Three Missouri basketball players, all expected contributors this season, will not be available to play Friday in the Tigers’ home opener against Southeast Missouri State.

Combo forward Trent Pierce, small forward Annor Boateng and center Trent Burns each will be held out of the 7 p.m. game Friday at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. All three players also did not play in Mizzou’s season-opening win on the road at Howard on Monday in Washington, D.C.

Pierce and Boateng officially were ruled out of the Howard game shortly before tipoff with what the team classified as lower-body injuries.

Mizzou coach Dennis Gates said he held Pierce out of practice on Thursday after the forward practice Tuesday and Wednesday. He will not make his season debut, and transfer forward Jevon Porter is likely to

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