Dec. 29, 2009
Columbia, Mo. -
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Mizzou Basketball News and Notes 2009-10
University of Missouri Tigers (9-3) vs.
University of Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos (7-5)
2009-10 Regular Season Game 13 - December 30, 2009 - Columbia, Mo.
Tip-off: 7 p.m. CST
Arena: Mizzou Arena - Columbia, Mo. (15,061)
TV: MSN - (Dan McLaughlin play-by-play; Jon Sundvold analyst)
Radio: Tiger Radio Network (Tom Ackerman play-by-play; Gary Link analyst)
Rankings: Mizzou: NV/NV, UMKC: NV/NV in Associated Press / USA Today Coaches polls
Series: Missouri leads 2-0 all-time; last - Missouri won 96-76 on Jan. 8, 2008
Coaches:
Missouri: Mike Anderson (Tulsa '82); 163-79 overall (8th season); 74-38 at Mizzou (4th)
UMKC: Matt Brown (Shippensburg, '94); 25-50 overall (3rd season); Same at UMKC
For Openers
> Missouri Basketball faces intrastate foe UMKC for the third time since the 2005-06 campaign on Wednesday, as the Tigers tackle the Kangaroos at 7 p.m. inside Mizzou Arena ... Missouri is 2-0 vs. the 'Roos, including a 96-76 win inside Mizzou Arena on Jan. 8, 2008, Mike Anderson's second season.
> Missouri recently equaled a season high four game winning streak on Sunday vs. Austin Peay ... A win by the Tigers Wednesday would be the club's fifth consecutive since a 60-59 last-second loss at Oral Roberts on Dec. 9 ... During Missouri's current four-game surge the Tigers are outscoring opponents by 24.3 points per game, own four double-figure wins and are shooting 48 percent from the floor and 44 percent from three-point range ... In fact Missouri's top four scorers during this surge are all underclassmen, Kim English (21.3), Michael Dixon (12.8), Marcus Denmon (9.8) and Laurence Bowers (9.3).
> Of course you can't talk winning streaks without mentioning Missouri's 26-game streak inside Mizzou Arena, which dates back to the home finale of the 2007-08 campaign against Iowa State … The Tigers rank #4 nationally with regards to home court winning streaks, just one game behind #3 Dayton who has won 27 consecutive ... Pittsburgh is #2 with 29 straight and Kansas leads the country in consecutive home wins with 50 ... Missouri needs three more home wins to move into a tie for second place for the longest home winning streak (29) in school history.
> The Tigers also own a 44-game non-conference home court winning streak, which dates back to the 2005-06 campaign ... That 44-game run is a school record, topping the 29 consecutive non-conference home wins from 1979-83 ... That streak ended with an overtime loss to Marquette ... Missouri's last non-conference loss at home came against Sam Houston State in the 2005-06 season opener.
> Mizzou has one of the nation's youngest teams this year with 11-of-13 players in their first or second season playing for Mike Anderson ... The Tigers are getting more than half of their 83.2 points per game from the sophomore class alone ... The second-year Tigers are logging 45.4 points per game ... If you add the freshman class, Mizzou is getting 68 percent of its scoring (57.3 ppg) and 54 percent of its assists (10.3 apg) from underclassmen this season.
> In a roster oddity, Missouri actually has more Kansas City natives than the Kangaroos this season ... The Tigers have four KC natives, sophomores Marcus Denmon, Steve Moore and Jarrett Sutton and freshman Michael Dixon ... Denmon, Moore and Dixon actually played AAU basketball with UMKC's Michael Gholston for the Kansas City Pump N Run ... Missouri's Kansas City Tigers are averaging a combined 23.2 points and Denmon and Dixon both rank among team leaders in scoring and three-point shooting.
Mizzou Quick Hitters
> Missouri looks to remain undefeated at home on Wednesday as the Tigers face UMKC at 7 p.m. inside Mizzou Arena.
> Tiger fans just a reminder that you can receive complementary parking in Lot M during Holiday Break games ... This offer is limited to the first 250 spots, so come early and bring a friend!
> The Tigers have handled their business nicely over the years against teams from Missouri... Mizzou is 144-56 all-time vs. opponents from the Show-Me State... Not included in this mark are exhibition wins, however the Tigers will have a chance to add to that mark against UMKC.
> Missouri has been downright inhospitable at home this year ... Missouri is 7-0 with a +33.6 ppg scoring margin inside Mizzou Arena ... The Tigers are also shooting 52 percent from the floor, 45 percent from three-point range and are turning teams over 22.3 times a game.
> Mizzou has been very good in non-conference games under Mike Anderson ... The Tigers are 43-12 (.782) since his arrival before the 2006-07 season.
> In fact if you dig a little deeper, Missouri has enjoyed double-figure margins of victory in 33-of-37 non-conference home games under Mike Anderson (37-0).
> Missouri has 155 total thefts on the year and ranks #2 nationally with 12.9 steals per game, trailing only Syracuse (13.4 spg) ... Last season through 12 games Missouri had 133 steals ... If you recall, MU broke the Big 12 Conference record with 388 total steals in 2008-09 and this year's club is in position to break that total again in 2010.
> Did you know, the Tigers actually turn their opponent over 29 percent of the time during a game, meaning nearly one out of every three defensive possessions ends in a turnover ... Only Army has a higher percentage this season ... Army turns its opponent over 29.9 percent of the time on defense.
> One thing Tiger fans are enjoying this season is points off turnovers ... Missouri averaged 21.2 points per game off turnovers last season and forced one turnover every four possessions ... So far this season Missouri is forcing 21.5 turnovers per game and is averaging 28.5 points off those opponent miscues.
> Missouri continues to be one of the country's elite passing teams in 2009-10 ... One year after leading the nation in assists per game (18.4), the Tigers are dishing 18.3 dimes a contest this year ... MU has nine players with double-figure assist totals and as a team MU is registering dimes on 61 percent of its hoops (220 assists on 362 baskets).
> Missouri has topped 20 assists five times, including 28 dimes in the 106-69 win against Oregon.
> It's certainly early, but the Tigers sport excellent depth on their roster ... Nine different players have reached double figures in scoring and 10 different Tigers are averaging at least 11.0 minutes per game ... In addition, that depth fuels Missouri's pressure and has allowed the Tigers to reach double figures in steals in 10-of-12 contests, including a school record 24 thefts vs. Chattanooga on Nov. 24.
> Missouri continues to be outstanding at the free throw line this season ... The Tigers are hitting at a 73.0 percent clip on the year, compared to 67.2 percent shooting last season.
> It's hard to argue with the production of Missouri's bench ... The Tigers are getting 35.1 of their 83.2 points per game from the reserves ... Missouri's bench has actually outscored their starters three times this season and are outscoring their opposition's bench 35.1-to-14.4.
> Mizzou has had a double-figure scorer off the pine in nine games this season, including a season high three players in the win against Oregon.
> One thing about Mike Anderson's clubs, they are built for the long haul ... Over his tenure “Coach A's” teams have averaged 26.5 points per game off the bench... That's over 112 career games.
> It's nothing new to have the reserves outscore the starters either ... Including three games this season, the reserves have dropped in more tallies than the “initial five” 15 times (in 112 games) in Anderson's tenure ... It just goes to show you, when the man says he has eight or nine starters, it means he has eight or nine starters!
> With the Tigers' improved backcourt depth the team is averaging 12.9 steals per game on the season, including a school-record total (24 steals) vs. Chattanooga on Nov. 24.
> Missouri has typically played some tough schedules over the years and that trend will continue in 2009-10 ... Mizzou has 14 games against teams that have been ranked / receiving votes in the Top 25 this season ... Included in that list are some impressive non-conference games (all away from home) against, Illinois, Old Dominion and Richmond.
> In fact, of the potential 14 games vs. those highly-touted clubs only five will come at Mizzou Arena.
Tiger Tidbits
> J.T. Tiller has earned mention on virtually every preseason All-Defensive Team in 2009-10 … Tiller is of course the reigning Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Big 12 Conference and was named to All-Defensive Teams by Sports Illustrated and ESPN prior to the start of his senior season.
> Tiller has been hobbled by a bone bruise in his left foot, but has still reached double figures in 6-of-9 games played.
> Tiller has twice notched seven assists in a game, including seven dimes at Vanderbilt and seven in a win against Old Dominion ... He recently dished five assists and scored 12 points in the win against Illinois.
> The Marietta, Ga., native has 258 career assists and needs just 72 dimes this year to move into the career Top 10.
> He also owns 126 career steals and 25 more thefts would push him into the Top 10 in that category as well, surpassing former teammate Jason Horton (2004-08), who had 150 … In fact his career steals per game average of 1.2 already ranks in Mizzou's career Top 10.
> Zaire Taylor has been one of America's top defensive players so far in 2009-10 and leads the Big 12 and ranks among the Top 30 nationally with 2.3 steals per game this season.
> Taylor ripped a career high seven steals vs. Fairleigh Dickinson in just 18 minutes of action ... Taylor was in the game for 31 defensive possessions and stopped FDU 26 percent of the time with either a steal or a blocked shot.
> The seven steals are tops in the Big 12 this year, tied the Mizzou Arena record and are the second most in school history ... Had he played all 40 minutes vs. the Knights he was on pace to record 15.6 steals in the game.
> Not only is Taylor excellent at swiping the basketball, he is one of the country's best at protecting the rock as well ... Last year he ranked among the Top 5 nationally with a 3-to-1 assist/turnover ratio.
> Taylor has wasted little time picking up his assist totals this year and has dished 35 dimes while committing just 13 turnovers in his last 11 games.
> Not only do Taylor and Tiller form one of America's best backcourts, but the pair is incredibly visible in the community and volunteered with the Children's Miracle Network Radiothon, which supports the University of Missouri Children's Hospital ... The duo answered phones on the phonebank and made special visits to patients.
> Laurence Bowers is one of Missouri's most efficient players this season and is fourth on the team in scoring (9.6), second in rebounding (5.6) and tops in blocked shots (1.7) in 19.8 minutes a game.
> The Memphis native has blocked at least one shot in 10-of-12 games this season, including a career high four swats in the win against Austin Peay.
> Bowers has reached double figures five times this season and continues to be one of the team's most efficient players shooting 58 percent from the floor, while hitting two of three three-point field goal attempts.
> Bowers was a rebounding menace in the South Padre Island Invitational and was named to the All-Tournament Team for his production.
> Bowers tied a career high with 16 points in the season-opener and has set career highs in rebounding, steals and blocked shots already this season.
> Don't be surprised by Bowers' efficiency ... That's part of his game ... The Memphis native maximizes his minutes played ... Last season as a freshman he was the team's most efficient rebounder and shot-blocker in just 6.9 minutes a game.
> Kim English leads Missouri with 10 double figure scoring games this season, including six 20-point efforts.
> English has scored 20+ in three of his last four games, including 24 tallies in the win against Illinois and 23 more vs. Austin Peay.
> He also grabbed a career high six rebounds and ripped two steals vs. the Fighting Illini ... English has at least one steal in 11-of-12 games this season, including 11 steals in his last four contests.
> English is averaging 21.3 points over his last four games on 15-of-30 (.500) three-point shooting and 29-of-57 (.509) shooting from the floor.
> English was named the Big 12's Player of the Week on Dec. 28 after leading the team to wins against Illinois (24 points) and Austin Peay (23 points).
> Marcus Denmon is nearly full strength after off-season knee surgery and has reached double figures six times this year.
> Denmon has been one of Mizzou's most consistent scorers with those six double-figure efforts and has tied his career high with 17 points four times this season.
> Denmon currently ranks among the Big 12 leaders in three-point field goals per game (2.3) and three-point percentage (.443).
> Fans will notice a slimmed down version of Steve Moore this year … Since his arrival Moore had dropped 40 pounds and has now began to regain the weight in the form of muscle … Moore credits Associate Director of Strength and Conditioning David Deets with adjusting his eating habits, allowing the “Extreme Makeover”.
> Moore turned that weight loss into production, as he has recorded career highs in virtually every statistical category this season.
> Michael Dixon has been one of the Big 12's top freshmen this season and is averaging 9.2 points on 48 percent shooting this year.
> The Kansas City native is second in the Big 12 with a 3.4-to-1 assist/turnover ratio and owns a 6-to-1 ratio over his last seven games.
> In fact Dixon has been especially tough during Missouri's four-game win streak, averaging 12.8 points and 4.3 assists in four starts ... He is also averaging just 0.8 turnovers during the run while shooting 56 percent from the floor.
> Dixon was recently named the Big 12's Newcomer of the Week on Dec. 28, the first league honor of his young career.
About The UMKC Kangaroos
Missouri-Kansas City will be on a quick turnaround after playing Monday evening at SIU-Edwardsville ... The Kangaroos are 7-5 on the year following their 63-54 win in Edwardsville ... The Roos are led by Jay Couisnard in both scoring and assists ... The Wichita State transfer is averaging 14.2 points and 2.4 dimes a game for Head Coach Matt Brown's club ... LaTreze Mushatt is second in scoring at 11.5 points, while Trey McKinney-Jones is in double figures with 11.3 tallies ... The 'Roos have been a good defensive club this season holding foes to just 64.9 points per game and are logging 7.5 steals per night.
The Series With UMKC
Missouri is meeting UMKC for the third time in series history and for the third time in the last five seasons ... Missouri is 2-0 vs. the Kangaroos, including a 96-76 win in Columbia on Jan. 8, 2008 ... Both of the previous meetings have come at Mizzou Arena.
Tigers In The National Rankings
Missouri is again ranking among the national leaders in several statistical categories ... Below is a quick rundown of how the Tigers rank.
Category Avg / Ntl Rk Leader / Avg
Assists 18.3 / #9 Syracuse / 22.5
Scoring Mar. 19.9 / #8 Kansas / 30.5
Steals 12.9 / #2 Syracuse / 13.5
T/O Margin +7.8 / #2 Houston / 10.6
3FGs Per/G 9.3 / #14 VMI / 13.4
3FG % 41.8 / #21 Columbia / 47.4
Blocks 5.5 / #21 UConn / 9.6
Scoring 83.2 / #23 VMI / 94.0
English, Dixon Sweep Big 12 Honors
A pair of Missouri Tigers earned recognition from the Big 12 Conference this week, as sophomore guard Kim English and freshman point guard Michael Dixon were named the league's Player and Newcomer of the Week (respectively) on Dec. 28.
> English led Missouri to two victories over Illinois and Austin Peay, averaging 23.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game ... The 6-foot-6 guard shot 50 percent (8-of-16) from three-point distance and 55.2 percent (16-of-29) from the floor.
> Dixon averaged 14.0 points, 4.5 assists, 3.5 steals and just 0.5 turnovers in two starts ... The Kansas City native was magnificent in Missouri's win against Illinois, scoring a career high 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting ... He later dropped in 12 points and ripped a career high four steals vs. Austin Peay.
The Future Is Bright For Mizzou
Missouri's freshmen and sophomores are scoring 57.3 points per game for the Tigers this season, which accounts for 69 percent of the team's 83.2 total points per outing.
> Those 57.3 points ranks second in the Big 12 this year and becomes incredibly promising since MU is welcoming the nation's #7 overall recruiting class in 2010-11.
> Kansas leads the Big 12 in underclassmen scoring at 58.9 points per game, while the Oklahoma Sooners rank third with 55.7 tallies a night.
With A Tiger Win ...
> Missouri would improve to 10-3 on the season and move to 75-38 all-time under Mike Anderson.
> Overall, Anderson would improve to 164-79 in his eight seasons as a head coach.
> The Tigers would enjoy a season high five-game winning streak.
> Mizzou would improve to 44-12 vs. non-conference foes under Anderson, which would include wins over Illinois, USC, California, Purdue, Maryland, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Davidson, Oregon, Memphis, Marquette and Old Dominion.
> Would push their home court winning streak to 27 games and their non-conference home winning streak to 45.
Congrats To Mizzou's Graduate, Zaire Taylor
Congratulations are in order for senior guard Zaire Taylor … The Staten Island, N.Y., native graduated Dec. 19 the same day the Tigers took on Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Mizzou Arena … In fact Missouri Basketball pushed up its normal shoot-around time allowing Taylor to walk across the stage to receive his diploma in Sociology.
Sweet English
Kimmie English has been much more than a scorer for Missouri over the Tigers' current four-game winning streak ... While he is averaging a team-best 21.3 ppg during the run, he has also provided improved rebounding and defense.
> Defensively, English has multiple steals in each of the last four games, including a career high four rips in the win against Fairleigh Dickinson.
> He has also been an improved rebounder, highlighted by his career high six boards in the win against Illinois.
> Offensively English credits improved shot selection for his elevated scoring totals, as he is shooting 15-of-30 from three-point range and 29-of-57 (.509) from the floor.
> During this offensive surge English has enjoyed three 20-point efforts and narrowly missed a fourth with 18 points in 25 minutes in the win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff ... Two of those 20-point nights (24 vs. Illinois and 23 vs. Austin Peay) helped English earn Big 12 Player of the Week honors on Dec. 28.
Old Skool, New School
Michael Dixon brings an old skool flair to his new school of Mizzou, as the freshman is averaging incredibly consistent numbers of 9.2 points, 3.1 assists and 1.2 steals this season for the Tigers ... While the rookie thrives in the open floor, the “throwback” guard is most comfortable unleashing his array of floaters and mid-range jumpers on opponents.
> Dixon has stepped his game up to another level over the last seven games, as the Kansas City native is averaging 10.6 points, 3.4 assists and 1.7 steals for the Tigers ... The 6-foot-1 guard has also turned the ball over just four times in those seven games and has a 6-to-1 assist/turnover ratio during that span.
> Dixon was recently named the Big 12's Newcomer of the Week on Dec. 28 after leading the Tigers to wins against Illinois and Austin Peay.
Rip City
Mike Anderson has his youngest team as a head coach with 11-of-13 players in just their first or second year of competition in the program, but he also may have his fastest club at Mizzou yet to date … The Tigers are averaging an outstanding 12.9 steals per game this season, which ranks #2 nationally behind only Syracuse (13.4) … Those 12.9 “Rips” per game are the most ever at MU through 12 contests.
Year Steals SPG
2006-07 146 12.2
2007-08 125 10.4
2008-09 133 11.1
2009-10 155 12.9
The Good Tigers Giveth ...
As a basketball team, Missouri is about as unselfish as it comes ... The Tigers are averaging an impressive 18.3 assists per game, which is No. 9 nationally and have a 1.3-to-1 assist/turnover ratio as a team.
... And Taketh Away
Missouri has no issues creating turnovers once again this season as they produce 21.5 turnovers a night and average 12.9 steals (No. 2 nationally) ... Missouri is averaging 28.5 points a game off turnovers and scores 35 percent of its points off opposition throwaways ... In fact Missouri forces a turnover on 30 percent of its defensive possessions.
Trey-Mendous Shooting
With an array of improving young guards Missouri has one of its best perimeter shooting teams in school history (with all due respect to the teams playing before the implementation of the three-point line) … The Tigers are shooting 41.8 percent from three-point land this year (#15 nationally), including a remarkable 44.9 percent as a team within the friendly confines of Mizzou Arena.
> Mizzou has made double-figure treys in six games this year, with a season high of 18 coming in the 99-56 win against Chattanooga … The 18 treys were a Mizzou Arena record and the second most in school history, just behind the 20 three-pointers Mizzou hit at Colorado on Feb. 23, 2002.
> Mizzou recently connected on 10 treys against Illinois at the annual Braggin' Rights Game in St. Louis and 10 more in the win against Austin Peay.
Denmon Delivering
Marcus Denmon has continued to be one of the club's most improved players and is one of the Big 12's hottest shooters hitting 18-of-37 treys over his last six contests.
> Denmon has tied his career high of 17 points three times in his last six contests, dropping in 17 in games vs. Oregon, Oral Roberts and Austin Peay.
> Denmon is now second on the team in scoring at 10.7 points per game and ranks fourth in the Big 12 in three-point field goal percentage (.443) and sixth in three-point makes per game (2.3).
> Over his last six outings the Kansas City native is shooting 26-of-57 from the floor, 18-of-37 from three-point range, tops all Tiger guards over the last six contests.
Balancing Act
Mike Anderson calls Missouri the “Ultimate Team” and MU's incredible balance perfectly illustrates his point.
> The Tigers have had nine different players tie or share for the team lead in assists this season.
> MU has had seven different players tie or share the team lead in steals.
> Five different players have led the club in rebounding and four different players have led the club in scoring.
> And last but not least the Tigers have enjoyed incredible balance in playing time, which will pay huge dividends with experience down the road, as eight different players average at least 18.6 minutes per game.
Mizzou Arena - Now A Home Court
With Missouri Basketball unleashing the Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball and the Tiger crowds responding, Mizzou Arena is now one of the nation's toughest homecourt venues ... Missouri ranks #4 nationally with its active 26-game homecourt win streak, one game behind Dayton for third place for consecutive home wins.
> Kansas leads the nation with 50 consecutive home wins, while Pittsburgh (29) ranks #2.
> The MU record for homecourt wins is 34, which was set during the 1988-90 seasons ... The 1980-82 teams won 29 consecutive, while the 1974-76 teams won 23 in a row.
All-Time Mizzou Basketball Homecourt Winning Streaks
1. 1988-90 34
2. 1980-82 29
3. 2007-09 26
4. 1974-76 23
5. 1919-21 22
6. 1987-88 21
Here Come The Men In Block
It's early, but Missouri's front line of Keith Ramsey, Justin Safford, Laurence Bowers and Steve Moore are blocking shots and a pretty high rate ... MU already boasts 66 blocked shots through 12 games and can begin looking towards the school record books for most blocks in a single season ... Since Mike Anderson's arrival at MU the high for swats in a year is 140, set in 2008-09 ... The school record is 154 set during the 2001-02 campaign.
> Missouri is currently blocking 5.5 shots a night (fourth in the Big 12) and Bowers' 1.8 swats per game is fourth in the league ... Ramsey (1.1) ranks 13th overall, while Steve Moore is just outside the Top 15.
> Missouri had just 46 blocked shots last season through 12 games, so the 66 swats is well above that pace from last season.
Free Is Good
The season is only 12 games deep, but the Tigers appear much improved at the free throw line as the team is shooting 73.0 percent at the stripe.
> The 73-percent “free throwing” is the best since Mike Anderson's arrival in Columbia and would actually be the seventh highest percentage in school history.
> Missouri has shot better than 70 percent in 8-of-12 games this year and you would have to go back to 2003-04 (.709) to find the last Tiger team to top 70 percent at the line in a single season.
The Pine Is Fine
Missouri is known for having deep squads and the trend is continuing in 2009-10, as the Tiger reserves are averaging 35.1 points per game this season.
> Missouri enjoyed 45 bench points in the season-opening win before getting 57 points in the 100-44 triumph vs. Texas-Pan American ... Not to be outdone, the second wave dropped in 49 vs. Chattanooga and reached 50 points in the 106-69 win against Oregon.
> Tiger reserves have scored 421 of the team's 998 points this year and 10 different Tigers have reached double figures, highlighted by the three double figure scorers off the pine vs. Oregon.
> In his 112 games on the Tiger sidelines, the reserves have outscored Missouri's starters 15 times in Anderson's tenure, including three times already this season.
> Mizzou set a school record for bench production last season, averaging 27.0 ppg from its reserves ... The Tigers also broke the school record with 62 bench points in home wins against SIU-Edwardsville and Colorado last season.
Mizzou Arena - Home Sweet Home
Mike Anderson is a perfect 37-0 all-time in non-conference home games at Missouri ... Not only have the Tigers won 37 consecutive in non-league action, but they have done so in dominating fashion, sporting a 26.4 ppg margin of victory.
> The Tigers have played some impressive foes during Anderson's run as well, and own quality wins over Arkansas, California, Davidson, Oregon, Purdue, Murray State, Mississippi State and others during that 37-game stretch.
> Missouri has actually been more dominant at home than normal this year, owning a 33.6 ppg margin of victory, including a 56-point win against Texas-Pan American (100-44), which is the largest margin of victory in the history of Mizzou Arena, a 51-point win over Fairleigh Dickinson (87-36), a 43-point triumph against Chattanooga (99-56) and a 37-point win against Oregon (106-69).
Year Record Margin of Victory
2006-07 11-0 18.7 ppg
2007-08 9-0 27.5 ppg
2008-09 10-0 29.5 ppg
2009-10 7-0 33.6 ppg
Total 37-0 26.4 ppg.
Share The Wealth
Mike Anderson teams have always passed the ball well and since his arrival in Columbia, Mizzou has turned in some of its greatest assist seasons in school history, including leading the country in dimes in 2008-09 ... Missouri has continued that trend this season as the Tigers are averaging 18.3 assists per game, which is #9 nationally.
> The Tigers have topped 20 assists five times this year, including 28 assists in a 100-44 win against Texas-Pan American, 28 dimes against Oregon (106-69), 25 more assists against Chattanooga, 23 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson and 22 vs. Austin Peay (94-79).
> Missouri has dished 20 or more assists in 31-of-112 games during Anderson's tenure and the Tigers are an incredible 30-1 in those contests ... Missouri's lone loss with 20+ assists came in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament a year ago (21 vs. UConn) and the Tigers are 4-1 when dishing 20 dimes vs. ranked teams.