago Vescovi and freshman Kennedy Chandler lead Tennessee’s scoring efforts with 13.5 and 13.2 points per game, respectively.
• Chandler also ranks 16^th nationally and second among true freshman with 2.28 steals per game
• Tennessee is averaging 71.1 points per game, and has held opponents to an average of 66.5.
• Zakai Zeigler leads all SEC players shooting 90 percent from the free throw line in conference play.

UP NEXT

Missouri heads out on its next road swing with two away contests against LSU and South Carolina. The Tigers’ open up against LSU Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. The game is slated for SEC Network.

FOLLOW THE TIGERS

For all the latest information on Mizzou Men’s Basketball, please visit MUTigers.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Tigers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @MizzouHoops. Fans should call 1-800-CAT-PAWS for tickets or buy online today!