Missouri will show off atmosphere and unbeaten team in Border War game vs. KU Jayhawks

Before the Missouri basketball team arrived at Allen FIeldhouse, Kobe Brown got his first taste of the Border War a year ago when Missouri visited Kansas.

“When we first got into Lawrence we were getting cursed at by students walking by,” Brown said. “When we got to the game, people were camping out, long lines around the arena. It was big.”

Border War games between Mizzou and Kansas are big, before and after the series went dormant for a decade after the Tigers moved from the Big 12 to the SEC. Only now, they’re non-conference contests.

The first outcome in the renewed edition ended in lopsided fashion, with Kansas rolling to a 102-65 triumph, an early statement by the Jayhawks in their NCAA championship season.

This one should be different. For starters, Missouri had two losses headed into last year’s game. These Tigers are 9-0 and receiving votes in the AP Top 25. Sixth-ranked KU is 8-1.

Also, Missouri gets the atmosphere boost. The game will be played at a sold-out Mizzou Arena and the building should be as juiced as any Missouri home game since, well, the last time KU played in Columbia.

In that 2012 game, the Tigers overcame an eight-point deficit in the final two minutes, led by hot-shooting guard Marcus Denmon, to win by three. Students who had camped out for choice seats were allowed in the arena 12 hours before tip off to enjoy the ESPN’s College Game Day preview show.

Missouri has played before good home crowds this season, averaging more than 8,200. Student attendance has been up. On Saturday, the building will be packed for the first time.

“I’m excited to see how our team will respond because this won’t be the last time we have an environment with a ranked opponent,” Missouri coach Dennis Gates said. “Our conference (SEC) is loaded with talented, talented teams. I truly believe this gives us an opportunity to identify who we are. I’m curious to see who my players are in this situation.”

So far, they’ve been undefeated players. Missouri is being embraced by computer rankings and analytics. The Tigers are No. 39 in NET rankings that largely factor quality of opponent, and No. 49 in kenpom.com that measures success possession by possession.

Missouri’s best victory by the rankings came at Wichita State on Nov, 29, the only game away from home to date. The schedule gets much more difficult starting with the Jayhawks. The next four opponents: Central Florida, Illinois, Kentucky and Arkansas.

What’s working for Missouri? It starts with several options from a free-flowing offense. D’Moi Hodge leads the Tigers at 16.7 points per game. He’s one of five players who average double-figure scoring, including point guard Sean East, who comes off the bench.

Isiaih Mosley, the Missouri State transfer, has led the Tigers in scoring twice and he hasn’t started a game. Mosley was a Columbia Rock Bridge High teammate of starting KU point guard Dajuan Harris.

The Tigers lead the nation in scoring, at 93 points per game, and assists per game, 21.6. They’re sixth in field-goal percentage at 51.6.

“I love the way this team is playing,” Mizzou guard Nick Honor said. “What’s funny is we haven’t reached our highest level yet. I love the way we share the ball and bring energy to the game and just have fun out there.”