Dec. 6, 2006

Columbia, Mo. - By Mustafa Mohammad, Media Relations Student-Assistant

Working hard in the offseason, junior Glen Dandridge appeared to be ready for a breakout campaign, only to suffer a setback by breaking the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. Despite the hold up, Dandridge is looking for a fast recovery to get back on the court.

"It's very frustrating, but all I can do is work and wait for my day to come back," Dandridge said. "Coach [David] Deets, our strength coach, has me doing all types of stuff conditioning work. I'm swimming in the pool, getting exercises. I'm still lifting and getting shots up so when I come back, I'll be fresh and ready to step in wherever this team needs me."

Just a week after his surgery, Dandridge was already back on the court. Initially, the 6-foot-6 forward wore a protective boot to provide support for his surgically-repaired toe, but is already back wearing basketball shoes with the hopes of making a quick recovery to help his team, especially since freshman guard Keon Lawrence went down with a stress fracture as well.

Coming into his freshman season at Missouri, Dandridge was part of a top-15 recruiting class that had the likes of Jason Horton, Marshall Brown and Kalen Grimes. Dandridge was ranked as high as the No. 92 prospect in the country and was well known for his range. Dandridge was expected to have an immediate impact, but that hasn't panned out so far.

"It was kind of a different program," Dandridge said on his struggles. "I guess the way I played just really didn't fit in with the way Coach Q wanted to play. This year's going to be better, and it's going to be fun. I'm look forward to it once I heal.

"The last couple years have been rough," Dandridge continued. "I really didn't get much playing time so I'm really looking to step my game up this year."

Things have changed since Head Coach Mike Anderson was hired on March 26 and Dandridge is looking forward to what Anderson brings to the table. "He has just brought a new life, a new beginning and some fresh faces into the program. He's a great person and everybody likes him," Dandridge said.

One aspect Dandridge finds appealing is Anderson's value of family, which promotes team unity.

"He has a great family background, his nephew is one of the assistant coaches, his son plays on the team and also another nephew is on the team," Dandridge said. "Everyone being on the same team and the same page is a great thing. You know your family has got your back."

Anderson brings in a new method of basketball, and is known for pushing his team up and down the court. The fast paced tempo is something Dandridge is looking forward to this season and feels that he can fit in with the system this time.

"I like to run. That's more of my style. Most people know me as just a shooter, but I'm also very athletic and I can run the floor," Dandridge said. "I expect to have a lot fun, it's going to be real exciting. This up-tempo style is fun to play. You have to be enthusiastic and bring a lot of energy."

With Anderson came seven new players in freshmen guards Lawrence and J.T. Tiller, junior college transfers Stefhon Hannah, Vaidotas Volkus, and Darryl Butterfield, UAB transfer Michael Anderson Jr., and Vanderbilt transfer DeMarre Carroll. Dandridge expects a lot of contribution from the newcomers.

"They bring a lot of talent," he said. "We've got a lot of junior college players that came from different schools, so we have a lot of experience."

Dandridge isn't holding anything back and has high hopes for the upcoming season and will do everything he can to take the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004.

"We just have to play hard, that's the whole thing. Play hard," Dandridge said. "Wherever coach wants me to play, that's where I'll play. I'm going to do whatever it takes to win."