Minus Bowers, Missouri travels to Florida

Missouri head coach Frank Haith watches the action during the first half of Wednesday's game against Georgia. Missouri plays at 10th-ranked Florida today.
Missouri head coach Frank Haith watches the action during the first half of Wednesday's game against Georgia. Missouri plays at 10th-ranked Florida today.

COLUMBIA, Mo. - When the schedule was unveiled for Missouri's first season in the Southeastern Conference, there were just a handful of games that seemed like they might go a long way in deciding the league race.

The first one of those for Missouri is today when the 17th-ranked Tigers travel to Gainesville, Fla., to take on 10th-ranked Florida (1 p.m. ESPN-TV).

"They've got great talent, and they're a team that I would have picked to win the league," Missouri coach Frank Haith said of Florida. "I think they're the best team in the league."

Already facing a tough task against a top 10-team on the road, the Tigers will be without leading scorer Laurence Bowers for a third straight game with a sprained MCL in his right knee.