COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri will hope a new year will mean a new Tigers as they begin SEC play Saturday night by hosting No. 22 Florida.
Missouri is coming off its lowest-scoring game under head coach Dennis Gates, with the Tigers falling in an embarrassing 91-48 loss to Illinois. Missouri went 2-3 in the month of December.
One of the biggest moments for Missouri last season was upsetting then-No. 5 Florida on the road in January. Another upset Saturday night would be a crucial confidence and resume boost for the Tigers.
That effort will be helped by the return of forward Trent Pierce and guard Jayden Stone, who have both missed time with injury. It will be Pierce’s first game all season and Stone’s first since before Thanksgiving. Forward Jevon Porter will miss a second-straight game with a leg injury.