Oct. 21, 2004

Columbia, MO - The University of Missouri Men's Basketball squad was picked to finish fifth in the Big 12 Conference in 2004-05 by the leagues' Coaches, it was announced today by the Big 12 Conference Office. The Tigers received 80 votes in the poll. Kansas and Oklahoma State tied for the top spot in the preseason poll, marking the first time in conference history that two teams have shared the top spot in the poll. The media preseason poll will be conducted in conjunction with the Big 12 Basketball Media Day on Oct. 27-28 in Kansas City, MO.

The Tigers enter the season with eight returning letterwinners and five newcomers on the squad. Senior Jason Conley, junior Jimmy McKinney and sophomore's Linas Kleiza and Thomas Gardner will lead the Tigers attack when they make their debut in the new home of Mizzou Basketball, the state-of-the-art Paige Sports Arena. Mizzou opens the regular season on Nov. 15 when they take on Brown in the opening round of the Guardians Classic in Columbia.

This weekend, the Tigers will be in action in the annual Black and Gold game, which will be played one hour following the Tiger's football contest with Oklahoma State, which kicks off at 2:30 pm. Tickets are still available for the football game as well as the Black and Gold Basketball game. Tickets for the Black and Gold are $5 with $1 dollar from each ticket sold going to the Coaches vs. Cancer organization and $1 going to the Boys & Girls Club. For more information on Mizzou men's basketball, log on to the home of Mizzou Athletics on the web, www.mutigers.com.

2004-05 Preseason Coaches' Poll
 Team (First Place Votes) Points
T-1st Kansas (6) 116
 Oklahoma State (6) 116
3 Texas 97
4 Oklahoma 94
5 Missouri 80
6 Iowa State 68
7 Texas Tech 61
8 Nebraska 47
9 Kansas State 42
10 Colorado 31
11 Texas A&M 29
12 Baylor 11

Here's a quick look at MU's Big 12 history in the coaches' pre-season poll:

Year Predicted Finish
1996-97 No Preseason poll 10th
1997-98 4th T-5th
1998-99 3rd T-2nd
1999-00 5th 6th
2000-01 3rd 6th
2001-02 2nd 6th
2002-03 4th 5th
2003-04 1st 6th
2004-05 5th ???

Note: Points were awarded 11 for first, 10 for second, nine for third, etc. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.