Stone, Pierce will be back for SEC opener Saturday

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https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/s ... 776595007/

Missouri basketball appears set to ring in the new year with the return of two key players.

On Friday, the day before Mizzou opens SEC play with a home matchup against reigning national champion Florida, Tigers head coach Dennis Gates said he expects combo forward Trent Pierce and shooting guard Jayden Stone to return from injuries and “play minutes” against the Gators.

There will be an official SEC availability and injury report later Friday, but the expectation is that the Tigers will be close to full strength. Gates also said he expects forward Jevon Porter to miss the game.

“It was great to see those guys out there getting reps,” Gates said. “We're a completely different team with those guys in the lineup, in rotation, with their abilities, with their IQ, with their connection.”

[11WSChamps]

I hope he's right.

[winonsports]

I hope he's right.

Relax. Gates wouldn't lie to you.

[11WSChamps]

Was it ever revealed what Pierces injury was?

[winonsports]

Was it ever revealed what Pierces injury was?

Lower body

[hdhntr148]

can't expect much at all from returning injured players, just a few minutes each to get them involved.

FL is tough once again and don't expect much but another beat down from a top team.

[Lightning Rod]

can't expect much at all from returning injured players, just a few minutes each to get them involved.

FL is tough once again and don't expect much but another beat down from a top team.

Burns won't see extensive time for awhile, even if healthy, Pierce will be limited due to inactivity. Both will be largely ineffective and won't contribute much. Another 20+ point beatdown..

[dugoutrex]

can't expect much at all from returning injured players, just a few minutes each to get them involved.

FL is tough once again and don't expect much but another beat down from a top team.

Burns won't see extensive time for awhile, even if healthy, Pierce will be limited due to inactivity. Both will be largely ineffective and won't contribute much. Another 20+ point beatdown..

I took Fl -7.5 so I hope you are right!

[Lightning Rod]

can't expect much at all from returning injured players, just a few minutes each to get them involved.

FL is tough once again and don't expect much but another beat down from a top team.

Burns won't see extensive time for awhile, even if healthy, Pierce will be limited due to inactivity. Both will be largely ineffective and won't contribute much. Another 20+ point beatdown..

I took Fl -7.5 so I hope you are right!

I'm never wrong! Cough, cough.

[MizzouMarv]

Thinking you're probably right, hoping you're not. At least show up & give us some hope for the rest of the season.

[dugoutrex]

there is still hope!

[Armchair QB]

No question both made a difference. Stone a little rusty, but not too worried about him. I think Pierce’s shot has improved. Man he looked good all things considered. His defense was just phenomenal. He’s going to be a difference maker for us in conference play.

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Pierce and Stone made a difference tonight. Pierce in the last couple of minutes was money. Mitchell was not!

[T-City25]

Both really made a difference. I’d rather see them and less of Mack, boateng, and porter.

[Rvrartst]

Pierce and Stone accounted for 19 points and 11 rebounds combined. I'd say that's making a difference. And they are floor spacers, something Mizzou hasn't had since Stone went out earlier. You have to respect their three point shooting, which means whoever is guarding them can't collapse into the lane. That's a big reason Ant was able to penetrate and score down low against the smaller guys guarding him, and Crews didn't have to worry about bigs helping when he took his smaller defender down low. When you factor that in, Stone and Pierce probably made something like a 25-30 point difference in this game. And Pierce played excellent defense.

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Both really made a difference. I’d rather see them and less of Mack, boateng, and porter.

You can add Northweather to that list.