Oct. 3, 2007
Columbia, Mo. - With the official start of the college basketball season on the horizon (Mizzou Madness on Oct. 12), the University of Missouri Men's Basketball team will host its annual Black & Gold Game on Oct. 30, serving as a formal dress rehearsal before the Tigers open exhibition play against the University of Missouri-St. Louis on Nov. 3.
Start time for the Black & Gold Game is slated for 7 p.m. and doors to Mizzou Arena open at 6 p.m. The cost of the event is $5 per person, but a portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Columbia and Coaches vs. Cancer.
In addition to a full-scale scrimmage by the 2007-08 Tigers, members of the team will be signing pre-game autographs on the concourse of Mizzou Arena. Team posters and schedule cards will also be available for fans.
Mizzou Basketball is entering its second season under Head Coach Mike Anderson and the Tigers welcome back 11 letter winners and four starters from last season's 18-12 club. Preseason publications have been high on Anderson's second team, as both Athlon Sports and Lindy's College Basketball have picked Mizzou to advance to NCAA Tournament play.
The Tigers will enjoy a veteran lineup this season, highlighted by the return of five seniors, including 2007 Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Year Stefhon Hannah. A preseason candidate for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year award, Hannah is joined by fellow seniors Marshall Brown, Darryl Butterfield, Jason Horton and Vaidotas Volkus. The added return of juniors Leo Lyons and Matt Lawrence and sophomores Keon Lawrence and J.T. Tiller gives the MU roster seven total players with starting experience under Anderson. Missouri also adds freshman post player Justin Safford and highly-touted transfer DeMarre Carroll, who was named one of the top transfers in Division I Basketball by Athlon Sports.
Tiger fans looking to catch an earlier glimpse of their 2007-08 squads can do so at Mizzou Madness on Oct. 12 inside Mizzou Arena. The opening night of practice throughout the college basketball world, Mizzou Madness will get underway at 9 p.m. and doors to the event will open at 8 p.m. The first 1,000 students in attendance will receive a free Mizzou Madness t-shirt and other prizes and give-a-ways will be up for grabs throughout the evening.
Mizzou Madness is scheduled immediately following the annual Rockbridge-Hickman high school football game and admission (and parking) is free to the general public. Mizzou Basketball is teaming up with the Central Missouri Food Bank and asks fans to donate one canned (food) item per person upon entry. Collection bins will be available at the gates.
A new media feature at this year's Mizzou Madness will come courtesy of Metro Sports out of Kansas City. A partner of the Mizzou Sports Network, Metro Sports will provide live look-ins and interviews from Mizzou Madness to help the Kansas City-area Tiger fans get a sneak peak at their 2007-08 squads.
Season tickets for an exciting year of Tiger Basketball are now on sale. To purchase your tickets, contact the Mizzou Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-CAT-PAWS.
For more information on the 2007-08 Mizzou Men's Basketball program, visit mutigers.com.