Number 21 Tennessee rolls into Columbia, Missouri riding a three-game win streak. Two weeks ago, however, Vol fans may have been wondering what happened to the team they were so fond of before conference play. Now, with impressive wins over Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and a snake-bitten Texas A&M team, the young Volunteers are getting used to playing with a target on their back. Wednesday night, Tennessee will square off with a once familiar face in Cuonzo Martin. Martin was head coach of the Volunteers from 2011-2014, where he posted a 63-41 record and one Sweet Sixteen appearance (remember the award-winning flop?). Martin then bolted to Cal, in a move where it was apparently the fans’ fault.

Grant Williams was dominant last week, rightfully earning SEC Player of the Week thanks in part to his 37-point performance at Vanderbilt. Admiral Schofield also had a solid week, with a career-high of 22 at Vanderbilt, followed up with an efficient 12 and 8 performance against a big Texas A&M team. Everyone else picked up the slack against Texas A&M as the Aggies held Grant Williams to only 9 points. Jordan Bowden led the balanced scoring attack (four Volunteers finished in double figures) with 15, followed by Kyle Alexander with 14. The 17 turnovers they were able to force did a lot to help the victory effort as well.

Tennessee has out-rebounded opponents 96-76 since Rick Barnes called out the team for lacking toughness and competitiveness on the glass, something the Vols will need to bring with them to Columbia. Barnes also had high praise for Martin, saying his teams “embody who he is…as a player.” Missouri (12-5, 2-2 SEC) is coming off a win at home against Georgia and a loss at Arkansas, a game where the Tigers were able to claw back from an 18-point hole to lead by 6 with under five minutes remaining before ultimately losing by two. Mizzou’s last three losses, at Arkansas, at home against Florida, and a neutral site game against rival Illinois, have been by a combined 10 points.

Tennessee will need to stop seniors Jordan Barnett and Kassius Robertson, the only two Tigers averaging double digits. Robertson leads the team with 16.0 PPG while Barnett follows behind with 15.2 PPG and 6.4 RPG. The Volunteer big men will be in for a workload against Barnett and Jontay Porter. Porter is leading the team with 6.8 RPG and an astounding 38 blocks on the season.

The Verdict

Missouri comes into this game currently favored by 1.5 at home. Honestly, I have watched maybe two entire Missouri games this season. And, yes, that is due to Michael Porter Jr. not being healthy and I don’t like to watch Cuonzo Martin offenses. I have, however, watched every Tennessee game this year and I know what they are capable of doing on the floor. Good enough reasoning for the Vols to win, right? There’s no doubt that Martin will want to hammer Tennessee tonight, but, as mentioned earlier, I think Tennessee is starting to get comfortable with having the target on their back. Tennessee’s guards continue to play well while Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield continue to outwork opposing bigs. Missouri’s late game woes continue.

Tennessee 68 – Missouri 63