Live Blog of Mizzou Basketball Against No. 22 Tennessee

Considering the numbers that went against the Missouri Tigers for most of the game, the fact that they had a chance to win was beyond impressive.

Despite a few struggle areas, including the rebounding category, Missouri went on to win 73-69 over the No. 22 Tennessee Volunteers.

The Tigers struggled brutally from the three-point line all night long. They ended up going 4-for-17, with the very few makes coming from Trent Pierce and Anthony Robinson II. Part of it was how the Volunteers defended Missouri’s shooters, which worked. They were aggressive and ran shooters off the perimeter, which didn’t allow for many attempts in general.

The triples that the Tigers got from Robinson were big shots in the second half, vaulting the Tigers ahead and giving them their largest lead up until that point with 7:52 to play. He’s struggled all season long, but those were crucial shots in a crucial game.

The hypotheticals around this game are truly fascinating, especially if the Tigers were able to rebound the ball at a semi-high level. Tennessee recorded 42 rebounds, grabbing 18 on the offensive glass. The Volunteers only managed to score 20 second-chance points from those, but Missouri only finished with eight. That’s enough of a negative margin to make a difference. More second-chance points from those offensive rebounds could’ve been more of a difference maker for the Volunteers, however.

The Tigers only finished with 30 rebounds. Nine of those came on the offensive glass, as well.

In terms of crucial performances in a game that was under the spotlight, sophomore guard T.O. Barrett and senior forward Mark Mitchell really stepped up. The duo combined for 51 of Missouri’s 73 total points and were huge offensive forces.

Barrett was simply incredible, surpassing his previous career high of 21 points. He was scoring at will in the second half, getting up to 28 on 12-for-17 shooting. There wasn’t a player on Tennessee’s roster who could stop Barrett at any point during his phenomenal second-half run and he was huge in the competitiveness and physicality of the game.

Mitchell was also solid, finishing with 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting. He didn’t have the same all-around impact that he typically does, but he was still huge in keeping up with the scoring efforts of Tennessee.

An interesting caveat to this game was the number of minutes in which freshman big man Trent Burns played. He finished the night with 18 minutes, also adding four points, seven rebounds and an astounding four steals. All of those things were huge for the Tigers.

Leading the scoring department for Tennessee was guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie with 19 on 8-for-21 shooting. Big man Felix Okpara also finished with 15, going without missing a single shot.

The Tigers play next against Mississippi State at noon on Saturday on the road.

Live Updates

Second Half

FINAL - Missouri 73, Tennessee 69

0:37 - Missouri 69, Tennessee 65

After a fancy hookshot from the Tigers, Tennessee has the ball looking to score and force Missouri into a miss or turnover.

2:19 - Missouri 67, Tennessee 65

The Volunteers are storming back and the offensive glass is still killing the Tigers. Tennessee is also starting to apply some full-court pressure.

3:48 - Missouri 64, Tennessee 58

A positive for the Tigers has been the scoring of Barrett. He's in the middle of smashing his previous career high of 21 points, standing at 26 currently. There isn't anyone on the court who can stop Barrett from getting downhill on Tennessee's roster right now. The main holdback for the Tigers at the moment is the offensive glass.

5:08 - Missouri 62, Tennessee 57

Pierce just picked up a controversial fourth foul. It feels like one that could end up being reviewed for a hook and hold against Nate Ament of Tennessee.

6:55 - Missouri 56, Tennessee 52

After a goaltending committed by Shawn Phillips Jr., the Tigers have a shaky four-point lead. Triples are starting to fall for the Tigers, surprisingly at the hands of Anthony Robinson II. With his help, Missouri grew a lead as large as eight points.

12:11 - Missouri 43, Tennessee 43

If there's one takeaway from this game, it's that Missouri can play physical basketball. So far, they've responded to the Volunteer runs and have taken a few leads. Mitchell is finding his own in the paint and getting to the free-throw line and Barrett is also attacking the rim.

15:58 - Missouri 35, Tennessee 34

The Tigers once again are ahead after a triple from Trent Pierce and a Mark Mitchell layup, with the chance to add one more at the free-throw line. Missouri is really playing gritty basketball and is matching up as best as it can with the Volunteers, except for on the glass.

First Half

First Half Stats

HALF: Missouri 26, Tennessee 29

A five-point run from Ja'Kobi Gillespie catapaulted the Volunteers right back in front to end the half. He has 12 points at the halftime break.

0:58 - Missouri 26, Tennessee 24

After a dunk from T.O. Barrett, the Tigers have their first lead of the night. He has 12 points after that dunk and the Tigers are also getting some contribution from center Trent Burns, who has four points and five boards in some early action.

3:30 - Missouri 20, Tennessee 24

A triple from Ja'Kobi Gillespie of the Volunteers stopped a brutal scoring streak from both teams. Missouri got close, but proceeded that with a streak of seven-straight misses. That won't help get ahead of a talented defensive team like Tennessee.

6:58 - Missouri 18, Tennessee 21

Tennessee's turnover number has magically crept up to seven as the half nears its end. Tennessee looks much sloppier on offense, but is still maintaining its integrity on defense. That's preventing the Tigers from truly battling back, but they are getting close.

12:07 - Missouri 8, Tennessee 16

The Tigers have found a little rhythm on offense but are still allowing Tennessee to clean up on the offensive glass. The Volunteers have alread grabbed six offensive boards, but have only scored three second-chance points.

16:59 - Missouri 2, Tenenssee 9

Missouri has turned the ball over twice and allowed two offensive rebounds in the first three minutes of the game. That's likely not the start the Tigers were hoping for to get things started.

Pre Game

Starting Lineups

Missouri	Tennessee
G T.O. Barrett	G Ja'Kobi Gillespie
G Jayden Stone	G Bishop Boswell
F Trent Pierce	F Nate Ament
F Mark Mitchell	F Jaylen Carey
C Shawn Phillips Jr.	C Felix Okpara

Availability Reports

Missouri

G Annor Boateng (Leg, season) - OUT
F Jevon Porter (Leg) - OUT

Porter has been out for an extended period of time and that has not changed. It's not clear at the moment if or when he will return.

Tennessee

G Clarence Massamaba - OUT
F Cade Phillips - OUT
F J.P. Estrella - AVAILABLE

Estrella will play for the first time in two games for Tennessee against Missouri on Tuesday night.

How to Watch: Mizzou men's basketball against Tennessee

Who: Missouri (18-9, 8-6 SEC) vs. Tennessee (20-7, 10-4 SEC)

When: Tuesday, Feb. 24, 8:00 p.m.

Where: Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri

TV: SEC Network

Radio: Tiger Radio Network (Mike Kelly, Color: Chris Gervino)

SiriusXM: Missouri - 191, Tennessee - 380

Series: Missouri trails 10-13 and have lost the last two matchups by five points or less.

Last Time Out, Missouri: The Tigers fell to the Arkansas Razorbacks 86-94 on the road in Fayetteville, Arkansas, despite a combined 48 points from Mark Mitchell and Trent Pierce. Arkansas' five turnovers and strong free-throw shooting led to a strong offensive showing and victory over Missouri.

Last Time Out, Tennessee: The Volunteers defeated No. 19 Vanderbilt 69-65 following a second half surge. Tennessee found success on the glass and by controlling the ball effectively, ending the game with a 39-30 rebounding differential and nine turnovers.

Last Meeting: Feb. 5, 2025 - The Volunteers bested the Tigers 85-81, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Missouri Stat Leaders

Points: Mark Mitchell (17.2 on 53.4 FG%)
Rebounds: Mark Mitchell (5.5)
Assists: Mark Mitchell (3.8)

Tennessee Stat Leaders

Points: Ja'Kobi Gillespie (18.1 on 41.3 FG%)
Rebounds: Nate Ament (6.5)
Assists: Ja'Kobi Gillespie (5.3)