4 months ago
Mizzou women’s hoops is disconnected to an 0-2 commencement to convention play, losing its 2 games by a mixed 40 points. However, this is rather understandable fixed that it came against No. 2 Texas and No. 6 Kentucky, who are a mixed 30-1 truthful acold this season.
It’s nary astonishment that nan SEC is erstwhile again unstoppable, pinch 4 teams classed successful nan apical 10 and 7 successful nan apical 25. It will beryllium different reliable week up for Mizzou, arsenic they look No. 7 Vanderbilt connected nan roadworthy (editor’s note: connected their weirdo court) earlier returning location against Alabama. These 2 teams besides person a existent mixed grounds of 30-1.
Here’s what you request to cognize astir each of these upcoming matchups and who whitethorn clasp nan cardinal to triumph for Mizzou.
The roadworthy doesn’t get immoderate easier for nan Tigers, arsenic they recreation connected nan roadworthy against No. 7 Vanderbilt. The Commodores are 1 of 4 undefeated teams near successful Division 1, coming disconnected a immense triumph against a top-15 LSU squad 65-61.
The 2 teams faced disconnected erstwhile past play successful Columbia, pinch Vandy taking location nan 100-59 triumph connected Robin Pingeton’s last Senior Night. But nan Tigers won nan past matchup successful Nashville backmost successful 2024, pulling disconnected nan upset 65-63. Mizzou has had plentifulness of historical occurrence successful this matchup, holding a 10-5 wide grounds against nan Commodores.
What makes this squad truthful vulnerable is superstar sophomore Mikayla Blakes. Last season, she was nan champion sophomore successful nan nation, averaging 23.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.4 steals. This included a 29-point outing while shooting 6-10 from 3 successful her only erstwhile crippled against Mizzou. She has only improved during her 2nd season, now averaging 25.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.7 steals. Her astir impactful outing of nan play came erstwhile she scored 32 points while adding 4 assists and 3 steals successful that four-point triumph against LSU I touched connected earlier. Blakes carries Vanderbilt offensively, and it’s up to nan Mizzou guards and nan coaching unit to find a crippled scheme to unopen her down.
The Tigers proceed nan gauntlet astatine home, this clip against Alabama. While nan Tide are not ranked, they still airs a hefty situation pinch a 15-1 grounds and are presently classed No. 16 successful nan RPI. The team’s sole nonaccomplishment came against South Carolina 83-57 earlier bouncing backmost pinch a 29-point triumph complete Arkansas.
Alabama has won nan past 3 matchups against Mizzou including a 68-49 triumph successful Tuscaloosa past season. The past clip nan Tigers won this showdown successful Columbia was 2019 (they won back-to-back games connected nan roadworthy successful 2022 and 2023). Overall nan Tide lead nan bid 10-8.
The squad has done a awesome occupation diversifying its offense, pinch each 5 accustomed starters averaging eight-plus points per game. However, Jessica Simmons is starring nan measurement by averaging a team-high 14.9 points on pinch 4.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists. Simmons’ return has been immense for Alabama, arsenic she missed each of nan 2024-25 play aft medically redshirting. Her standout capacity came successful a 25-point, 12-rebound double-double to conclusion an highly reliable Troy team. Simmons and Blakes some person akin play styles, truthful overmuch of nan crippled readying for their opponents’ apical limb will beryllium rather similar.
Player to Watch: Abbey Schreacke
Margo Jenkins for Rock M Nation
One of nan issues that Mizzou has struggled pinch to commencement SEC play (specifically against Kentucky) is struggling connected nan violative broadside of nan ball. Through 2 convention games nan Tigers are averaging 61.5 points per game. A ample portion of this has been owed to nan truth that 15-point scorer Shannon Dowell has missed some games pinch a little assemblage injury. While she is projected to return soon, it’s still important for Mizzou to find different avenues to people nan ball.
One subordinate who tin thief get nan discourtesy successful hit is inferior defender Abbey Schreacke. Through 2 SEC games she has scored 21 points, 2nd amongst each Tigers. This included a 15-point outing wherever she made 3 triples against Texas.
In past seasons Schreacke has seen a dip successful scoring accumulation successful SEC play, uncovering it difficult to find unfastened looks against amended teams. However, done 2 games it appears that she whitethorn beryllium turning a area and fresh to jump into that double-digit scorer role. While Dowell is projected to return to nan lineup soon (editor’s note: Pretty please?), Schreacke will apt request to support up this scoring output to compete pinch nan champion teams successful nan conference.
Schreacke and nan remainder of nan Tigers look disconnected against No. 7 Vanderbilt astatine 6:30 p.m. connected Thursday successful Nashville. The crippled will beryllium disposable to watch connected SEC Network+ done nan ESPN app.
