Jan. 25, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

University of Missouri Tigers (11-8, 1-3 Big 12)
vs.
University of Colorado Buffaloes (9-9, 1-3 Big 12)
Regular Season Game 20 - January 26, 2008 - Boulder, Colo.

Tip-off:
3:05 p.m. CST Arena:
Coors Event Center - Boulder, Colo. (11,064)
TV:
ESPN-Plus (Dave Armstrong play-by-play; Bob Sundvold analyst)
Radio:
Tiger Radio Network (Mike Kelly play-by-play; Gary Link analyst)
Rankings:
Mizzou: NR/NR, Colorado: NR/NR in Associated Press / USA Today Coaches polls
Series:
Missouri leads 92-52 overall; in Boulder Colorado leads 33-27

Coaches:
Missouri: Mike Anderson (Tulsa '82); 118-61 overall (6th season); 29-20 at Mizzou (2nd)
Colorado: Jeff Bzdelik (Ill.-Chicago '76); 94-56 overall (5th season); 9-9 at Colorado (1st)

For Openers
> Mizzou goes searching for its first road win of the 2007-08 season (0-5) when it travels to Boulder, Colo., to face first year Colorado Head Coach Jeff Bzdelik and his Buffaloes on Saturday at 3 p.m. ... The Tigers are looking for back-to-back wins in Boulder for the first time since the 2001-02 season.
> Mizzou is hoping history can repeat itself on Saturday ... Prior to Missouri's 79-65 win last season in Boulder, the Tigers entered the game with an 11-game road losing streak ... The team proceeded to win three of its next four road games including that victory.
> Although the Tigers are still searching for that first road win of the year, the team certainly has been close ... Missouri has enjoyed second-half leads in four of its five road games this season and were within one possession in the final minute at Iowa State last week in Ames.
> A win for the Tigers on Saturday would mark the club's fourth Big 12 road win under Anderson ... While the second-year coach would move to 4-7 on the road in Big 12 games, he would practically equal Mizzou's Big 12 road success in the three seasons before his arrival ... In the three years before he came to Columbia, Missouri was just 5-19 in league road games, with three of those wins coming in 2003-04, a season in which Mizzou opened the year in the preseason Top 5.
> Missouri has announced that it will host a "Black Out" for the Feb. 9 contest vs. No. 16/18 Texas A&M ... All fans attending the Saturday afternoon contest are encouraged to wear black in support of their Tigers.
> Missouri is the nation's No. 2 team at defending the three-point arc this season, as foes are shooting just 26.9 percent from bonus distance against them ... Missouri's three-point defense easily leads the Big 12 ... Oklahoma is second at 31.1 percent ... Over the last 15 games, opponents are shooting just 66-of-260 from three (.253) vs. the Tiger defense.
> A by-product of Missouri's great perimeter defense has been some huge scoring runs ... The Tigers have had seven runs of 20+ points this season, including a 34-2 run vs. McNeese State and a 24-4 run to close out Purdue.
> In addition to three-point defense, Missouri ranks among the national leaders in assists, steals and turnovers, key by-products of its fast-paced style of play ... Mizzou ranks No. 11 nationally in assists with 18.1 dimes, No. 10 with 18.8 turnovers forced per game and No. 14 with 9.6 steals.

Mizzou Quick-Hitters
> Mizzou continues its 102nd season of college basketball on Saturday afternoon when it travels to Boulder, Colo.
> Mizzou is looking for its first road win of the season and back-to-back road wins in Boulder.
> Head Coach Mike Anderson and Colorado coach Jeff Bzdelik will meet for the first time on Saturday ... Anderson is 2-0 all-time vs. Colorado and 1-0 in Boulder.
> One Tiger who has been very good against Colorado over the years is Matt Lawrence ... Lawrence led Mizzou in scoring twice vs. the Buffaloes, initially scoring 14 at CU, before returning home to score 17 to cap the season sweep.
> Despite Mizzou's 11-8 record early on in Big 12 play the Tigers have been close in nearly every game this season and have dropped six games by eight points or less, including two games currently ranked in the Top 10, No. 2 Kansas and No. 10 Michigan State.
> Although the Tigers are 0-2 on the road in Big 12 play this year, it's important to note that Mizzou had good success in league road games a year ago, winning at Iowa State, at Colorado and at No. 18 Oklahoma State, all by double-figure margins.
> As is the case with many teams across the country, Mizzou has been a buzz saw at home this year ... In running their mark to 10-1 at Mizzou Arena, the Tigers have averaged a 23.2 ppg. margin of victory on Norm Stewart Court.
> In fact, Mizzou has enjoyed double-figure wins in all-10 home win this year, with six of their last nine home wins coming by 30+ points ... Included in that impressive run is a 97-84 win over then-No. 12 Texas.
> Fueling those dominating wins have been some strong second-half performances over the last three weeks ... Mizzou scored a season high 61 second-half points against UMKC, which was the most since Missouri scored 64 against Chicago State on Dec. 2, 1995.
> The Tigers followed that up with 59 second-half tallies vs. No. 12/13 Texas on Jan. 12.
> Thanks to those huge second-half scoring numbers, Missouri ranks No. 19 nationally in scoring at 81.5 points per game.
> Another area of improvement for Mizzou has been in the rebounding column ... Missouri has out-rebounding its foes in 11-of-19 games this season ... Last season the Tigers won the battle of the boards just 13 times in 30 tries, including just six times in Big 12 play.
> Although the Tigers are clicking offensively, the team's defensive pressure may actually be picking up following last season's school record 302 steals ... The Tigers have forced 357 turnovers (182 steals) in 19 games this season ... Last year, Mizzou led the Big 12 with 10.1 steals and 18.9 turnovers per game and are averaging 9.6 steals and 18.8 turnovers forced per game this year, including the 23 turnovers forced vs. 2007 NCAA Tournament qualifiers Maryland and Arkansas.
> Conversely, the Tigers are turning the ball over just 13.8 times per game.
> Mizzou has done an excellent job converting off those miscues and are averaging 22.5 points per game off turnovers ... When you break down the numbers, Missouri is scoring 30 percent of its points off of turnovers (22.5-of-81.5 ppg).
> Overall, the Tigers are forcing a turnover once every six possessions, which allows them to average 7.9 more shots per game than their opponents.
> In addition to steals, a trademark of Mike Anderson-coached teams has been assist totals and the Tigers are recording assists on 60.8 percent of their buckets this season (344 assists on 566 FG's).
> When you take Missouri's 54 "put-back" buckets out of the equation, the Tigers are averaging assists on 69.2 percent of their field goals. > Overall, Missouri's 18.1 assists per game rank No. 11 nationally and has the club on pace to finish third all-time with 587 assists.
> The Tigers boast a +4.9 turnover margin on the year, which ranks among the best in America, due in large part to the fact their 13.8 turnovers committed per game rank No. 22 nationally.
> Missouri has flashed a balanced playing rotation, as nine Tigers are averaging at least 13.2 minutes per game and no player is averaging more than 28.1 minutes.
> Missouri has topped double figures in three-point makes four times this year, including a season high 12 vs. Texas ... The Tigers also hit 11 three-pointer vs. McNeese State and 10 three-pointer vs. Michigan State and Southern.
> ESPN's Pat Forde named Mizzou Arena the No. 1 "New School" college basketball arena in America ... Who can argue?, the place is loaded!

Tiger Tidbits (Individual Notes)
> The Junk Yard Dog has had a major impact in just his first season ... DeMarre Carroll, also known as J.Y.De, has reached double figures in 16-of-19 games this season to tie for the team lead in double-figure scoring contests this year.
> Carroll has also been the team's most consistent rebounder, and is averaging 10.3 rebounds per game in Big 12 play.
> The Birmingham, Ala., native narrowly missed his third consecutive double-figure rebound game with 14 points and nine boards at Texas Tech. > Carroll has actually been close to producing double-double efforts in 13 games this year and is averaging 14.3 points and 7.5 boards to rank among team leaders in both categories.
> Carroll has been at his best at home, where he is averaging 15.4 points and 8.1 boards and 1.6 steals on 60.4 percent shooting from the floor.
> The Big 12 Newcomer of the Year front-runner also ranks fifth in the Big 12 Conference in field goal percentage (.553), while ranking among the Top 11 in scoring (12th) and rebounding (5th).
> Even more incredible is that he is producing those numbers in just 25.1 minutes per game.
> Despite his size and position, Carroll ranks No. 14 in the Big 12 with 1.4 steals per game.
> Carroll always seems to find a way to impact the game for Missouri and while he was saddled with foul trouble vs. Purdue, the junior forward blocked a career high three shots in the final 4:11 to help lead Missouri to the come-from-behind win ... Carroll actually scored three points, had three blocks, two assists and a steal in the final 7:35 of the MU win vs. Purdue ... The Birmingham native also added a career-high tying four steals vs. McNeese State and UMKC, showing another way he has impacted a Tiger win.
> Carroll was recently named one of Seth Davis' (Sports Illustrated) Key Faces in New Places for 2007-08.
> ESPN's Andy Katz also said "there may not be a harder working interior player -- outside of Tyler Hansbrough -- than DeMarre Carroll."
> In case you were wondering, Carroll dominates the classroom too and needs seven hours in the spring semester to finish his degree and begin his Masters work in Administration.
> Stefhon Hannah continues to be one of the nation's most dynamic point guards and has reached double figures in 23 of his last 26 games, including a four 20-point efforts this season.
> Hannah seems to step it up in Big 12 play and has reached double figures in 18-of-21 career league games, including a run of nine consecutive Big 12 contests dating back to last season.
> Hannah's scoring numbers are up dramatically in Big 12 play and the senior leads the team with 17.8 points per outing ... In non-conference action Hannah averaged 13.9 points per game, marking a 3.9 ppg. improvement.
> Hannah has also improved his assist numbers this year and ranks No. 2 in the Big 12 with 5.3 dimes per game.
> Included in that improved assist total was a season high 11 dimes vs. UMKC, helping the senior record his second career point-assist double-double.
> Hannah flashed his toughness vs. Maryland on Nov. 20 when he played with the flu and still managed 14 points and five dimes ... The Chicago native wasn't able to eat all day and spent the early portion of the second half in the locker room, but returned to score eight second-half points, leading MU to the win.
> Hannah broke out of an early offensive slump with 20 points vs. No. 11 Michigan State on Nov. 20 ... The consistent lead guard has reached double figures in 36-of-43 career games for MU.
> For his efforts, Hannah was named to the CBE Classic All-Tournament Team in Kansas City.
> Hannah scored a career high 28 points at Arkansas, marking the 10th 20-point effort of his career.
> Hannah recently dropped in 23 points vs. No. 3 Kansas in leading the Tigers to the near-upset win.
> In addition to his scoring numbers, Hannah's assist totals are on the rise ... When you factor in Hannah's 5.3 assists per game this year, the senior guard is actually accounting for 27.2 of Mizzou's 81.5 points per game (including assists on three-point field goals).
> Hannah's 5.3 assists are the second most in school history, behind the 5.8 dimes per game dished out by Anthony Peeler (1989-90).
> Hannah also has 100 assists and 36 steals on the year ... For his short career, Hannah has had five or more dimes 27 times (including 13-of-19 games this year) and multiple steals 29 times, which is no surprise since the 6-foot-1 senior was named the nation's ninth-best perimeter defender by Fran Fraschilla and ESPN.com.
> As you would expect, Hannah is a preseason candidate for the Bob Cousy National Point Guard of the Year Award.
> Not to be outdone, Keon Lawrence has reached double figures in 19 of his last 26 games, including a career-high tying 24 point at Texas Tech.
> Lawrence became the fifth Tiger to reach the 20-point plateau this season and continued his strong play vs. the Big 12 South ... In nine career games vs. "The South", Lawrence has reached double figures six times, including 24 points vs. Baylor, 18 points at Oklahoma State and the game-winning jumper vs. Oklahoma last season.
> Lawrence also dumped in 18 points in the win over No. 12/13 Texas ... At one point, Lawrence scored 10 consecutive points in the first half for the Tigers setting the stage for the upset win.
> Despite being just 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, Lawrence is third on the club at 4.1 rebounds per game, including five games of six or more boards. > The dynamic guard is also second on the team with 14 blocks.
> As was documented by the Kansas City Star, there are no "off days" for Lawrence, as he makes 1,000 shots each day the team is given off by head coach Mike Anderson.
> J.T. Tiller continues to be the team's top perimeter defender and ranks second on the team with 62 deflections this season.
> The Georgia native earned his first career start vs. Coppin State and responded with 10 points, three assists and two steals in 25 minutes.
> Tiller also reached double-figures vs. Illinois on Dec. 22, scoring 10 points in a career high 28 minutes.
> While his scoring totals are up, Tiller played some key defensive minutes late vs. Purdue, helping to hold the Boilermakers to just one field goal in the final 7:47 of the game en route to Mizzou's game-winning 24-4 run.
> Forming Mizzou's kamikaze line along with Tiller is senior forward Darryl Butterfield ... Butterfield leads the team with 14 charges drawn this year, while adding 16 steals in just 15.3 minutes per game.
> The Miami native has drawn multiple charges four times this season, including four vs. Maryland.
> Matt Lawrence poured in a career high 28 points on Dec. 30 at Mississippi State ... The 6-foot-7 guard hit 6-of-11 treys and tied a season high with six rebounds.
> Over his last 14 games, Lawrence has hit multiple treys in 10 of those contests.
> In fact, the St. Louis native has been at his best on the road throughout his career and his shooting 44.1 percent from beyond the arc (45-of-102) from three-point range away from Mizzou Arena.
> Leo Lyons has played much-improved basketball this season and has reached double-figures in nine of his last 12 contests.
> Lyons' has already reached double figures 11 times this season, surpassing the nine double figure games he enjoyed his first-two seasons combined.
> Lyons made his hometown return to Kansas City a special one, as he poured in career highs of 23 points and 11 boards in the 14-point Tiger win over Maryland.
> Lyons earned Player of the Game honors from Dick Vitale and Co. as he hit 8-of-11 shots and 7-of-11 free throws en route to his first career double-double.
> The 23 points made him the third different Tiger to top the 20-point plateau this year.
> Lyons also torched UMKC for 22 points on a career-best 10-of-12 shooing from the floor.
> Lyons recorded his second double-double of the year in the win over Purdue, chipping in 13 points and 10 rebounds ... Lyons ranks among the Big 12's leaders with those two double-dips.
> Lyons flashed his versatility vs. Western Illinois when the 6-foot-9, 240-pounder dished a career high six assists and recorded two steals ... Lyons has 24 assists, which is tops among Tiger post players.
> He just goes about his business quietly, but senior guard Jason Horton has dished out 56 assists compared to just 27 turnovers this season, to rank No. 4 in the Big 12 in assist-turnover ratio at 2.1-to-1.
> Horton now has 375 career dimes, which is No. 7 all-time in school history and the Dallas native needs just eight more assists to move into the MU career top five.
> Horton needs just six more assists to pass Mike Sandbothe (380) for sixth all-time.
> Horton is also closing in on the career top 10 in steals and needs 10 more thefts to tie Melvin Booker for No. 10 with 147.
> Although he's been known more for his defense and passing ability, Horton is averaging 11.3 points on 10-of-13 shooting (.769) in his last three home games, including a season high 16 points vs. Texas on Jan. 12, which was his highest scoring output since his freshman season.
> Senior forward Marshall Brown is closing in on 1,000 career points ... The Austin, Texas native currently has 838 tallies and needs 152 points to become the 38th member of the Mizzou 1,000-point club.
> The selfless senior was named team captain in December by teammates and coaches.
> The Texas product then earned his first start of the year vs. Coppin State and later scored a season high 14 points vs. his hometown Texas Longhorns in the Big 12 opener.
> Freshman Justin Safford graced ESPN's Top 10 Plays on Nov. 8 with his alley-oop slam vs. Missouri Western ... Safford checked in at No. 6.
> Safford enjoyed his most complete game at Mississippi State on Dec. 30, scoring four points and grabbing four boards in nine second-half minutes vs. the Bulldogs.
> Senior forward Vaidotas Volkus earned his first career start vs. Kansas and recorded career highs of eight points and two assists ... Volkus also hit 4-of-5 shots from the floor vs. the Jayhawks.
> The Lithuania native gave the Tigers a great first-half lift off the bench vs. Purdue, scoring five points and grabbing three boards in seven minutes ... For the game, Volkus played 11 minutes, which was his third-highest output this year.

About The Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado (9-9, 1-3 Big 12) hosts its second consecutive home game on Saturday following a 72-56 loss to Kansas State on Wednesday ... The Buffaloes have lost four of their last five, but did get a nice 55-51 win over Nebraska on Jan. 15 and are tied with the Tigers in the Big 12 standings at 1-3 ... Richard Roby leads CU with 16.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game ... The versatile senior is connecting on 37.9 percent of his shots from beyond the arc and leads three Buffs in double figures ... Marcus Hall is back for CU after missing the 2006-07 campaign and is second with 11.9 point and is tops with 72 assists ... Xavier Silas adds 10.9 points per contest.

Mizzou Series With Colorado
Missouri will look for its third consecutive win against Colorado following a two-game sweep last season ... Missouri is 92-52 all-time vs. the Buffs, but CU leads the series 33-27 in Boulder ... Over the last 10 meetings in Boulder, Colo., the Buffaloes own a 6-4 advantage ... Mike Anderson is 2-0 all-time vs. Colorado, but Saturday's contest will be his first meeting with new Colorado sideline boss Jeff Bzdelik.

With A Tiger Win ...
> The Tigers would earn their first road win of the year and first since winning 75-64 at No. 18 Oklahoma State in Stillwater on Feb. 17, 2007.
> The Tigers would also stop their current seven-game road losing streak.
> MU would stop its current three-game losing streak, which is its longest of the season.
> Missouri would have back-to-back wins in Boulder for the first time since the 2001-02 season.
> Overall, Anderson would improve to 119-61 in his six seasons as a head coach.
> Missouri would earn its 12th win of the year, moving within six victories of last season's 18-win mark.
> The Tigers would move to 30-19 all-time under Mike Anderson.

Hannah Tops 100-Assist Mark Yet Again
By topping the 100-assist mark for the second consecutive season, Stefhon Hannah has joined some select company among Tiger point guards.
> Hannah currently has 100 dimes this year and became just the seventh player in school history to record 100 assists in back-to-back campaigns. > Among those seven Tigers is teammate Jason Horton, who dished 103 assists as a freshman and 121 as a sophomore.
> Other Tigers to accomplish back-to-back 100 assist seasons are Larry Drew (1978-80), Lynn Hardy (1987-89), Anthony Peeler (1988-92) and Melvin Booker (1990-94).
> Hannah is also about to move into the single-season Top 10 for assists and needs just 24 more dimes to pass Jon Sundvold (123 in 1982-83) for 10th all-time.

20-Something: Tigers Have Five Players With 20-Point Games This Season
Keon Lawrence's career-high tying 24 points at Texas Tech made him the fifth Tiger to top the 20-point barrier this season ... Lawrence joined DeMarre Carroll, Stefhon Hannah, Matt Lawrence and Leo Lyons as other Tigers to reach 20 points this season.
> Mizzou is actually tied for the league lead with five different 20-point scorers ... Baylor, Kansas State and Texas have also had five different players reach 20-points this season.