Oct. 30, 2008

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Columbia, Mo. - Head Coach Mike Anderson Quotes

Opening Statement:
"First of all, I want to thank the fans for coming out...It was a night for fun. As I told them [the team] the Tigers won tonight. Of course now we will go back in the gym and get to work, but that was a fun night for our guys. Now we just have more pieces to that puzzle and we have to try and integrate those pieces together."

On Marcus Demmon's performance:
"I've seen him play, when you put some officials out there and some fans, he got on a roll and I think the good thing about that is our guys recognize it, even until the last shot was made. Matt Lawrence had a shot and he just passed it and he came off the floor just smiling and that's unselfish basketball. So there is going to be some nice work...I think the key is that our guys recognize that. He [Marcus Demmon] is one of those guys. He was a scorer in high school and we'll see. We still have a lot of work to do, but I like his mindset, his toughness."

On if Marcus Demmon plays with a 'chip on his shoulder:
"I think he wants to get better. As all freshmen come in, they want to prove to the coach...but I just like his mindset, his attitude, he's a guy that always asks questions and he wants to get better."

On the number of turnovers:
"These guys are excited; they want to show everyone what they can do. And now we have a chance to get them back in the gym and settle them down and maybe start playing somebody other than ourselves. We are going to be a team that continues to value the basketball and we are going to play at a fast pace, but the one thing we do, we value the basketball."

On the start of the 2008 season after the end of the 2007 one:
"It's refreshing to see some new faces and some guys that want to be Tigers and guys that are excited; I think we've got the chance to have some good players. Now we are molding that team."