Mizzou Finishes Exhibition Play Friday
11/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 8, 2010
Columbia, Mo. -
Complete Release in PDF Format 
University of Missouri Tigers (1-0 EXH) vs.
Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions (0-2 EXH)
Tip-Off: 7 p.m.
Arena: Mizzou Arena (15,061)
TV: Mizzou Sports Network (Dan McLaughlin and Scott Highmark)
Radio: Tiger Radio Network (Mike Kelly - Play by Play / Gary Link - Analyst)
Rankings: Mizzou 15/15; Ark.-Fort Smith NR/NR in AP / USA Today Coaches Poll
Series: First Meeting
Coaches:
Missouri: Mike Anderson (Tulsa '82); 177-87 overall (9th); 88-46 at Mizzou (5th)
Arkansas-Fort Smith: Josh Newman (Arizona State '98) 79-43 overall (5th season)
For Openers...
> Missouri begins the 2010-11 campaign as a ranked program ... The Tigers are rated #15 in both the Associated Press and USA Today polls to start the year ... The Tigers are ranked in the preseason for the first time since 2003-04 ... Missouri opened the year #5 in 2003-04, the highest preseason ranking in school history ... Mizzou of course finished the 2008-09 season ranked inside the Top 10 after its run to the NCAA Elite Eight.
> Missouri Basketball continues preseason play on Friday as the Tigers face Arkansas-Fort Smith from the NCAA Division II ranks … The Tigers are a perfect 9-0 in exhibition games under Anderson and own a remarkable 43.2 ppg scoring margin in those nine wins.
> The 114 points scored by the Tigers in the exhibition opener would have been the most points ever scored in Mizzou Arena history and the eighth highest point total in program history.
> Although it's just preseason action and won't count, Missouri Basketball owns a 47-game non-conference home court winning streak, which dates back to the 2005-06 campaign ... That 47-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 Arena has been a terror dome for non-league opponents during the Mike Anderson era... In running their record to 40-0 (under Mike Anderson), the Tigers are averaging a 26.6 ppg. margin of victory vs. non-conference foes at home, including quality wins over Arkansas, California, Davidson, Mississippi State, Murray State, Oral Roberts and Purdue … That figured is nearly doubled to the aforementioned 43.2 ppg margin in exhibition games.
> Missouri will once again have each of its games televised this season thanks to its partnership with Mizzou Sports Network, ESPN, The Big 12 Network and CBS ... All 31 regular-season games and both exhibition games will be carried on live television and at least 30 of those 31 games will be carried nationally on ESPN Fullcourt.
Mizzou Quick Hitters
> Missouri Basketball concludes preseason play on Friday as the Tigers host Arkansas-Fort Smith at 7 p.m. … The Tigers are flawless in preseason play under Mike Anderson, going 9-0.
> Missouri has averaged 96.4 points per game in exhibition games under Anderson, including 114 points in last Friday's 54-point victory … The 114 tallies are the most for an Anderson team in the preseason … Missouri scored 113 points vs. Missouri Western in 2007-08.
> The Tigers are playing their first of three opponents from the state of Arkansas … Missouri will also face Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Nov. 28 and Central Arkansas on Dec. 18.
> Many teams across the country will open their regular-seasons this week, but Missouri doesn't begin until Nov. 18 vs. Western Illinois … While the Tigers may get a later start to the year, the club will open with a flurry of games, playing four times in just six days, including two games in Mexico in the Cancun Challenge.
> That trip south of the border will be the first-ever regular season games played by Missouri outside the country … Missouri did of course play three exhibition games in Canada over Labor Day 2008.
> Missouri was excellent at the foul line last Friday, hitting 34-of-44 free throws in the win … The Tiger post players accounted for much of that success, hitting 28-of-36 charity shots, paced by a 13-of-14 effort from junior Laurence Bowers.
> Missouri has typically played some tough schedules over the years and that trend will continue in 2010-11 ... With the preseason polls being released last week, Mizzou will have 12 games against teams ranked / receiving votes in the preseason Top 25 ... Included in that list are some impressive non-conference games vs. Old Dominion and Vanderbilt at home, neutral site games vs. #13 Illinois, #21 Georgetown, Wyoming and Providence/La Salle and a road game at Oregon.
> Missouri got some love in the preseason polls this year, checking in at #15 in both Top 25 ledgers ... Mizzou was #32 in the ESPN / USA Today Coaches Poll and #45 in the Associated Press Poll last season at this time.
> FoxSports.com's Jeff Goodman gave the Tigers some preseason hype as well, picking Anderson's club #9 in his preseason poll.
> Sports Illustrated thought highly of Missouri's backcourt depth and pegged the MU guards #13 nationally as a position group.
Tiger Tidbits
#1 Phil Pressey, 5-10, 168 Pounds
> Phil Pressey enters the Missouri program has the highest-ranked recruit of the Mike Anderson era, rated as high as #16 nationally by 2K Sports.
> Pressey put on a great display in his debut scoring 12 points, but more importantly dishing seven assists with just one turnover in 24 minutes.
> The quick, explosive guard is a true point for the Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball and brings a team-oriented approach to the lineup.
> Pressey dished a game high nine assists in the Black & Gold Game, while scoring 16 points in a winning effort.
> His older brother Matt Pressey is a junior on this year's club and his father, Paul Pressey, is currently an assistant coach for Byron Scott and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
#2 Ricky Kreklow, 6-6, 195 Pounds
> Ricky Kreklow became the third consecutive Mr. Basketball in the state of Missouri to ink with the Tigers.
> Kreklow made an impressive debut vs. Harris-Stowe, scoring nine points on a trio of three-pointers, while dishing two dimes and ripping a game high four steals.
> The talented newcomer is the son of current Missouri Volleyball head coach Wayne Kreklow and is a local product that grew up watching the Tigers.
> He was named the MVP of the Demetrius Johnson All-Star game in St. Louis this June after scoring 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting.
> Kreklow flashed his versatility in the Black & Gold Game, where he scored 17 points on 5-of-7 three-point shooting to go with eight assists and four steals.
#3 Matt Pressey, 6-2, 185 Pounds
> The Elmers Glue of this year's club and is out of the same mold as a J.T. Tiller and Zaire Taylor with his blue-collar mentality.
> Made the start in the exhibition opener for the injured Marcus Denmon and dished three assists and ripped three steals in 21 minutes.
> Was a junior college All-American at Navarro College last year, joining fellow Tiger Ricardo Ratliffe on that first team squad.
> His younger brother Phil Pressey is a freshman on this year's club and his father, Paul Pressey, is currently an assistant coach for Byron Scott and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
#10 Ricardo Ratliffe, 6-8, 240 Pounds
> Highly-coveted big man out of Central Florida College, that was twice named a first team NJCAA All-American.
> Recorded a double-double in his debut with 15 tallies and 10 boards … Showed a soft shooting touch at the line, hitting 9-of-12 shots.
> Counting the Black & Gold Game Ratliffe is an outstanding 17-of-23 (.739) at the charity stripe and was just one rebound shy of back-to-back double-doubles (nine boards in Black & Gold).
> One of only 13 players in NJCAA history to be named back-to-back first team All-American.
> Named the Big 12's Preseason Newcomer of the Year by the league coaches.
> Broke the Central Florida school record with 1,653 points over two seasons.
> Had his junior college jersey (#20) retired at the school's season-opener this year.
> Made a huge splash in his Black & Gold debut, scoring 32 points and grabbing nine rebounds.
#11 Michael Dixon, 6-1, 180 Pounds
> Another efficient Tiger in the preseason opener, scoring 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while dishing three assists with zero turnovers.
> Returning sophomore that made eight starts as a rookie last year.
> Scoring point guard that ranked among Big 12 freshmen leaders with 7.5 points per game.
> Top returning assist man from last season with 55 dimes and just 32 turnovers.
> Played huge in some big games for Mizzou, scoring a career high 16 points in the win over Illinois, 13 vs. Texas and 15 vs. West Virginia in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
#12 Marcus Denmon, 6-3, 185 Pounds
> Sat out the exhibition opener as a precaution with a right shoulder strain … Is listed as day-to-day for the Tigers.
> Returning Academic All-Big 12.
> Big 12 All-Reserve Team last year as a sophomore. > Led the club in three-point shooting percentage last season at 40.7 percent with 68 makes.
> Ranked second on the team in scoring at 10.4 points per game and will give the Tigers another big guard to replace Zaire Taylor and J.T. Tiller.
> Is back to full strength after suffering a knee injury as a freshman ... He fought through soreness in that knee for much of his sophomore campaign.
#21 Laurence Bowers, 6-3, 185 Pounds
> Opened his highly-anticipated junior season with a game high 23 points thanks to 13-of-14 free throw shooting … Those free throw numbers would have been a career high if not for the exhibition tag.
> Named to the Big 12's All-Reserve Team, but finished his sophomore year with six consecutive starts.
> Tore ligaments in his wrist down the home stretch of the 2009-10 campaign, but is fully healthy ... He will wrap his wrist however as a precaution.
> Named Academic All-Big 12 last year, as well as All-Reserve.
> Was one of the Big 12's most improved players going from 3.2 ppg as a freshman to 10.2 points and 5.7 rebounds as a sophomore.
> Needs just eight more blocked shots to move into Missouri's career Top 10 ... Currently has 61 swats.
#23 Justin Safford, 6-3, 185 Pounds
> Is healthy after undergoing off-season ACL surgery ... Injured his knee on Feb. 24 vs. Colorado, but worked incredibly hard throughout his rehabilitation and is back to near full strength.
> Narrowly missed a double-double in the exhibition debut, scoring nine points, while grabbing a game high 12 boards in 17 minutes.
> Is the club's lone senior and enters this third year with the program, which includes 70 wins during that stretch.
> Averaged 8.6 points and 4.1 rebounds as a junior, but averaged 9.9 points in Big 12 play before his injury.
> Made a return to live action in the Black & Gold Game where he recorded a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double on 7-of-11 shooting.
#24 Kim English, 6-6, 200 Pounds
> Was incredibly efficient in the exhibition opener, scoring 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting in 20 minutes … Connected on 4-of-6 three-pointers.
> Returning all-Big 12 Third Team from last year after pacing the club in scoring and tying for the team lead with 68 three-point makes.
> Was the first sophomore to earn all-Big 12 for the Tigers since Kareem Rush.
> Named to the Preseason Top 50 for the John Wooden Player of the Year Award.
> Named one of college basketball's top shooters by FoxSports.com's Jeff Goodman.
> Named one of college basketball's Top 15 wing players by CBS's Gary Parrish.
> Named honorable mention all-Big 12 this preseason by the league coaches ... The league just announces a first team on the preseason ballot.
> Is of course known for his tireless work ethic and wears #24 because he is thinking about the game of basketball 24 hours a day.
> Often sleeps in the locker room during the season, which allows him to workout during off-hours.
#32 Steve Moore, 6-9, 270 Pounds
> Gives Missouri a great defensive presence in the low post and finished his sophomore season with 17 blocks in his final eight games.
> Closed the year with at least one block in each of his last eight games.
> Spent a portion of the summer playing with Global Sports Academy in Europe.
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Brother tandems aren't necessarily rare at Mizzou, but very few brother tandems have played at the same time for the Black & Gold … Many Missouri fans remember the days of Slim & Slam (aka Sammie and Simeon Haley) and then there were Mike and Jerry Kirksey who played together one season (1957-58) and thanks to Gary Link for reminding us about the Minx twins, Beau and Charles, who played for MU in 1944, but now the Tigers have a new tandem of brothers, Matt and Phil Pressey.
> The Pressey brothers will get two seasons of play on the hardwood at Missouri and Matt enters the program after earning first team Junior College All-America honors at Navarro College in Texas, while Phil was one of the elite national recruits at the point guard position.
> To this point the most successful tandem (stats-wise) are the Haley Twins who each stood over 7-feet tall and played during the 1994-96 seasons … The duo combined to score 819 points, grab 541 rebounds and block 120 shots during their two seasons playing together.
> During 1957-58 the Kirksey brothers of Buffalo, Mo., combined to score 125 points, led by Mike, who averaged 5.4 points per night.
Stellar Debuts For Newcomers
Several Tiger newcomers made outstanding debuts in exhibition play last Friday vs. Harris-Stowe and as a group the first-year performers combined for 44 points, 23 boards, 12 assists and four blocks.
> Ricardo Ratliffe led the Tiger newcomers in points, rebounds and blocked shots, scoring 15 points, grabbing 10 boards and blocking four shots, while Phil Pressey scored 12 and dished seven assists with one turnover.
> Ricky Kreklow narrowly missed double figures in points with nine tallies on 3-of-5 three-point shooting, but also added two assists and a game high four steals.
When Is a Broken Record Not a Record
Of course exhibition games don't count in the records book, but the 114 points scored by the Tigers in the exhibition opener would have littered the Mizzou annals in a number of areas.
> The 114 points would have been the most points ever scored at Mizzou Arena … Currently the regular-season record for points is 107 set twice, initially vs. SIU-Edwardsville on Jan. 27, 2008 and once again vs. Colorado on Jan. 14, 2009.
> The 114 points would have also been the eighth highest scoring total in school history and most for MU since 117 tallies vs. Southern on Dec. 6, 2001.
> En route to those 114 points the Tigers were outstanding at the foul line … Missouri hit 34-of-44 free throws, which would have been an arena record as well … The existing mark is 33-of-43 vs. K-State on Feb. 25, 2009.
An Exhibition of Big Wins
Missouri has of course been dominating in exhibition victories and the Tigers continued that solid opening play vs. Harris-Stowe State, recording a 114-60 victory … Below is a list of Tiger exhibition contests and margins of victory under Mike Anderson's watch in Columbia.
Opponent Score Margin
Harris-Stowe State 114-60 54
NW Missouri St. 83-60 23
Truman State 96-33 63
Lincoln 97-54 43
Missouri Southern 87-58 29
Missouri-St. Louis 78-51 27
Missouri Western 113-55 58
Missouri-Rolla 105-67 38
Lithuania Academy 94-40 54
English Named to Wooden Top 50
Missouri junior guard Kim English was named a preseason candidate for the prestigious John R. Wooden Player of the Year trophy announced by The Los Angeles Athletic Club ... The Baltimore, Md., native led Mizzou in scoring last season averaging 14.0 points en route to all-Big 12 recognition.
> The list features 50 of the top players in college basketball who, based on last year's individual and team performances, are considered to be the early frontrunners for one of the top honors in college hoops this season ... Transfers and incoming freshmen are not eligible to for the preseason list, but can play their way into mid-season consideration for the honor.
> English's selection marks the second consecutive year a Tiger has made the Wooden Preseason ledger ... J.T. Tiller was a Top 50 nominee last year and helped the club to a 23-11 mark, which included a win in last year's NCAA Tournament.
Ratliffe Named Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year by the League Coaches
Forward Ricardo Ratliffe was named the Big 12 Conference's Preseason Newcomer of the Year by the league coaches ... It's the second time in Head Coach Mike Anderson's tenure that a player has earned the top newcomer billing in the preseason ... DeMarre Carroll earned the same honor before the 2007-08 campaign and went on to claim the postseason award as well.
> A 6-foot-8, 240-pound post player, Ratliffe adds tremendous size and strength to a strong returning nucleus at Mizzou … The Hampton, Va., native enjoyed a historic two-year career at the junior college level, earning back-to-back first team all-NJCAA All-America honors while setting school records for scoring (1,653 points) and rebounding (580) at Central Florida Community College ... Ratliffe was one of just 13 players in junior college history to be named first team All-America twice.
Tiger Ranked In Preseason
Missouri Basketball is entering the regular season as a ranked club for the first time since 2003-04 … Missouri was pegged #15 nationally in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Top 25 polls in October.
> Missouri was #5 nationally to open the 2003-04 campaign and have been ranked in the preseason 14 times before … The #15 national ranking is the ninth highest preseason ranking in school history … Mizzou of course finished the 2008-09 campaign #9 nationally en route to its NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance.
The Pine Is Fine
Missouri is known for having deep squads and the trend continued in 2009-10, as the Tiger reserves averaged 31.6 points per game last season.
> Tiger reserves scored 1,076 of the team's 2,627 points last year and nine different Tigers reached double figures off the bench.
> In Anderson's 134 games on the Tiger sidelines, the reserves have outscored Missouri's starters 19 times.
> Mizzou has broken the school record for bench production each of the last two years … Before last season's 31.6 ppg bench total, the club set the record in 2008-09 with 27.0 ppg ... The Tigers also broke the school record with 62 bench points in home wins against SIU-Edwardsville and Colorado in 2008-09.
College Basketball's Wins Over Last Two Years
Guess who is among college basketball's winningest programs the last two seasons? ... It's the Missouri Tigers ... Mizzou has won 54 games the last two seasons, the 12th highest win total in college hoops since the start of the 2008-09 campaign.
> Below is a list of the winningest programs over the last couple of seasons.
Team Wins
1. Duke 65
2. Kansas 60
3. Syracuse 59
4. Butler 58
5. Utah State 57
Memphis 57
Michigan State 57
8. Gonzaga 56
Purdue 56
10. Villanova 55
Pittsburgh 55
12. Mizzou 54
Mizzou Arena - Home Sweet Home
Mike Anderson is a perfect 40-0 all-time in non-conference home games at Missouri ... Not only have the Tigers won 40 consecutive in non-league action, but they have done so in dominating fashion, sporting a 26.7 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, Georgia, Oregon, Purdue, Murray State, Mississippi State and others during that 40-game stretch.
> Missouri was actually more dominant at home than normal last year, owning a 32.6 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 10-0 32.6 ppg
Total 40-0 26.7 ppg.
Ratliffe Gets Jersey Retired
Mizzou Basketball newcomer Ricardo Ratliffe returned to his junior college stomping grounds on Nov. 1 as Central Florida Community College retired his #20 uniform at the school's 2010-11 basketball season-opener.
> Ratliffe, named the Big 12 Conference Preseason Newcomer of the Year, had a historic two-year career in Ocala, Fla., where he left as the school's most decorated athlete ... He was twice named a first team NJCAA All-American at Central Florida Community College, first scoring 798 points as a freshman, before breaking his own school record with 855 points as a sophomore ... The Hampton, Va., native averaged a double-double during his two seasons in junior college and was named the National Junior College Athlete of the Year in 2010.
About Arkansas-Fort Smith
Arkansas-Fort Smith enters Friday's game 0-2 in preseason play, losing at Missouri State (86-61) and Tulsa (91-67) on consecutive nights last weekend ... Josh Simmons is the club's leading returning scorer after averaging 15.4 points last season as a junior ... Chris Williams and Kelson Stewart each reached double figures at Tulsa on Sunday night with Stewart scoring a team-best 13 points and Williams adding 11 ... Fort Smith also forced the Hurricane into 21 turnovers.
Black & Gold Recap
Tiger fans were treated to an offensive shootout in the annual Black & Gold Game on Oct. 28 as the Mizzou Black rallied to win 102-96 vs. the Mizzou Gold … Laurence Bowers led the Black team with 30 points and 12 rebounds, while Marcus Denmon (19) and Ricky Kreklow (17) combined for nine three-point makes.
> Ricardo Ratliffe led all scorers with 32 tallies in defeat … The junior college transfer hit 12-of-16 shots and 8-of-11 free throws while grabbing nine boards and dishing two assists … Kim English scored 22 points as well, while Michael Dixon added eight assists.
Winningest Three-Year Stretches at Mizzou
Missouri Basketball is looking to continue its impressive winning trend over the last two seasons, which has seen the club win 54 games since the start of the 2008-09 campaign ... The Tigers have won 20 games in back-to-back years, including a school record 31 wins during that run to the Elite Eight two seasons ago ... Missouri is just 21 wins shy of the winningest three-year stretch in school history ... Below are the school's top three-year win totals.
Pl. Years Wins
1. 1988-91 75
1980-83 75
3. 1987-90 74
1979-82 74
5. 1986-89 72
6. 2007-10 70
2008-Current 54
Moore's European Vacation
Well, not quite a vacation, but Missouri junior forward Steve Moore did have a chance to travel to Europe this summer and earn some valuable playing time with the Global Sports Academy ... The 6-foot-9 forward played five games in nine days in countries such as Belgium, France and Germany.
> Moore earned extended playing time as the 10-team roster was quickly cut down to six due to some late player cancellations.
> Moore estimated his averages to be around 7-8 points, better than 10 rebounds and 2.5 blocks over the five games for his team that went 4-1 ... He hit double figures in his club's lone loss, but enjoyed the experience of playing overseas and playing under the international (FIBA) rules.
> Moore roomed with Arizona State guard Trent Lockett on the trip and enjoyed taking in the sights of Europe with teammates such as Michael Santos of Santa Clara.
Bowers Throws First Pitch
Mizzou junior Laurence Bowers grew up loving the sport of baseball, but after starring on the mound for two prep seasons in Memphis, the 6-foot-8 forward shifted his focus to the hardwood and was one of the Big 12's most improved players as a sophomore, averaging 10.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and a team-best 48 blocked shots … Despite the success in hoops, Bowers is still fond of baseball and remains a loyal St. Louis Cardinals fan.
> That combination of hoops stardom and Cardinal reverence paid big dividends for Bowers on Sept. 3, as he was asked to throw out the first pitch before St. Louis' win against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium … Bowers made the most of his opportunity as well, throwing a curve ball for a strike to reserve Cardinal catcher Matt Pagnozzi … The pitch helped kickoff a huge Mizzou weekend in St. Louis as the Tiger Football team defeated Illinois the following day 23-13 at the Edward Jones Dome.
Preseason Big 12 Rankings
Missouri Basketball will look to exceed expectations for a third consecutive year … The Big 12 Coaches picked the Tigers fifth in the preseason poll after pegging Mizzou #7 the last two seasons … The Tigers were slotted seventh in 2008-09, but of course refuted that ranking by finishing third in the league standings, winning the Big 12's Tournament crown, advancing to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament and finishing with a school record 31 wins … Last year Mizzou was picked seventh again, but finished with 23 wins overall and 10 wins in the league … Mizzou finished just a game out of second place.
> Kansas State was pegged as the league's preseason favorite following by Kansas and Texas.
Team (First Place Votes) Points
1. Kansas State (10) 119
2. Kansas (2) 109
3. Texas 99
4. Baylor 96
5. Missouri 82
6. Texas A&M 69
7. Texas Tech 52
8. Oklahoma State 51
9. Colorado 46
10. Nebraska 31
11. Oklahoma 27
12. Iowa State 11
NBA Pedigree
Every basketball player has the dream of playing in the NBA and for three Tiger newcomers their fathers each reached that dream of playing basketball at the highest level … Brothers Matt and Phil Pressey and fellow newcomer Ricky Kreklow each come from an NBA background.
> Paul Pressey, now an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers, is widely considered the original point forward in the NBA and was named first or second team All-Defense in the league three times ... Pressey played for Milwaukee, San Antonio and Golden State in his career which spanned 1983-93 ... Pressey was of course a collegiate teammate with Head Coach Mike Anderson at the University of Tulsa, where they played for Hall of Famer Nolan Richardson.
> Wayne Kreklow, now Missouri's head volleyball coach, played for the World Champion Boston Celtics during the 1980-81 season ... The elder Kreklow played his collegiate basketball at Drake and was an All-American for the Bulldogs in 1980 and was named to the school's All-Century Team.
