Missouri Tigers
KenPom Ranking: No. 30 (6th in SEC)
Early Season Record: 4-1
Arguably the best defensive unit in this field, Missouri has exceeded expectations to begin this season. Even though they already have a blemish on their record, it is hard to be too upset with a true road loss to Xavier, especially when it came away from home. The Tigers’ defense, quite simply, has carried the way for the team so far by being flat-out elite. They are holding teams to just a 38.5% eFG%, which ranks sixth in the entire nation, and they hold the seventh-best adjusted defensive efficiency mark as well.
With that said, they are scuffling on the offensive end to begin this campaign. Even though Missouri ranks in the top-100 in 3PAr, the team is hitting on just 26.7% of those attempts. Additionally, they are committing turnovers on over one-fifth of their offensive possessions as they are giving away some of the advantage gained by their pressure defense. Nonetheless, the Tigers’ defense creates so many turnovers that can lead to easy baskets and spark the offense.
On the perimeter, Mark Smith (13.6p/5.0r) and Dru Smith (11.6p/5.2r/4.8a) represent the starting backcourt for this squad while both bringing a different playing style to the table. Mark is the team’s leading scorer thus far while hitting on 39.4% of 6.6 3PA per game. He has essentially been the only reliable threat from distance so far. Dru, on the other hand, is the primary distributor with the ability to get into the lane seemingly at will and dish to his teammates. He is also averaging 1.8 steals per game.
Missouri’s high-regarded trio of guards is then rounded out by Xavier Pinson, who is posting 9.2 points and 3.8 assists per game off the bench. These three can terrorize opponents with pressure defensively but are also capable of scoring in the halfcourt.
Additionally, though, junior big man Jeremiah Tilmon definitely needs to be mentioned. The former top-50 recruit has been excellent inside to begin this season on both ends of the floor. While he has greatly struggled at the free-throw line (56.3%), Tilmon is still averaging 11.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. He is a physical presence in the paint and anchors Missouri’s defense inside.