Mizzou women's basketball has its ace rebounder: 3 takeaways from the Tigers' home opener

Missouri women's basketball took care of business at Mizzou Arena Thursday.

A 45-point win over a Bradley team with a first-year head coach is to be expected for this roster of experienced players, but MU head coach Robin Pingeton saw improvements from game one against Missouri State to game two.

One of the biggest things was the assist-to-turnover ratio, as MU had 22 assists to 10 turnovers.

"I did feel like we maintained our focus for four quarters," Pingeton said. "I love the fact we're having the chance to look at different rotations and different lineups.

Here are three takeaways from Missouri's win over Bradley, and the Tigers' 2-0 start to the regular season.

Mizzou has a top rebounder

With the departure of Aijha Blackwell and LaDazhia Williams, Missouri was in need of a go-to rebounder. Someone that can corral the basketball off the backboard or rim.

That's easier said than done, rebounders need proper positioning in order to avoid quick over-the-back fouls and keep the opposition from offensive rebounds and second-chance points.

Jayla Kelly is a talented rebounder in her own right. She also had a career-high 13 points on Thursday. However, through two games Sara-Rose Smith has emerged as that rebounder.

"Rebound is something I've always prided myself on," Smith said Wednesday, saying her parents noted she's always been able to read the ball off the rim.

"If that's my role on the team, then that's what I want to do for my teammates."

She finished Thursday's win with eight boards, following up on her season-opening performance with a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double. Smith also only played in 18 minutes, as she wasn't needed in the romp over a young Bradley team.

It's clear Smith's biggest improvement comes in a more defined role. Last year, she played a little in the perimeter and a little in the post. Nothing was defined as she learned how to use her length, which is one of her best attributes.

That length also suits her on offense, helping her when she drives to the basket. Smith also has some shooting ability, making 1 of her 2 3-point attempts on the evening. Smith also dished three assists.

However, Smith doesn't need to be an ace on offense, but it's a boon that she has the length to help her as a driver on an offense that boasts shooters. If she stays MU's leading rebounder, then that's a defined role that she can improve at as the non-conference slate goes on.

"She's got a nose for the ball, she's got good athleticism, she's got good hops and just has the ability to go get rebounds," Pingeton said on Wednesday. "I do think she's got a really high ceiling that can really help us a lot."

The freshman's instant offense

Ashton Judd's first game in a Missouri uniform, the exhibition game against Northwest Missouri State, was the opposite of what she's capable of.

Pingeton made it clear the freshman from West Plains has the potential to be so much better, and Judd showed her ability for some instant offense against Bradley as she hit two 3-pointers in the first half. That eclipsed MU's total number of 3-pointers made against Missouri State on Monday.

What makes Judd so potent as a freshman is her quick release on her shots. She also knows where she has to be on offense in order to create good looks for herself and her teammates. It helps when MU has been a pass-first team in its first two games of the season.

"Those extra passes really help," Judd said. "And I was open."

She's also confident in her shot. She finished Thursday's game shooting 3 of 7 from beyond the arc and had 12 points off the bench.

Judd also played over 20 minutes of game time, meaning Pingeton isn't afraid of her not being up to speed in the college game. So far, she's ahead of schedule.

Physically, she can hold her own against other Division I opponents. Her presence off the bench gives Pingeton an offensive-minded player off the bench early on.

Whether or not that changes come SEC play depends on how Judd develops in non-conference play. But her quick shooting is an asset that can contribute to the MU staff pairing different rotations together.

"We've got a really strong roster of shooters," Pingeton said. "

How deep will Mizzou's rotation be? However deep it needs to be.

Pingeton showed last year she can make do with what she has. This was especially true in the win over South Carolina, and on the road against Florida.

This year, Pingeton might have games where she needs to go deep within her lineup. She went 11-deep on Thursday against Bradley because MU won by 45.

Obviously, it would be a boon to consistently go that deep. Especially as SEC play comes around and Missouri can use fresh legs.

"I hope so," Pingeton said of continuously going 11 deep. "I have no idea what it's going to look like as we get deeper into the season."

A 22-point scoring run in the third quarter allowed her to sub in the likes of Micah Linthacum, Sarah Linthacum and Averi Kroenke for some playing time. The Linthacum sisters combined for 13 points, while Kroenke grabbed four rebounds in 16 minutes.

Kelly is a good example of how improved a player can be simply with more playing time. She's clearly stronger as the beginning of the 22-23 season gets underway, and has added a nifty spin to her offensive post-game.

Kelly said it was there all along. Pingeton said she's seen the spin before, too. But, MU could use a few other players to grow this season just as Kelly did last year. There's an entire non-conference slate to do so.

"That's what these games are for, to evaluate," Pingeton said. "I think we've got the talent to go deep, and I think you'll see a team that goes deeper than we have in the past."

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: 3 takeaways from Missouri women's basketball's home opener