COLUMBIA, Mo. — Mr. Smith did it again for Missouri.
A week after senior Mark Smith was chosen as the SEC Player of the Week, fellow Tigers senior guard Dru Smith picked up the same honor this week after wins against Liberty and No. 6 Illinois in the Braggin' Rights Game.
It's the first SEC Player of the Week award for Dru Smith, who averaged 16 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in helping Mizzou improve to 5-0 on the season.
Dru Smith also was singled out for his defensive work.
He typically covers the opponent's best guard. During the Illinois game, he took two charges and created a late turnover to help seal the Tigers' 81-78 win.
#SECMBB Player of the Week: @dru_smith_12
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) December 14, 2020
Full release » https://t.co/kVWf0wlz2m. pic.twitter.com/hn23G7IbZa
After the Illinois win, which was Mizzou's first against a top-10 team since beating No. 5 Florida in February 2013, coach Cuonzo Martin's teamentered The Associated Press Top 25 at No. 16 on Monday.
It's the first time the Tigers have been ranked since January 2014 and MU's highest ranking since reaching No. 10 on Jan. 7, 2013.
The Tigers, who are 5-0 for the first time since 2016, return to action Friday against Prairie View A&M at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.
