This past weekend in college basketball featured a marquee matchup of two Top-5 ranked teams in the Big 12 Conference. The fifth-ranked Missouri Tigers controlled the game and led throughout as they defeated the third-ranked Baylor Bears, 89-88. The game was a classic matchup of opposing styles - Missouri boasted a small, quick lineup featuring four guards and one post player, while Baylor had an apparent advantage in the frontcourt with their length and depth. However, Missouri nullified Baylor's frontcourt advantage and with the smaller lineup actually outrebounded the Bears 27-24.
Baylor's frontcourt was also outplayed by Missouri's frontcourt presence, Ricardo Ratliffe. Ratliffe finished the game as Missouri's leading scorer with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Ratliffe, the nation's leader in field goal percentage, continued his hot shooting by connecting on 11 of his 14 shots from the field. If he continues at his current rate, his 77.2% field goal percentage would break the single-season NCAA record of 74.6% set by Steve Johnson of Oregon State in 1981. Ratliffe's performance overshadowed Baylor's, Perry Jones III, who has been projected at the top of many NBA mock drafts. Jones finished with only 8 points and 4 rebounds.
While Ratliffe controlled the paint area for Missouri, point guard Flip Pressey controlled the game with his overall play for the Missouri Tigers. He appeared to be everywhere on defense, finishing the game with six of Missouri's 11 steals. He also added 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists.
With the win, Missouri moved to 18-1 on the season, with a 5-1 record in the Big 12 Conference. They are second in the Big 12 Conference behind Kansas, who is currently undefeated in the conference. With Notre Dame defeating top-ranked Syracuse, Missouri could alse be ranked as high as second in the upcoming polls. Baylor drops to 17-2 on the season and are currently third in the conference standings at 4-2.
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