If you’re surprised that No. 22 Missouri has become one of the most dangerous teams in the Southeastern Conference, then you weren’t paying enough attention to the Tigers during their nonconference schedule.
Now Missouri, which is in the Top 25 for the first time since the end of the 2022-23 season, will not be able to sneak up on anyone. The Tigers have plenty of momentum and a four-game winning streak as they travel south to battle struggling Texas in a key SEC clash on Tuesday in Austin, Texas.
Missouri (15-3, 4-1 SEC) is coming off what is likely its most impressive week of the season, posting a tight victory on the road over No. 5 Florida and an 83-65 win at home against Arkansas. Caleb Grill and Mark Mitchell scored 17 points apiece in the victory over Arkansas, while Tamar Bates hit for 15 points, Tony Perkins added 11 and Trent Pierce tallied 10.
The Tigers began the game with an 18-2 run behind 11 early points from Bates and led by 17 at halftime.
Missouri’s three losses this season have come by eight points to now-No. 24 Memphis in its season opener, by three to now-No. 17 Illinois in a neutral-site game and by 16 at SEC leader Auburn, the current top-ranked team in the nation.
The Tigers have won all four of their games since the loss at Auburn, adding to a resume that featured nonleague wins against Cal and powerhouse Kansas, which sat at No. 1 at the time.
“We’re not even at our peak — I don’t think we’re playing well,” Missouri coach Dennis Gates said. “I’m just being honest with you. I’m dead serious. … I’m telling you, we have about two or three more steps to go.
The Longhorns (12-6, 1-4) will continue a gauntlet of games to begin their first season as a member of the SEC. Three of Texas’ first four league games have been against opponents ranked in the top five of the AP poll, and Tuesday’s game will be the fifth time in the past six outings that the Longhorns have played a team ranked top-22 in the nation.
Texas’ most recent contest was an 84-60 loss at Florida on Saturday. The Longhorns trailed by seven points at the break but allowed the Gators to forge a 15-2 run late in the second half while going without a field goal for more than five minutes.
Tre Johnson led the Longhorns with 16 points in the loss while Ze’Rik Onyema racked up 12 points and 10 rebounds, Tramon Mark added 12 points and Arthur Kaluma finished with 10 points and 10 boards.
“You learn lessons from each game,” Texas coach Rodney Terry said. “We played some physical teams to this point right now, and you know you have to be able to withstand when the other team scores and you have to withstand not scoring. We have to continue to have good defensive possessions and stay in games to where you have a chance down the stretch.
“We play another really good team in Missouri coming to our place.”
