MIZZOU-OKIE STATE PREVIEW

    Missouri, with the worst field-goal percentage in the Big 12, looks to break out of a shooting slump today at 1 p.m. on ESPN when the Tigers (15-5, 3-2) host the Oklahoma State Cowboys (16-4, 4-2).

    OSU comes to Columbia on a 3-game winning streak, including a road win over Kansas State. This will be Travis Ford's first trip to Mizzou since he departed for Kentucky following his freshman year under Norm Stewart. The Cowboys beat MU 75-73 the last time they played here in 2008, the last home loss since Mizzou started a 31-game home winning streak. Mizzou beat the 'Boys twice last year, in overtime at Stillwater and in the Big 12 semifinals.

    While it's still a little early to call this a "must" game for the Tigers, a victory today is imperative for Mike Anderson's sophomore-laden squad. I earmarked this game as a "win" after the Illinois game;; and it's a game MU needs to have a chance to break even in the Big 12. The MU guards have to find their shooting touch. They need to stop relying on long-range jumpers and must start attacking the paint. For Anderson's helter-skelter style to work the Tigers must press off made baskets; and if shots aren't falling, opponents are getting back to their offensive end without much trouble. MU's frontcourt players are starting to pick up their games. Justin Safford has started hitting the boards and taking it to the hole with more authority. Laurence Bowers has been productive, but his minutes haven't really increased. Why? Keith Ramsey played decently for a short period at Kansas but was overmatched in the paint by Cole Aldrich and the Morris twins.

    James Anderson leads the 'Pokes and the league in scoring. The 6-6, 210-pound guard puts up 22.1 points per game and scores it from outside and inside. He will be a tough matchup for any of the Tiger guards. Pat Knight, the Texas Tech coach, calls him one of the best players in the country.

    With a win, MU would move ahead of OSU in the league standings; and, depending on the outcome of the K-State/KU game, could climb to third place in the conference. A loss would drop them to .500 and in the middle of the pack. With three winnable games coming in the 10 days after the OSU game, the Tigers might solidify an NCAA berth before facing the meat of their schedule in the final seven games.