Tigers’ Bell And Brown Put On a Clinc Verses Mississippi State

Feb. 9, 2013; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Jabari Brown (32) and Missouri Tigers forward Tony Criswell (3) and Missouri Tigers guard Phil Pressey (1) walk downcourt during the first half at Mizzou Arena. The Missouri Tigers defeated the Mississippi Rebels 98-79. Mandatory Credit: Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports

So Mississippi State University sent a basketball team to play the Missouri Tigers Wednesday night at the Humphrey Coliseum.  The question is, what team did they send?   Missouri’s shooters took advantage of any and every hole in the Bulldogs had, and Humphrey Coliseum was home to a dominant 78-36 Missouri win over the Bulldogs and there isn’t much that the Bulldogs could do to stop it.

Phil Pressey, who seems to be quiet on the road verses his home games where he regularly owns the defense, took a back seat to Keion Bell and Jabari Brown who couldn’t stop scoring.  Bell, a senior guard, went 2-4 from 3 point range and 10-16 from the field. Brown, the sophomore guard, dropped 3 of 6 from 3 point range and 7-11 from the field.  After scoring 14 unanswered points, and would hold the Bulldogs to just 10 points in the first half.

The second half opened and the Tigers held a 44 point lead at one point.  Missouri was in control throughout the entire game and unfortunately for the Bulldogs, it was not close.  The Bulldogs were consistent in that they stretched their 8 game losing streak into a 9 game losing streak with this loss.

Missouri, who made it 2 wins in a row tonight, appears to be in March form in February.  Hopefully, the  Tigers can maintain the momentum going into March and possibly look for a deep push into the tournament.  Outside of Florida, Missouri has pretty easy ride through March which would allow for them to better their record going into the Tournament.   With the loss of Kentucky’s star, Nerlens Noel with a torn ACL, that seriously lightens the load for Missouri going into that game and give the Tigers a better chance to improve their standing in the top 25.