Kareem Rush and the Tigers look to get back on track in the new year.Kareem Rush and the Tigers look to get back on track in the new year.
Men's Basketball

Tigers Host Coppin State Wednesday

Jan. 1, 2002

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#17 Missouri Tigers (9-3) vs.
Coppin State Eagles (3-10)
Game# 13 - Jan. 2, 2002 - Columbia, Mo.

TIPOFF: 7:00 p.m. (central time).

ARENA: Hearnes Center (13,545). Opened in 1972. MU is 372-65 (.851) there alltime, including 202-21 (.906) vs. non-conference opponents.

RADIO: Tiger Network (Mike Kelly, play-by-play/Gary Link, color). Carried on more than 50 stations statewide, and on the Internet at www.mutigers.com.

TV: Mizzou Sports Network (Chris Gervino, play-by-play/Jon Sundvold, color).

RANKINGS: MU is #17 (A.P.) & #18 (ESPN/USA), Coppin State is not ranked.

SERIES: MU leads, 2-1, with all 3 meetings coming at the Hearnes Center. Coppin State won the last meeting, 78-70 (Dec. 2, 1997).

17th-RANKED MIZZOU HOPES FOR A FRESH START IN 2002
After closing the 2001 calendar year with losses in three consecutive games, the 17th-ranked Missouri Tigers (9-3) return home to begin 2002 in search of a streak-breaking win. They'll have to do so against the traditionally-pesky Coppin State Eagles (3-10), who won in their last appearance at the Hearnes Center (78-70 on Dec. 2, 1997).

Mizzou won its first 9 games of the year, and climbed to No. 2 in the national polls, prior to its current 3-game skid. The Tigers lost in their last home game to then-No. 15 Iowa, and are looking to keep alive a streak in which MU has never lost consecutive non-conference home games at the Hearnes Center.

Coppin comes to Columbia having lost 3 straight games, and 9 of its last 10 overall. The Eagles haven't played a home game since losing to Hampton, 81-69, on Dec 3.

GETTING BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS
After an irregular holiday routine, the Missouri Tigers hope to get back to their winning ways as they return to a more normal schedule.

Many factors can be brought forth as reasons why MU has struggled in its last 3 games, but one could argue the poor play of late has been due to the Tigers' irregular schedule.

Mizzou won its first 9 games of the season, in a span of 24 days (from Nov. 13 to Dec. 6). The next 23 days (Dec. 7-Dec. 29) saw MU play just 3 games, and whether it was rust or not, the Tigers couldn't shake the cobwebs enough to avoid dropping all 3 games.

CONTRARY TO POPULAR OPINION
Obviously, no-one in the Tiger camp is happy about the teams' play of late, and while there's a fair amount of concern, there's certainly no need for panic.

That's the opposite of what you might get listening to talk radio or the wonderful, intuitive and accurate* internet chat boards. According to those "informed" folks, Mizzou probably won't win another game this year, and should probably begin planning for next season.

Well, the sun has actually come up in Columbia since last Saturday's loss at DePaul, and the team continues to work hard in practice to get better.

Speaking in general terms, what are some things that MU is hoping to focus on to get the ship righted?

  • Improved shooting. That's been the most painfully obvious trouble MU has dealt with the last 3 games, as the team has shot a paltry 34.2% overall. Confidence, or lack of it, has likely been a factor, as good shot after good shot just hasn't fallen lately.
  • Better patience offensively. When the team has gotten behind, they've sometimes been guilty of forcing shots and not looking for the extra pass. In the last 3 games, MU has averaged 10.3 assists per game, after averaging 16.7 in its opening 9 games.
  • Get to the foul line, especially if shots aren't falling. In the last 3 games, opponents have made more foul shots (57) than MU has attempted (47). Last Saturday at DePaul was a perfect example, as the Blue Demons squeaked out a 1-pt. win based on making 21-of-34 FTs, to just 6-of-10 for MU.
  • Improved defense. Missouri currently ranks 11th in the Big 12 Conference in defensive field goal percentage, allowing foes a success rate of 42.6%. MU hasn't kept opponents off the foul line, either, as opponents have averaged 30.0 free throw attempts in the last 3 games, compared to just 18.3 in MU's opening 9 games.

    *-That was an attempt at pure, 100%, unadulterated sarcasm. Nothing on the Internet has ever been verified as correct.