March 4, 2002

Dallas, Texas - University of Missouri sophomore cagers Rickey Paulding and Arthur Johnson received recognition today for their outstanding play this season, as Big 12 Conference writers selected them to a pair of specialty teams.

Paulding was named to the All-Underrated team, while Johnson was selected to the All-Defensive team by league scribes.

Paulding is coming off a stellar 23-point game Sunday vs. #1 Kansas. He's averaging 11.4 points per game this season, and ranks among Big 12 statistical leaders in 3-pt. percentage (6th -- 45.1%) and field goal percentage (8th -- 51.5%). Those numbers are up from his freshman numbers of 7.0 points, 21.4% from 3-pt. range and 42.1% from the floor.

Johnson had a solid game Sunday vs. KU as well, with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks. A.J. is 3rd on the team in scoring with a 12.1 per-game average, and is 2nd in the Big 12 in blocked shots (2.13 p/g). He also ranks among league leaders in field goal percentage (5th -- 55.5%), offensive rebounding (5th -- 3.4 p/g) and total rebounding (6th -- 8.1 p/g).

Missouri (20-9 overall, 9-7 in Big 12 Conference play), is preparing for its opening-round game of the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. The 6th-seeded Tigers will face the 11th-seeded Iowa State Cyclones (12-18, 4-12) Thursday at Kemper Arena. Tipoff time is scheduled for 8:35 p.m. (central), and the game will be shown nationally on ESPN2. The game will also be available live on the Internet at www.mutigers.com.