South Carolina Snaps Losing Streak, Prepares for Tough Test Against Missouri
South Carolina basketball finally broke through in SEC play, securing its first conference win of the season with a dominant victory over Texas on Saturday. The win marked the Gamecocks’ first triumph since December and improved their overall record to 11-16 (1-13 SEC).
Looking to build momentum, Lamont Paris and his team will now hit the road for a matchup against Missouri, a team that has flipped its fortunes after a winless SEC season last year.
Scouting Missouri: A Resurgent Power
Missouri Tigers
- Record: 20-7 (9-5 SEC)
- AP Ranking: 15
- Last Week: Defeated Alabama (110-98); Lost to Arkansas (85-92)
- Previous Meeting: South Carolina won 74-62 last season
What a turnaround for Dennis Gates and Missouri. A year ago, the Tigers endured an 0-18 record in SEC play (0-19 including the SEC Tournament), similar to South Carolina’s struggles this season. However, 2024-2025 has been a different story. Missouri now sits tied for fourth in the league standings, while USC remains at the bottom.
The Tigers have been ranked in each of the last five AP Polls and boast an impressive resume. They finished non-conference play at 11-2, highlighted by a win over then-No. 1 Kansas. In SEC play, Missouri has secured top-5 victories over Florida and Alabama, along with ranked wins against Mississippi State and Ole Miss.
Missouri’s Offensive Firepower
Missouri thrives offensively, ranking fourth in the SEC in scoring (83.7 PPG). Their efficiency is fueled by top-two rankings in both field goal percentage and three-point shooting, as well as leading the conference in both free throws attempted and free throws made. In fact, Missouri is tied for the national lead with an average of 19.9 made free throws per game.
The Tigers employ a balanced offensive attack, with Mark Mitchell, Caleb Grill, and Tamar Bates each averaging between 13-14 PPG. Five other players contribute 5-10 points per game, and eight of Missouri’s top nine scorers shoot at least 46.8% from the field.
Grill is the team’s primary deep threat, taking about six three-pointers per game while hitting over 43%. Bates isn’t far behind, though he takes fewer attempts from beyond the arc.
Defensive Concerns and Active Play
While Missouri ranks 10th in the SEC in scoring defense and 13th in field goal percentage allowed, they make up for it with a disruptive defensive approach. The Tigers lead the conference in steals and rank second in turnovers forced.
Missouri plays an unconventional lineup, typically starting three guards and two perimeter-oriented forwards. Early in the season, former Gamecock Josh Gray started as the team’s primary big man and remains Missouri’s leading rebounder (5.1 RPG). However, in recent games, Missouri has relied more on Mitchell and Trent Pierce in hybrid forward roles. This strategy allows for versatility but leaves the Tigers vulnerable in rim protection.
Key Injury Updates for Missouri
Last time out, Josh Gray missed Missouri’s loss to Arkansas due to an illness, and his status remains uncertain. Additionally, 7-foot-5 freshman Trent Burns, who has been sidelined all season with injuries, could return soon. Dennis Gates listed both players as “out” in last week’s SEC-mandated availability report, with an updated report expected Monday night.
Game Details
The Gamecocks and Tigers will square off at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25th. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and streamed on the ESPN app. South Carolina aims to build on its first conference win, but Missouri’s balanced attack and high-powered offense will present a significant challenge.
