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The Missouri Tigers have started their season in the same place they left off last year, winning lots of basketball games despite moving to the SEC during the off-season. The Tigers have gone 5-1 to start the season, with their only loss coming against Louisville in Kentucky.
ESPN's SEC Basketball rankings have the Tigers slotted in at No. 2 in the conference, ahead of the defending national champions and behind only the Florida Gators, who are undefeated on the season with a 6-0 record. Phil Pressey and Laurence Bowers get the biggest accolades from the article:
2. Missouri. Michael Dixon Jr. leaving the program is certainly a blow for the Tigers, but they're still one of the league's best teams. Phil Pressey (15.0 points, 6.2 assists per game) and Laurence Bowers (14.2 ppg, 6.3 rebounds per game) have led Frank Haith's squad to victories over Stanford and Virginia Commonwealth in recent weeks.
Alabama, the other undefeated team with six games played in the SEC, is ranked No. 4 only because author Myron Medcaff said he is,"not sure whether I believe Alabama’s 6-0 start."
The Tigers will have a chance to bolster their record and perhaps boost themselves again in the rankings when they face off against Appalachian State on Saturday.