Place Your Bets: Missouri at Texas

Missouri (18-4, 5-2) at No. 16 Texas (15-5, 4-2)

Wed. Feb 4, 2009—9:00PM EST

Spread: Texas -4

Backcourt Advantage: Texas

Senior guard A.J. Abrams (16.9 PPG) looks to get the Longhorns back on track after a humbling 85-81 loss at home to Kansas State on Saturday, a game in which Abrams hit four three-pointers.  Abrams now holds the Big 12 record for career three-pointers, breaking the mark of 338 set by Kansas' Jeff Boschee (1999-2002).

Frontcourt Advantage: Missouri

Senior forwards Leo Lyons (14.8 PPG) and DeMarre Carroll (16.8 PPG) lead a high-flying Missouri offense that ranks third in the nation in scoring (85.0 PPG).  Lyons was back in the starting lineup on Saturday after coming off the bench in their previous four contests and led the Tigers with 30 points in an 89-72 win over Baylor.  Texas forwards Damion James (15.7 PPG) and Connor Atchley (5.6 PPG, 1.7 BPG) will look to keep the Tiger forwards in check.

Momentum: Missouri

The Longhorns' loss to Kansas State on Saturday snapped their 19-game home winning streak.  While Missouri is just 1-2 on the road this season in conference play, and it's unlikely that Texas will drop two in a row at home, I think the Tigers are playing their best ball of the season right now, so I see this game coming down to the wire with Missouri having a real chance to win.

Shaun's Pick: Missouri +4

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