Men’s Basketball Faces Notre Dame in ACC/SEC Challenge Tuesday

The Mizzou men’s basketball team, boasting an unbeaten record, prepares to take on Notre Dame in the ACC/SEC Challenge. The match is scheduled for Tuesday at 8 p.m. CT, broadcasted on ESPNU.

Overview of the Tigers

• Mizzou has won all eight of its games in the current season.
• The Tigers recently secured a commanding 86-59 victory over Cleveland State.
• Mark Mitchell leads the team with an average of 17.1 points and 3.5 assists.
• Five players, including Jayden Stone (13.3 points) and Jacob Crews (13.1 points), contribute significantly to the scoring.
• Shawn Phillips Jr. tops the rebounds with an average of 7.2.
• The team averages 92.9 points per game, shooting 55.5% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc.

Insight into the Fighting Irish

• Notre Dame holds a 5-3 record for the season, following a mixed trip to the Players Era Festival.
• Markus Burton leads the team with 20.1 points per game.
• Jalen Haralson also scores in double figures, averaging 13.1 points.
• Carson Towt is the top rebounder, securing 10.4 boards per game.
• The Irish score 75.4 points on average while allowing 67.3 points defensively.

Historical Context

In past encounters, Mizzou and Notre Dame have clashed nine times since their first matchup in the 1980 NCAA Tournament. Mizzou leads the series 7-2, although its record at Notre Dame stands at 1-2. Their last meeting was in the 2011-12 season, where Mizzou triumphed 87-58.

Mizzou’s Performance Against ACC Teams

• The Tigers carry a 15-20 all-time record against ACC opponents.
• Under Coach Gates, Mizzou is 2-0 against ACC teams, with victories over Pittsburgh and California.

ACC/SEC Challenge Format

This matchup marks the opening of the third annual ACC/SEC Challenge. Mizzou’s history in league challenge games stands at 8-4 overall, with notable victories against ACC teams in recent years.

Undefeated Streak

Mizzou remains one of only 25 unbeaten teams in college basketball. A win against Notre Dame would match last season’s 9-0 start, marking the best record for the school in twelve years.

Strong Margin of Victory

The Tigers have dominated their opponents, winning several games by significant margins. They lead NCAA with six victories by 20 points or more and maintain an impressive scoring margin of +24.8 points, ranking 11th nationally.

Multiple Scoring Threats

Mizzou’s depth has been crucial to its success. Ten out of twelve players have scored in double figures at least once. Mark Mitchell has been exceptional, shooting 64.4% while averaging elite statistics in points and assists.

National Shooting Leaders

The team excels in shooting, leading the nation with a 55.5% field goal percentage and ranking high in 3-point shooting as well. This proficiency is key to their success in the current season.