Oct. 9, 2007
Irving, Texas - University of Missouri junior forward DeMarre Carroll (Birmingham, Ala. / John Carroll HS / Vanderbilt) received some preseason hardware from the Big 12 Conference coaches on Tuesday, when the rugged forward was named the league's Preseason Newcomer of the Year in a league-wide vote.
With the preseason notation, Carroll will give Missouri a chance at winning the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year award for the second consecutive season. Teammate Stefhon Hannah (Chicago, Ill. / Hyde Park HS / Chipola CC) was the unanimous choice for Big 12 Newcomer of the Year last year after pacing the club in scoring (15.4), assists (4.6) and steals (2.4) in 2006-07.
A highly-anticipated arrival for Mike Anderson's team this season, the 6-foot-8, 225-pounder resumes his collegiate playing career after sitting out the 2006-07 campaign as a transfer from Vanderbilt University. A two-year performer for the Commodores, Carroll averaged 10.9 points and 6.4 rebounds as a sophomore in 2005-06, playing in 29 games and making 15 starts. A native of Birmingham, Ala., Carroll played his best basketball in Southeastern Conference action, seeing his statistical averages jump to 12.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. The 7.4 boards led Vandy and ranked No. 9 in the SEC, while his 12.1 points ranked second on the club and No. 18 in the league. A solid defensive presence, Carroll led Vanderbilt with 37 steals (1.28 spg) and shot 51.0 percent from the floor (131-of-257), which was second on the team.
"I'm real excited, I'm real hungry to get this season going," DeMarre Carroll said. "Anytime I step out on that court, I want to make the most of it. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to help our team win and make the NCAA Tournament. I want to help send this senior class out with a trip to the Big Dance.
"Being named Preseason Newcomer of the Year is a great honor and I suppose it means that people believe I can help this team, but realistically, it doesn't mean much," Carroll continued. "We still have a job to do. Now we just have to go do it."
Carroll's rebounding ability should immediately bolster Mizzou's depth in the paint. As a sophomore, Carroll led Vandy in rebounding 10 times and his 3.0 offensive rebounds per game in 16 SEC contests ranked fourth in the league overall. Included in Carroll's statistical exploits were a 22-point, 12-rebound effort against Kentucky and an 18-point, nine-board night at eventual NCAA Champion Florida. In six combined games vs. NCAA participants Florida (NCAA Champion), Kentucky and Tennessee in 2005-06, Carroll averaged 15.5 points and 10.2 rebounds with four double-doubles.
The University of Missouri Men's Basketball program opens its doors on the 2007-08 season with Mizzou Madness on Friday, Oct. 12 at 9 p.m. Held following the annual Rock Bridge-Hickman high school football game at Faurot Field, Mizzou Madness is free to the general public, but the University of Missouri Department of Athletics 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. The first 1,000 students in attendance will receive a free Mizzou Madness t-shirt and other prizes will be up for grabs throughout the evening. Doors to Mizzou Madness open at 8 p.m.
A new media feature at this year's event 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 of the 2007-08 squad.
Tiger Basketball is also hosting its annual Black & Gold Game at 7 p.m. on Oct. 30. Admission to the Black & Gold Game is just $5 and a portion of the proceeds will go to benefit Coaches vs. Cancer and the Boys & Girls Club of Mid-Missouri.