Missouri eyes first win over Marquette since 2009 meeting

These two programs last met in March 2009, when Missouri held off Marquette 83-79. They share a court again now, in a non-conference game at a neutral site in Chicago, with both sides sitting at 2-1 and looking for separation.

Versus ranks Missouri No. 79 in the country, 28 spots ahead of Marquette at No. 107, and the overall grades back that gap up: Missouri carries an A- overall mark against Marquette's B+. The individual sides of the ball tell a different story, though, with Marquette's No. 66 scoring offense set to test Missouri's No. 23 scoring defense.

Missouri's own balance stands out more. The Tigers are one of only 13 teams in the country ranked in the Versus top 25 in both offense and defense, a distinction Marquette cannot match despite an A+ defensive grade of its own. Missouri has slid 27 spots since the preseason while Marquette has barely moved, down just one place.

Missouri enters off a 96-58 win over SIUE, while Marquette is coming off a 84-70 loss at Michigan after two lopsided wins to open the season. Versus projects a 78-71 Missouri win, giving the Tigers a 67 percent chance to take this one.