MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The pressure was too much for Missouri.
That, schematically and philosophically, was the difference between the first and second half of Mizzou’s season-opening loss to Memphis on Monday. The home Tigers applied pressure and the away Tigers struggled with it.
MU outscored Memphis 42-32 in the first half and led by 13 early in the second, only to blow the lead en route to an 83-75 road loss.
Missouri looked like a program reborn in the first 20 minutes, pouring in transition points with breezy possessions created by a 2-3 zone defense that befuddled Memphis.