With Tilmon back, Mizzou hopes to expunge second-half struggles

Missouri forward Jeremiah Tilmon (23) dunks the ball over Arkansas defenders Jalen Tate (11) and Connor Vanover (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Fayetteville, Ark. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Missouri basketball team’s flights to and from South Carolina will be slightly more cramped. That’s good news for the Tigers, because starting center Jeremiah Tilmon will coil his 6-foot-10 frame into their socially distanced airplane, rejoining the team after a one-week leave of absence.

Tilmon, giving the No. 20 Tigers his most productive and consistent season in this his senior year, missed the last two games after a death in his…