NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 10 matchups for 2022 Big 12 vs SEC Challenge
By Andrew Tineo
9. Missouri at Iowa State
Missouri’s reunion in the Big 12
Although the talent in the game is not at a high level, the intriguing portion of these challenges is reunions. With Texas A&M missing the challenge for the first time since 2015, it’s Missouri’s chance to play a Big 12 opponent.
Dru Smith’s terrific defense and Xavier Pinson will be missed dearly in Columbia this upcoming year. Similar to the Tigers, however, Iowa State lost their best player from last year, with Rasir Bolton heading to Gonzaga, to come off the bench for the National Finalists.
The Cyclones roster direction has been a puzzle to figure out, with an abundance of transfers and a hopeful freshman star in Tyrese Hunter.
Missouri’s biggest acquisition from the off-season was the Big 12’s own DaJuan Gordon from Kansas State. The Wildcats have youth and depth in the backcourt, where Missouri does not. Gordon can come in and play immediately while making a big impact.
Gordon averaged 13.5 points against the Cyclones while collecting 16 total rebounds in the two contests.
This game doesn’t bring a ton of hype and will be one of the more forgotten in the grand scheme of the challenge. However, fanbases are chomping at the bit to rekindle an old rivalry and a game that was won by Iowa State in 2018, 76-59.