Missouri vs SIU-E: 2023-24 college basketball preview, TV schedule

After suffering its first loss of the season to Memphis, Missouri looks to bounce back against SIU-Edwardsville in a non-conference matchup.

TV Schedule: Monday, November 13, 7:00 pm ET (ESPN+)

Arena: Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri

Year number two is off to a rocky start for Head Coach Dennis Gates and the Missouri Tigers (1-1). Expectations were high after making it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season. After a 22-point win against UAPB to open the season, Missouri Basketball’s offense went ice-cold against Memphis. Mizzou led by seven at the half before being outscored by 22 in the second half dropping the game 70-55.

One of the biggest surprises, in a good way, this season has been the play of Senior Guard Sean East II. Not only is he leading the team in scoring at 17.5 ppg, but is also shooting 57.1 percent from three and 88.9 percent from inside the arc. East has shown zero hesitation in taking over as the offensive leader for the team.

Joining him in averaging over ten points per game is Senior Guard Nick Honor with 13 ppg, Senior Forward Noah Carter with 12.6 ppg and 6 rpg, Junior Guard Tamar Bates with 12 ppg, and Senior Guard Caleb Grill with 10.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg. The Tigers have plenty of options when it comes to scoring, which should only get better once John Tonje and Connor Vanover are fully integrated into the rotation.

So far this season the defense is about where it was last season. The Tigers are currently giving up 74.5 ppg, last year they gave up 74.4 ppg. Much like the offense the defense should improve once Tonje and Vanover start playing more minutes. Vanover, who is sitting out the first three games of the season, will provide much-needed rim protection and rebounding. In his absence Grill, Carter, and Aidan Shaw have made the most of their rebound opportunities, all averaging six or more rebounds per game.

SIU-E (1-1) is coming off the school’s best season since joining Division 1 in 2008. The Cougars won 19 games last season finishing 6th in the OVC. The Cougars dropped their first game this season 63-47 against Dayton. They then rebounded to take down DIII North Park 92-67. SIU-E is led this season by Junior Guard Damarco Minor who is averaging 11.5 ppg and 10.5 rpg and Senior Forward Shamar Wright who dropped 29 points in their most recent game against North Park.

The Cougars are averaging 69.5 ppg this season and giving up 65 ppg. They haven’t shot the ball well this season, making right at 44 percent of their shots. And while they don’t shoot a ton of threes, around 15 per game, they have been making over 45 percent of them. The Cougars have also been pretty good at getting to the line this season, taking 39 free throws over the first two games and making just under 75 percent of them.

I don’t think that it is much of a stretch to say that Missouri is the better team in this matchup. The Tigers have already proved that they are capable of taking down an opponent from one of the weaker Mid-Major conferences. Missouri will need to keep Shamar Wright in check and not let him go off as well as keep Damarco Minor off the boards. But overall the biggest factor of the game will be whether or not Missouri can score the ball consistently. If the Mizzou can score the ball the way they are expected to I don’t think SIU-E will be able to keep up.