Mizzou vs Oklahoma: Paint Dominance Key

0:00On March 3rd, tonight, Mazell faces Oklahoma at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma. Tip-off is Tuesday at 6 p.m. Central Time on ESPN New. Kenpom has as soon as favored by five points, while ESPN gives the Tigers just a 39.6% chance to win. Both teams roll out strong projected starting lineups, with Mazell leaning on Guard's T.O. Bear and Jaden Stone, plus forwards Trent Pierce and Mark Mitchell, and Center Sean Phillips Jr. Oklahoma rebuilt almost from scratch under coach Porter Moser after a disappointing season last year. They brought in key transfers like Super Senior Nigel Peck from Miami and Xavier Brown, pairing them with forwards Tay Davis and Darian Reed. The sooner started SEC play 1 and 4, then hit a 9-game skid, but they've turned it around lately, going 4 and 2 with wins over Auburn, and LSU declined to 15 and 14 overall. Meanwhile, Mazell stunned Oklahoma back in late January with two buzzer beaters.

1:02The Tigers have sharpened their game since, especially inside where Center Sean Phillips Jr. and Trent Burns are stepping a big. Phillips cut down on fouls for more minutes and double-digit scoring, while Burns hit career highs off the bench, helping fuel recent blowouts like their 88-64 win over Mississippi State. The big keys here are dominating the paint. Mazell was 4 and 0 this year when the outscore foes inside, and slowing Oklahoma's guard duel of pack-and. Brown, who combined for 44 points and most of the sooner's threes last time. Mazell's improved perimeter defense with Bear and Anthony Robinson the second could make the difference. If the Tigers keep grinding in the paint and lock down the guards, they match of well for an upset. Expect a close one with Mazell pulling out an 87-83 victory on the road.