Missouri Women's Basketball Hosts UT Martin and Lindenwood

Missouri women’s basketball enters a critical week at 3-0, preparing to host UT Martin on Thursday and Lindenwood on Sunday at Mizzou Arena. After a narrow overtime escape against Howard earlier this month, the Tigers are looking to refine their offensive ball movement and defensive consistency before facing tougher competition later this month.

Building offensive rhythm

The Tigers have hit the ground running, averaging 90.0 points per game while maintaining a 73-point combined margin over their first three opponents. The early season has been defined by a marked improvement in distribution; after struggling with a single-digit assist total in their opener against Howard, the team recorded 21 assists in their recent 47-point victory over Tennessee Tech.

“The emphasis since game one has really been on sharing the basketball, finding assists, finding the easy opportunity for our team,” Kellie Harper said. “For us to go from a single-digit number of assists to 21 in our third game, I think that’s really telling of how our players are accepting our system.”

Managing the Skyhawks’ pace

UT Martin arrives in Columbia with a 2-1 record and a chaotic style of play that prioritizes speed over defensive structure. The Skyhawks are coming off a 114-68 loss to Mississippi State, a game that highlighted their vulnerability against high-major opponents who can exploit their aggressive defensive pressure.

The Skyhawks lean heavily on Raven Sims, who averages 17.3 points per game, and a transition-heavy offense that forces 11.7 steals per night. For Missouri, the game serves as a direct test of their ball security. If the Tigers mirror the carelessness they displayed during the Nov. 2 Howard matchup, they risk allowing the Skyhawks to dictate the tempo and remain within striking distance.

Lindenwood university st charles missouri denise wiese

Lindenwood’s challenging road stretch

Lindenwood faces a grueling schedule, playing Stephens College in Columbia on Friday before turning around to face Missouri on Sunday. The Lions have struggled through their opening four games, averaging just 48.8 points and shooting 32.2 percent from the field.

The primary concern for Lindenwood is their turnover rate, as they currently give the ball away 16 times per game.

Cadence Dykstra remains the focal point of their offense with a team-high 14 assists, but her 22 turnovers make her a primary target for Missouri’s defensive rotations. Given the Lions’ lack of rest and their recent 71-35 loss to Louisville, the Tigers are positioned to use their depth to pull away early.

Establishing a new standard

Beyond the upcoming games, Harper is focusing on internal metrics that go beyond the scoreboard. The coaching staff said the team is now more committed to hustle plays, such as diving for loose balls, which were highlighted on film last season but have now become standard practice.

“I haven’t celebrated it once yet because it happens so often,” Harper said.

“It’s just what they do, and it’s expected. It’s not out of the ordinary. It’s a normal thing.”

Despite this progress, the staff remains focused on specific technical improvements.

Harper emphasized that the team still needs to refine its spacing, screen execution, and ball-screen coverage on defense. The upcoming home stand is the final opportunity to polish these areas before the Tigers face their first power-conference opponent, Kansas State, on Nov. 22 in Kansas City.