Coach Dennis Gates' Perspective
Missouri head coach Dennis Gates emphasized the significance of the upcoming game in a press conference on Friday. He stated, "LIU is a remarkable team. They are a very feisty and hard-nosed group of guys who will come here and give their absolute best. We need to be prepared to match their physicality and intensity. We must stay even-keeled and humble as every game holds importance, and this one is no exception."Gray, the Missouri center who is a native of Brooklyn, has a deep understanding of the style of play. He said, "Growing up in the area, you become familiar with this type of play. It's aggressive, both on the defensive and offensive ends. We need to be on our toes and ready to face their challenges."
After the thrilling win over Kansas, the Tigers are eager to maintain their momentum. Gray knows that they need to be at their best to avoid a flat performance. He added, "Our focus is to match their physicality and intensity. We can't take anything for granted. Each game is crucial, and this one is especially important to me and the team."
Missouri's Center Josh Gray
Josh Gray, the Missouri center, brings a unique perspective to the team. He said, "Being from Brooklyn, I have a natural connection to this style of play. It's about being aggressive and not backing down. We need to use our home court advantage and show our true potential. Our defense will be key in this game. We need to shut down their scoring opportunities and create our own on the other end."Gray also emphasized the importance of teamwork. He said, "We are a united team, and everyone has a role to play. We need to support each other and work together to achieve our goals. This game is a great opportunity for us to showcase our skills and prove that we are a force to be reckoned with."
Long Island's Coach and Team
Rod Strickland, the coach of Long Island, has instilled a fighting spirit in his team. He said, "We know we are facing a tough opponent in Missouri, but we are ready to give it our all. Our players are determined to prove themselves and make a statement. We will play with aggression and intensity, and we believe we can compete on any given day."The Long Island team is known for their tenacity and never-give-up attitude. They have shown resilience in their previous games and are looking to continue that trend against Missouri. Strickland added, "We will focus on our game plan and execute it to the best of our abilities. We believe in ourselves and our abilities, and we are ready to take on the challenge."
Game Details
The full details of the game are as follows:Who: Long Island (4-8, 0-0 NEC) at Missouri Tigers (8-1, 0-0 SEC)Where: Mizzou ArenaWhen: Saturday, 11 a.m.TV: SEC Network+/ESPN+Sirus XM: 380Last Time Out, Missouri: The Tigers achieved their first win over Kansas since 2012, stunning the then-top-ranked team in the nation with a 76-67 victory.Last Time Out, Long Island: They suffered a 62-69 loss to UMass Lowell. Long Island tied the game at 58 with 4:01 remaining but couldn't hold on as UMass Lowell pulled away in the final minutes.