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January 26, 2013
In search of offense
Gabe DeArmond
PowerMizzou.com The Missouri offense has hit a wall in 2013. The Tigers averaged nearly 93 points per game in their final three games of the 2012 calendar year. But in six games since a 97-94 overtime loss to UCLA, Missouri is averaging just 66.8 points per game.
"We haven't shot the ball well but we've been our own worst enemy in that. We've taken a lot of quick shots and we aren't running good offense," Frank Haith said. "We've got to give our offense a little bit more of a chance."
Part of the problem can be traced to injuries. But Haith has to play with whatever cards he is dealt and Missouri's offense must improve, no matter who is on the floor.
"We need longer possessions so we can get better shots and get paint touches," Haith said. "We're not getting enough paint touches, particularly at the beginning of the game."
Case in point was the win over South Carolina. Alex Oriakhi scored 18 points. But he took just four shots from the field--he made them all. Oriakhi went 10-for-10 from the free throw line, but was rarely the player through whom Missouri was running the offense.
On the opposite end of the spectrum from Oriakhi has been Jabari Brown. Brown has led Missouri in scoring in four of the five games Bowers has missed. But he has made only 25-of-66 shots in that time and has shot 50% or better from the floor only twice. Take out a 7-for-11 performance in the win over Alabama and Brown is 18-for-55 in his last four games.
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