Change of pace

Good morning! Thanks for reading the Field of 68 Daily, especially when there’s so much NBA news happening.

Let's you caught up on what mattered in college hoops on Wednesday.

1. Tennessee tops Missouri with… offense?

We know Rick Barnes’ program can guard. But what happens when Tennessee shoots well? An 85-81 home win over a scrappy Missouri squad.

The No. 4-ranked Vols (19-4, 6-4 in SEC) shot 50% from the field, 66.7% from 3-point range, marking its best effective FG% (59.3%) since Dec. 3. All those shots helped them climb out of an 11-point deficit early in the second half.

The five-man unit of Zakai Zeigler, Chaz Lanier, Jordan Gainey, Felix Okpara and Igor Milicic Jr. helped the Vols spread the floor, even if it sacrificed some defense without Jahmai Mashack on the floor. Tennessee’s 85 points were its fourth-highest mark of the season and best scoring output in SEC play.

“It’s speed,” Barnes said. “We need to get out in the transition, we need to move the ball, get it going. And we still don’t do that as well as we should. We need those kind of baskets to transition to get some of those looks.”

Meanwhile, Missouri (17-5, 6-3) proved it belongs in a loaded SEC.

It has been a top 40 KenPom team since Jan., 14, and is now 22nd in NetRtg, and 19th in the NET. With an aggressive style, a versatile roster, and elite perimeter shooting, the Tigers will be a team no one wants to play in March.

2. A storybook return for Dylan Harper

Want to know how good Rutgers can be when fully healthy? Just look to its 82-73 win over No. 23 Illinois Wednesday night.

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