Hoopin’ and Hollerin: Mizzou WBB looks to build on 2-game win streak

The pieces are there, but it’s time to fit that puzzle together

The week started rough for Mizzou women’s basketball, as they fell to Norfolk State in an all-too-familiar upset for Tiger fans. Despite close first halves against Tulane and Western Illinois, Mizzou now sits with a two-game win streak and at 3-2, their first time above .500 after those shocking losses.

The Tigers played five games in 11 days, facing the grind of the non-conference schedule with two of those games on the road. These numbers slow down slightly this week, as Mizzou only has two games, both of them at Mizzou Arena.

Here’s what we know through five games plus a look at the SLU/Little Rock games on the docket:

Guards Galore

Before the season, head coach Robin Pingeton claimed we’d see plenty of different lineups in the non-conference. She wasn’t lying, as the Tigers have rolled out three separate first fives in their last three games. Angie Ngalakulondi, Laniah Randle and Grace Slaughter have started every game, and those three appear to be set in those spots moving forward; Slaughter and Randle have looked great and Angie looks the best out of the bigs.

Those last two spots are filled with uncertainty. So far they have been split between Ashton Judd, Averi Kroenke and Nyah Wilson. This isn’t even counting Abbey Schreacke, who has come off the bench despite being on an absolute heater to start the year.

(MICHAEL BANIEWICZ/ROCK M NATION)

Let’s start with Ashton Judd. After struggling in the Norfolk State and Tulane games, Judd came off the bench for the first time since her freshman year. Currently she is averaging 7.6 points on 32.4% from the field and 27.8% from deep while averaging 4.0 turnovers. She has faced issues with either moving too fast or trying to force the issue, often leading to either turnovers or bad shots. But that doesn’t mean she hasn’t had productive stretches; Judd is averaging five rebounds and has scored in every game, including double digits against Southern. There’s absolutely a spot for her in the rotation, and even if it’s hard to hear, it may be better for this team to see her in smaller spurts off the bench.

(CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

This would open up an opportunity for Abbey Schreacke, who previously started two games last season when injuries piled up. Schreacke has opened up her sophomore campaign on fire, averaging 12.2 points on 48.7% from three, punishing teams from beyond the arc. She’s coming off a career-high 26 points and 8-made threes during the team’s last win against Western Illinois. I’ve started referring to Schreacke as Mizzou’s Klay Thompson; her main success is off-the-ball as a catch-and-shoot weapon that keeps the defense honest and prevent doubles. Throwing her out there with Slaughter to start the game keeps defenses honest and gives two real three-point threats for Pingeton’s squad. If the decision were mine, Abbey Schreacke would be starting by Wednesday. (Editor’s note: I concur.)

Next up you have your two true point guards: Nyah Wilson and Averi Kroenke. Wilson started the first three games of the season before coming off the bench against Tulane when her spot was taken by Kroenke. Then the pair both started against Western Illinois in what might have been their most complete performance on the season. Wilson couldn’t find her mark as a scorer early, with only eight points in her first four games after taking some poor shots when working her way into the post. That was remedied against the Leathernecks, finishing with 10 points with a healthy mix of downhill action plus her first three as a Tiger.

Missouri guard Averi Kroenke (21) falls on a loose ball in the second half of a game against Tulane on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

For Kroenke, she has been the passing queen in her two starts. Pingeton preaches that assist/turnover ratio, and the Rock Bridge graduate has taken that message to heart. Against Tulane and Western Illinois, she finished with a combined 13 points and only two turnovers.

Both these players are looking better and better, but the team looks best with only one in the lineup. In my amateur opinion, I believe keeping Averi Kroenke in the starting five would be best, as her defense and passing is unmatched by few on the roster. While yes, she isn’t much of a scoring threat, Schreacke and Slaughter will more than make up for it with their ability to pull the defense away from the paint and create space for their PG.

So the TLDR version; I believe your starting five for SLU should be:

Averi Kroenke, Abbey Schreacke, Grace Slaughter, Laniah Randle and Angie Ngalakulondi

In-State Showdown

The Tigers face a familiar foe to kick off this next week, as Saint Louis returns to Columbia for the first time since 2022. The two met at the tail end of 2023 in Chaifetz Arena, with the Billikens pulling off the 93-85 upset.

SLU has seen a resurgence under new head coach Rebecca Tillett, making the NCAA Tournament in her first year back in 2022-23 then winning the WNIT this past season. The Billikens sit at 2-1 on the year, scoring at least 70 points in each game with an electric offense. Perhaps the most impressive win came on the road in an overtime thriller, defeating South Dakota 85-83.

Your player-to-watch if you’re the Tigers is graduate student Peyton Kennedy. In her final season with the Bills she’s off to a rocking start, averaging 18.7 points and 4.7 rebounds. You best not foul her, as she’s currently a perfect 23-23 from the line. Kennedy was the Tiger-killer last season, finishing with 21 points on an efficient 9-13 from the field.

This time, Mizzou has Laniah Randle, who will likely be tasked with keeping the forward in check. While a win over SLU doesn’t seem like a big deal, this sort of “rivalry” win to keep building momentum is a must.

Brunch and Basketball

Before everyone heads home for Thanksgiving break, Mizzou Arena will come alive with a basketball double-header, with the women starting at 11:30 a.m. This is the annual Columbia Public Schools game where they bus in all the elementary kids for some AM hoops!

But who’s coming to town for this game? Well it’s a trip up for Arkansas-Little Rock, as the Tigers will be their third SEC game already and their fourth against Power 5 opponents (they play K-State on Monday).

After nearly beating Arkansas at home, the Trojans were crushed by Auburn in a 34-point drubbing. Little Rock held close against Arkansas thanks to their defense, forcing 16 turnovers while only committing nine.

Offensively this team is led by junior Faith Lee, who put up 20-plus in her first two games plus double-digits against Auburn. She does all her work inside, getting into the paint and overpowering her defender. Lee has a similar build to Kennedy, so Randle will likely draw the assignment again.

This Little Rock team has shown they can hang with SEC opponents, so Mizzou will need bury this team early to avoid being put on upset watch…again.

Before that Little Rock matchup is SLU, where the two will met at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at Mizzou Arena.