Russell Hansbrough Looks to Return as Missouri Opens SEC Play Saturday Night at Kentucky
By Sammy Stava
No. 25 Missouri (3-0) gets ready to defend their back-to-back SEC East Championships as they open SEC play Saturday night at Kentucky (2-1, 1-1 SEC). Kentucky is coming off a 14-9 loss to Florida last week.
The Tigers, desperately searching for offensive consistency, could get a much needed jolt as running back Russell Hansbrough has been listed as a starter, according to Missouri’s official depth chart released yesterday. Hansbrough was sidelined last week with an ankle injury in Mizzou’s lackluster 9-6 victory over UConn.
The potential of getting Hansbrough back won’t immediately change this struggling Missouri offense, but his return should give them a much needed boost as the Tigers begin their conference slate.
Stats to know:
– Missouri comes into this game searching for their 12th consecutive road victory. Their current 11-game road winning streak is the third longest in the nation, behind Ohio State and Florida State.
– Missouri is 3-0 all-time against Kentucky since joining the SEC, which includes their first ever SEC win back in 2012.
– Missouri has 26 wins since the start of the 2013 season, which currently leads all of the SEC.
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-According to David Morrison, Missouri is 7-0 all-time as the AP’s No. 25 team with their last win coming at No. 7 Georgia in 2013.
– In their first three games this season, Missouri has allowed a total of only three second half points, outscoring their opponents 41-3 after halftime.
Kick-off for Mizzou at Kentucky on Saturday is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
Prediction: Russell Hansbrough back will be key. With him, Mizzou can still win this one, but without him, I would be leaning towards Kentucky. This game should be close throughout, but the Tigers have been finding ways to win as a second half team.
Mizzou 21, Kentucky 13.