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Nov. 1, 2007

Columbia, Mo. - Mizzou Basketball News and Notes 2007-08

Missouri Tigers (0-0 exhibition) vs.
Missouri-St. Louis Tritons (0-0 exhibition)

Exhibition Game 1 - November 3, 2007 - Columbia, Mo.

Tip-off: 3:06 p.m. CST
Arena: Mizzou Arena - Columbia, Mo. (15,061)
TV: MSN / (Dan MacLaughlin, play-by-play; Coach Norm Stewart, analyst)
Radio: None
Rankings: None
Series: First Meeting
Coaches:
Missouri: Mike Anderson (Tulsa '82); 107-53 overall (6th season); 18-12 at Mizzou (2nd)
UMSL: Chris Pilz (UMSL '91) 41-68 overall (5th season)

For Openers
> Mizzou opens its second season of play under Head Coach Mike Anderson on Saturday when it tips off exhibition action against the University of Missouri-St. Louis ... The Tigers are 2-0 all-time under Anderson in exhibition games and are averaging 99.5 points in the two contests, including a 46-point margin of victory.

> Saturday's game marks the first of four potential games vs. intrastate foes ... The Tigers face Missouri Western in the exhibition finale on Nov. 8 and could face Central Missouri on Nov. 13 ... Competition vs. "Show Me State" opposition concludes on Jan. 8 vs. UMKC.

> Exhibition contests excluded, Mizzou has dominated in-state foes over the years ... The Tigers are 143-56 all-time vs. opponents from the state of Missouri, but tonight's meeting vs. UMSL is the first in school history.

> While tonight's game won't count, Missouri has dominated non-conference opponents at home over the past two of seasons ... The Tigers have won 18 consecutive home games vs. non-Big 12 opponents dating back to a Nov. 14, 2005, loss to Sam Houston State in the opening round of the NIT Season Tip Off.

> What a difference a year makes ... Last season Missouri ranked near the bottom of the Big 12 with 37 percent of its scoring and rebounding returning from a 12-18 club ... Now, in Anderson's second season, the Tigers rank among the Big 12's best with 87.6 percent of its scoring, 80.4 percent of its rebounds, 96.1 percent of its assists and 94.3 percent of its steals returning from last year's 18-12 club ... The Tigers also return four starters and 11 total letter winners, while adding junior DeMarre Carroll and freshman Justin Safford to the rotation.

> Missouri was the Big 12's most improved scoring team last year, going from an average of 66.3 points per game in 2005-06 (No. 11 in the Big 12) to 77.6 points per game last season. The 77.6 points per game was third in the Big 12 and the Tigers improved 11.3 points per game overall in the scoring column ... That scoring average also ranked No. 27 nationally and was the 11th-highest scoring average nationally among BCS Conference schools in 2006-07.

> Stick around following the exhibition opener against UMSL as Missouri's gridiron contest at Colorado will be shown live on the Mizzou Arena video boards ... Kickoff from Boulder is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and concession stands will remain open ... Admission to watch the football game at Mizzou Arena is free to the general public.

Mizzou Quick-Hitters
> Mizzou opens its 102nd season of college basketball on Saturday when it hosts the University of Missouri-St. Louis in exhibition play.

> Today's game will be the first all-time meeting between the Tigers and Tritons.

> This will mark the third exhibition game under Mike Anderson at Missouri and the Tigers are 2-0 all-time in the preseason affairs.

> Anderson has yet to lose a non-conference game at Mizzou Arena since his hiring in 2006 ... The Tigers were a perfect 11-0 last season on the friendly confines of Norm Stewart Court.

> Missouri is playing its first of 19 scheduled home games on Saturday ... The Tigers continue exhibition action on Nov. 8 vs. Missouri Western and will then open the regular season on Nov. 12-13 with the College Basketball Experience Classic.

> The CBE Classic marks the third consecutive season the Tigers have hosted a preseason tournament game ... Mizzou hosted an opening round game in the 2005-06 NIT Season Tip Off and hosted the John Thompson Foundation Classic last season.

> The Tigers got their 2007-08 season underway on Tuesday with the annual Black & Gold Game ... The two clubs combined for 196 points and shot a robust 55.7 percent from the floor, including 45.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Tiger Tidbits (Individual Notes)
> In his first public scrimmage as a Tiger, DeMarre Carroll led all players with 29 points and 11 rebounds in 39 minutes of action.

> Carroll hit 12-of-19 shots from the floor and tied for game-high honors with three steals.

> Marshall Brown got his senior season off to a great start, dropping in 24 points in the Black & Gold Game thanks to 3-of-4 shooting from three-point range.

> J.T. Tiller spent a majority of his summer months in Columbia working on his offensive consistency and the Tiger sophomore scored 24 points on 11-of-20 shooting to pace the Mizzou Gold Squad on Tuesday ... The 20 field goal attempts led all players and the Marietta, Ga., native finished an impressive 10-of-16 shooting from inside the arc.

> While Tiller ruled the paint, teammate Matt Lawrence controlled the perimeter, hitting 7-of-11 treys en route to 24 points ... Lawrence also nabbed four boards and dished three assists without committing a turnover.

> With the squad split into two teams, former Tiger Marcus Watkins and MU assistant coach T.J. Cleveland competed in the contest ... Watkins grabbed two rebounds and had an assist, while Cleveland hit a trey and dished three assists.

> While most of the Tigers opened their 2007-08 season on Tuesday, Zaire Taylor concluded his ... The Delaware transfer will now sit out the remainder of the year per NCAA Transfer guidelines ... Taylor made the most of the scrimmage, scoring 11 points, grabbing six boards, dishing five assists and committing just one turnover in 31 minutes.

Black & Gold Game Rehash
Although exhibition play usually signals the start of the college basketball season, Missouri annually gets a jump start to the year by hosting the Black & Gold Game inside Mizzou Arena ... Held on Tuesday (Oct. 30), the Mizzou Black squad came away with a 101-95 win over Mizzou Gold in the 40-minute scrimmage.

> DeMarre Carroll scored a game high 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Mizzou Black squad, while fellow big man Marshall Brown scored 24 points and added four caroms to lead the Black to the six-point win.

> Not to be outdone, junior sharpshooter Matt Lawrence and sophomore J.T. Tiller scored 24 points apiece to pace the Gold Squad ... Lawrence hit 7-of-11 three-pointers, while Tiller hit 11-of-20 shots and ripped away three steals.

Now That Schedule Is Tiger Tough
It's a schedule that would make Jeff Sagarin and Joe Lunardi scream "Uncle!". Missouri's 2007-08 schedule is loaded with great competition and those tough contests begin with the opening round of the CBE Classic in Columbia.

> From the season opener against Central Michigan (Preseason No. 2 in the MAC West), and a potential matchup with Fordham (ranked No. 63 by Rivals.com), to 13 games against teams currently ranked or receiving votes in the Associated Press's Top 25, Missouri's schedule ranks among the nation's toughest.

> The Tigers could face up to seven opponents from BCS Conferences during non-league play, which would be the most in the regular-season since the 1985-86 campaign when the Tigers faced eight "BCS" squads.

> In fact, Missouri could face a team from each BCS league minus the Big East ... Missouri has games vs. Mississippi State and Arkansas from the SEC, Purdue and Illinois from the Big Ten, California from the Pac-10 and could face Maryland from the ACC.

> Mizzou could face up to five NCAA Tournament teams in non-league action ... The Tigers are guaranteed games against 2006-07 NCAA participants Arkansas, Illinois and Purdue and could enjoy two games versus UCLA, Michigan State and Maryland at the O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic in Kansas City, Mo. In addition to those contests, the Tigers have a game at Mississippi State, a program that advanced to Madison Square Garden for the semifinals of the Postseason NIT last season.

Carroll Earning Numerous Preseason Awards
DeMarre Carroll continues to rack up the preseason accolades ... A 6-foot-8, 225-pound transfer from Vanderbilt, Carroll was named the Big 12 Conference's Preseason Newcomer of the Year by the league coaches, while being ranked among the nation's top transfers by rivals.com, Street & Smith and Lindy's College Basketball annuals.

> The 6-foot-8, 225-pounder resumes his collegiate playing career after sitting out the 2006-07 campaign as a transfer from Vandy ... 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.

> The Birmingham, Ala., native 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.

> Carroll was also named the nation's No. 3 Impact Transfer by Rivals.com.

Hannah Named To Cousy Award List
Stefhon Hannah was named a preseason candidate for the Bob Cousy Award, given annually to the nation's top collegiate point guard ... The Chicago, Ill., native is one of four Big 12 point guards recognized on this year's preseason list, joining D.J. Augustin (Texas), Curtis Jerrells (Baylor) and Russell Robinson (Kansas).

> The Bob Cousy Award recognizes the top collegiate point guard in NCAA Division I, II and III and the selection committee is comprised of college basketball experts, including members of the media, along with former coaches and players.

Year No. 2 Has Been One Of Big Improvement For Head Coach Mike Anderson
Named the nation's No. 1 Immediate Impact Coach by Sports Illustrated's Seth Davis last season may have just been the tip of the iceberg ... After all, Head Coach Mike Anderson typically makes his most significant strides in year No. 2 ... From his playing days at both Jefferson State Community College (NJCAA National Runner-up in second year) and Tulsa (NCAA Tournament in second season) to his coaching tenures at Arkansas and UAB, Anderson has helped his clubs make large improvements in year No. 2.

> Overall, Anderson's teams have averaged a startling 5.3 win improvement during that second season, which becomes even more impressive since his first-year clubs at Tulsa, Arkansas, UAB and Missouri averaged a solid 17.5 wins per year.

> Each time in year No. 2, Anderson's clubs found their way to post-season play, including his 2003-04 UAB club that advanced to the Sweet Sixteen and claimed a share of Conference USA's National Division ... In his second season at Tulsa, Anderson helped the Golden Hurricane to NCAA Tournament action, while in his second season at Arkansas, the Razorbacks rebounded from a 12-win campaign to go 19-14 and advance to the second round of the NIT.

Family Affair
Mizzou Basketball is a family affair ... Head Coach Mike Anderson has three relatives on this season's squad ... His son, Michael Anderson, Jr., is a junior for Missouri after transferring from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, while his nephew, DeMarre Carroll, is ready to open his Missouri career after redshirting the 2006-07 campaign following two stellar seasons at Vanderbilt ... Another of Anderson's nephews, T.J. Cleveland, is an assistant coach for the Tigers and spent his playing days under Anderson and Nolan Richardson at the University of Arkansas.

> Another family connection not to be forgotten is that Associate Head Coach Melvin Watkins is the father of graduate assistant and former Tiger letterman Marcus Watkins.

Anderson = Championship Basketball
The Tiger Slam is a term typically used in PGA Tour Golf when referring to Tiger Woods' run of four consecutive majors throughout the 2000 and 2001 seasons, but Missouri's newest Tiger, Head Coach Mike Anderson, has achieved a Grand Slam of success of his own ... As a player, Anderson helped guide Nolan Richardson and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane to the 1981 NIT Title thanks to an 86-84 win over Danny Schayes and Syracuse ... Anderson then continued his success in the coaching profession, helping Arkansas achieve (12) 20-win seasons, four 30-win campaigns, three Final Fours and the 1994 National Championship ... As a head coach, Anderson earned a conference title with UAB in 2004 and led the Blazers to the Sweet 16.

Norm Stewart Storms The CBB Hall Of Fame
Legendary Mizzou sideline boss Norm Stewart is a Hall of Famer, yet again ... Following 32 historic seasons directing the University of Missouri basketball program to a 634-333 overall mark, Stewart will lead an 11-member class into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame on Nov. 18, 2007 in Kansas City ... Stewart's Hall of Fame induction could coincide with Mizzou games in the semifinals and final of the CBE Classic in Kansas City on Nov. 19-20.

> The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame is located inside the College Basketball Experience, which is adjacent to the newly-constructed Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City.

> Stewart spent 38 seasons overall as a head coach at the collegiate level, including six years at the University of Northern Iowa ... A winner of 731 career games, Stewart ranked No. 7 on college basketball's all-time wins list at the time of his retirement in 1999 and only two coaches had coached in more career games than the 1,106 Stewart directed during his coaching tenure.

Former Tiger Marcus Watkins Joins Staff
Head Coach Mike Anderson added former Mizzou letterman Marcus Watkins to his staff this summer as a graduate assistant.

> Watkins will assist with Missouri's video exchange program, while continuing to work on his graduate degree ... A 2006 graduate of Mizzou, Watkins finished his playing career in 2007, which included a career high 15-point night against Colorado on Senior Night.

> A 2007 Academic All-Big 12 selection, Watkins is the son of current Tiger Associate Head Coach Melvin Watkins and was named to the All-America Strength Team by the National Strength Coaches Association.