Jan. 27, 2006

Columbia, Mo -

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McKinney Closing In On A Milestone
Jimmy McKinney's versatility has the Tiger senior closing in on a milestone ... After scoring his 1,000th career point against Iowa State on Jan. 25, the former Vashon High School standout needs just 22 rebounds to become the fifth player in Missouri history to record 1,000 points, 400 rebounds and 300 assists during his Mizzou playing career ... McKinney has already topped 300 assists and currently has 327 heading into the contest with Nebraska ... Once McKinney tops 400 boards, the St. Louis, Mo., native will join Doug Smith (1987-01), Anthony Peeler (1988-92), Melvin Booker (1990-94) and Greg Cavener (1981-85) as the only Tigers to accomplish the 1,000-point, 400-rebound, 300-assist feat.

Tigers Honor All-Century Squad
During the Feb. 12 contest against Kansas State, the University of Missouri will honor its 30-member All-Century Team ... The school's 20 consensus All-Americans were automatically selected to the squad, while fans were able to vote in the remaining 10 members ... Below is a look at the Mizzou All-Century grouping, separated by the First Team All-Americans and At-Large selections:

All-Americans (20): Melvin Booker (1991-94); John Brown (1971-73); Arthur Browning (1921-23); Herb Bunker (1921-23); Derrick Chievous (1985-88); Max Collings (1930-31); Marshall Craig (1928-30); Ricky Frazier (1980-82); Charles Henke (1959-61); John Lobsiger (1938-40); Anthony Peeler (1989-92); Craig Ruby (1918-20); Doug Smith (1988-91); Willie Smith (1975-76); Bill Stauffer (1950-52); Norm Stewart (1954-56); Steve Stipanovich (1980-83); Jon Sundvold (1980-83); Fred Williams (1915-16); George Williams (1920-21).

At-Large selections by fans (10): Kim Anderson (1974-77); Keyon Dooling (1999-2000); Larry Drew (1977-80); Al Eberhard (1972-74); Clarence Gilbert (1999-02); Byron Irvin (1988-89); Arthur Johnson (2001-04); Rickey Paulding (2001-04); Kareem Rush (2000-02); Kelly Thames (1994-98).

Gardner Validating Non-Conference Exploits
With his career high 40 points against Kansas, 23 points against Oklahoma State, 22 points vs. Colorado and 21 points at No. 22 Oklahoma and at Kansas State, Thomas Gardner became just the third Tiger since 1973-74 to record five consecutive 20-point games to open Conference play ... Gardner joined Willie Smith (six consecutive - 1975-76) and Derrick Chievous (five consecutive - 1986-87) as the only Mizzou players to score 20-plus in five consecutive Conference games to open the year ... His current Big 12 average of 23.7 points bested both of those performers through six games ... Gardner did have his run of five straight 20-point efforts snapped against Iowa State however, as he scored 15 points in a season-low 25 minutes vs. the Cyclones.

Getting To Know Today's Foe
Nebraska (12-6, 2-3 Big 12) enters today's game following an 81-59 loss at Colorado on Wednesday ... The Cornhuskers return to the Bob Devaney Sports Center on a three-game losing skid, which originated during an 88-75 home loss to Iowa State on Jan. 17 ... Like the Tigers, Nebraska opened Big 12 play 2-0 thanks to a home win over Oklahoma (59-58) and a road win at Kansas State (57-42) ... The Cornhuskers do rank among the Big 12's top rebounding clubs (39.7 rpg.), but have had trouble scoring over the past two games with a 56.5 ppg. scoring average in road losses at Kansas (96-54) and Colorado ... One player who hasn't had trouble scoring is Wes Wilkinson ... Wilkinson leads the Big 12 with a 50.7 percent shooting stroke from three-point range and is averaging a team-best 12.3 points per game ... Wilkinson also paces the squad in rebounding (7.1) and leads the Big 12 with 36 blocked shots ... Jason Dourisseau (10.6 ppg) is the only other Cornhusker in double figures, while Joe McCray (37 treys) ranks third at 9.8 points per night.

Mizzou Series With Nebraska
Saturday's game marks the 205th all-time meeting between Missouri and Nebraska ... The Tigers lead the series 120-84 (.588) and have won nine of the last 10 contests, dating back to the 2000-01 campaign ... The Tigers have won three consecutive overall, each of which came during the 2004-05 season ... Head Coach Quin Snyder is 12-2 vs. Nebraska in 14 all-time meetings and is 4-2 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, including a 56-53 win at the arena last winter ... Overall, Nebraska leads the series 52-40 in Lincoln, but the Tigers are 14-10 over the last 24 meetings at NU dating back to the 1980-81 season.