Missouri Tigers women’s basketball is at a crossroads. After beginning the Kellie Harper era 12-3 in non-conference play, the Tigers have posted a 2-6 record in conference competition.
Although expectations weren’t incredibly high after five total conference wins in the last two seasons, Harper’s debut Southeastern Conference schedule is still falling short of expectations.
Change is needed for the Tigers to turn their season around. That change starts with redshirt senior Jayla Smith.
The Tigers are near the bottom of the conference in defensive stops, denying shots and slowing down opposing top guards — all categories in which Smith can aid Missouri.
Missouri ranks No. 15 in the SEC in points allowed per game and 14th in 3-point percentage allowed. The Tigers also rank No. 16 in the conference with 12 turnovers forced per game, while every other team generates at least 14.
Smith is arguably Missouri’s most consistent defender. She ranks third in steals and first in blocks per contest despite coming off the bench every game this season.
Smith averages 23 minutes per contest — a heavy workload overall, but not as much as her play warrants. Her 21 minutes didn’t give her as much of a chance against Ole Miss guard Cotie McMahon’s 33-point outburst, and Smith’s 19-minute night against Florida didn’t give her enough opportunity to slow down Liv McGill, who dropped 28 points en route to Missouri’s defeat.
The Tigers will continue to struggle against the big names of the SEC if they keep Smith’s high IQ and rowdy defensive tenacity on the bench.
The senior guard should replace junior Abbey Schreacke in the starting lineup. Schreacke primarily offers 3-point shooting, while that is just a single perk of Smith’s game. Not only does Smith bring more to the table defensively, but she outranks Schreacke in points per game despite playing 3.2 fewer minutes per game.
Smith is scoring more efficiently, shooting 50% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc compared to Schreacke’s 40% from the field and 39% from the 3-point range.
Putting Smith in the starting lineup strictly for defensive purposes would make sense, but her additional offensive talent and contributions should make the decision a no-brainer.
The Tigers’ answer to improving a dreadful defense is simple — it’s Smith.
