#16 Kansas @ #19 Missouri

Big Monday tonight in Columbia looks to be a chance for Missouri to break a streak that dates back to the arrival of Mike Anderson in Columbia. The Tigers haven't beaten the Jayhawks in the past five meetings and on paper tonight looks like a match-up that should favor Missouri.

One of the biggest problems that I have with Missouri this season is the fact that in big games like tonight they haven't come to play. The Illinois game was a disaster and the Tigers looked uncomfortable, shell shocked and poorly coached. Since that loss we have seen a different Tiger team; that's the one that must show up tonight for them to have a shot to beat Kansas.

Kansas has been a pleasant surprise this season and Bill Self has done a masterful coaching job with such a young team. I love to see coaches that get more out of their players and are able to figure out how to motivate them perfectly. The players deserve credit too. Sharon Collins has been a very good floor general when he isn't turning it over and the addition of Mario Little has added another scoring option on the perimeter. Making the Jayhawks much better than I would have expected.

I like Kansas to win this game tonight. Missouri has to prove to me that they can handle a moment on this stage. Be big enough to get it done and that will make me a believer that this team could be dangerous in March.