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The Tigers executed for most of the night, but one lineup and Vanderbilt’s press revealed how fragile their margin can be.

By tightening the rotation, valuing the ball, and resisting the urge to tinker, Dennis Gates’ squad disrupted Bucky Ball’s feedback loop.

The Tigers played the Crimson Tide even early but paid for sloppy possessions and missed chances as its margin for error evaporated.

A new starting five supplied the Tigers some rejuvenation, but questions about its durability and overall depth will persist as the season enters the home stretch.

The Tigers had chances after a poor start, but shaky reserve minutes, missed tweaks, and lost possessions exposed how thin their margin remains.

The Tigers leaned on floppy action, got just enough from its bench, and played with the discipline needed to separate from Auburn.

Missouri’s starters held up, but turnovers, bench minutes, and defensive execution cracks turned a manageable game into a loss.

The Tigers’ defense dictated shot quality, erased ball screens, and squeezed Kentucky all night — ushering in a late collapse was earned, not accidental.

Smarter pick-and-rolls, selective zone looks, and Jacob Crews’ spacing carried Mizzou to win in its SEC opener.