Oct. 11, 2007
Irving, Texas - What a difference a year makes. After being picked last by numerous preseason publications just one season ago, Head Coach Mike Anderson and his Missouri Tigers were picked to finish fifth in the Big 12 Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released Thursday by the league office.
The Tigers received 66 total votes to tie with Oklahoma in the fifth spot. Kansas was selected as the league's preseason favorite, accumulating 120 points and 10 total first-place votes. Texas was second with 105 points, while Texas A&M was third with 101 points and two first-place tallies.
Missouri enters the 2007-08 campaign on the strength of 11 returning lettermen and four returning starters from last season's 18-12 club. The Tigers will enjoy a veteran lineup 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 returning starters Marshall Brown, Keon Lawrence and Matt Lawrence. The Tigers also return key seniors Darryl Butterfield, Jason Horton and Vaidotas Volkus as well as junior forward Leo Lyons and sophomore guard J.T. Tiller.
Included amongst Missouri's newcomers are freshman post Justin Safford and 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward DeMarre Carroll. Carroll was selected the Big 12's Preseason Newcomer of the Year on Tuesday.
Tiger fans looking to catch an early 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 squad.
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.