Missouri vs. Arizona: Game Preview, Prediction

By Taylor Sturm
Arizona BAsketball
Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Wildcats entered the 2014-15 college basketball season as one of the favorites to win the 2015 NCAA Tournament and have played like it to start the season. Although Arizona’s 3-0 start has been nowhere near as impressive as Kentucky‘s, the Wildcats have scored at least 70 points in all three games and beaten every opponent by double digits.

Next up for Arizona will be a matchup with the struggling Missouri Tigers in the EA Sports Maui Invitational on Monday, Nov. 24 at 5pm EST on ESPN2.

The Tigers are 2-1 with a loss to the UMKC Kangaroos and look like one of the worst teams in the SEC. This team lost every key player from the previous seasonm and is going through growing pains after the departure of Frank Haith and arrival of Kim Anderson. Although Missouri looks like they will struggle this season, Haith’s departure should have happened years ago. Anderson has this team moving in the right direction and should get this team back to competing in conference play within two seasons.

Unfortunately, this game won’t even be close; Arizona should dominate from the opening tip. I’m not even sure Missouri could defeat Arizona’s second unit, so expect this one to get ugly. The Tigers’ Montaque Gill-Caesar has been impressive to start the season, so it will be interesting to see how he fares again elite opposition.

In all honesty, unless you’re an Arizona fan, there’s not much reason to watch this game, as the Wildcats cruise to an easy victory.

Prediction: Arizona 78, Missouri 56

Taylor Sturm is a Featured Basketball Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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