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Missouri's defense definitely struggles in terms of FG percentage, due to the lack of size.
Being forced to double-team in the post creates a lot of open perimeter shots for opposing teams. If you don't double-team, you open up to a lot of high percentage shots for the guy English is guarding (either from English playing behind him or trying to front him). Fronting is dangerous because you still have to commit help over the top.
The Tigers' FG percentage D does not tell the entire story. They make up in part for their size deficiency by winning the turnover battle by a significant margin (6 TO/game). That's why Mizzou's adjusted defensive ranking is in the top 50 rather than top 200 it's pure FG percentage numbers show.
I'm not sure how the guys that do those efficiency rankings, but it makes sense that they rank Mizzou around 50. If you consider the +6 turnover a game as 6 missed baskets, that adjusts Mizzou's FG percentage D into the 39 percent range, which would rank in the top 50.
Having a big shot-blocker at the back end who can also help on the glass would be really helpful as well. Bowers is that type of player (he's not Anthony Davis, but he is a talented shot-blocker and decent rebounder), but obviously he's not a factor this year...
What really hurts is not having Tony Mitchell. His defensive prowess (and flexibility) would really fill a lot of defensive holes, especially against athletic 3 men (who have consistently killed Mizzou).
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