Preview: Tennessee Volunteers at Missouri Tigers COLUMBIA, Mo. (Interstat) — A surging Tennessee looks to extend its winning streak when it visits a resilient Missouri team in a key Southeastern Conference men’s basketball matchup Tuesday night at Mizzou Arena. The Volunteers (20-6, 10-3 SEC) have won seven of their last eight games, including a hard-fought 69-65 road victory at Vanderbilt on Saturday. Tennessee’s success is fueled by guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie, who has been a model of consistency. Over his last nine games, Gillespie is averaging 16.7 points and 4.9 assists, including a 17-point effort against the Commodores. He forms a potent backcourt with Bishop Boswell, while forward Nate Ament is coming off a 13-point, nine-rebound performance. Missouri (18-9, 7-6) aims to bounce back from a 94-86 shootout loss at Arkansas, where it surrendered a season-high in points. The Tigers have shown a knack for close games, with four of their last six contests decided by three points or fewer. Forward Mark Mitchell is the catalyst, coming off a 26-point, eight-assist effort against the Razorbacks. His versatile playmaking will be central to Missouri’s hopes, as he averages 20.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists over his last three outings. This contest pits Tennessee’s stout defense, which allows just 66.2 points per game in SEC play, against a Missouri offense that has topped 80 points in three of its last five. The Volunteers won the first meeting this season, 79-66, in Knoxville on Jan. 10, but the Tigers are 12-2 at home. Tennessee, firmly in the conference title chase, cannot afford a slip-up. Missouri, positioned on the NCAA tournament bubble, seeks a signature win to bolster its resume. The Tigers have won three of the last four meetings in Columbia. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST. The game will be televised on ESPN. Up Next: Tennessee hosts Alabama on Saturday. Missouri travels to Mississippi State on Saturday.