Dec. 25, 2010
Columbia, Mo. -
Complete Release in PDF Format 
#9 / #10 University of Missouri Tigers (11-1, 0-0 Big 12) vs.
Northern Illinois University Huskies (3-6, 0-0 MAC)
Tip-Off: 7 p.m. CT
Arena: Mizzou Arena (15,061)
TV: MSN (Dan McLaughlin and Scott Highmark)
Radio: Tiger Radio Network (Tom Ackerman - Play by Play / Gary Link - Analyst)
Rankings: Mizzou 9/10; Northern Illinois NR/NR in AP / USA Today Coaches Poll
Series: First Meeting
Coaches:
Missouri: Mike Anderson (Tulsa `82); 188-88 overall (9th); 99-47 at Mizzou (5th)
N. Illinois: Ricardo Patton (Belmont `80) 212-226 overall (16th) 28-66 at NIU (4th)
For Openers...
> Mike Anderson goes for win #100 at Mizzou ... Coach Anderson came to Missouri on March 22, 2006, and has led his Tigers back into the Top 10 of the national polls and 65 wins since the start of the 2008-09 campaign ... Anderson is currently 99-47 all-time at Missouri and has his team on a season high six-game winning streak following its 75-64 win over Illinois in St. Louis.
> To build up his huge win totals Anderson's Tigers have enjoyed some lengthy winning streaks ... Mizzou has seven winning streaks of five or more games, including a pair of nine-game streaks ... Just 12 games into the 2010-11 season Missouri already has a five-game winning streak and this current six-game streak.
> Mizzou is off to its best start to a season under Mike Anderson ... The Tigers are currently 11-1 for the first time since 1991-92 ... His previous best record through 12 games was 10-2 back during the 2008-09 campaign.
> The Mizzou defense has really improved over the last four games ... The Tigers have held their opponents to 34.6-percent shooting from the floor, 27-percent shooting from three-point range and a 46-to-75 assist/turnover ratio ... It's no surprise that Mizzou has won each game by double-figures and boasts a +24.5 scoring margin during that stretch.
> Missouri has always been one of the country's better passing teams under Mike Anderson and that trend is continuing once again in 2010-11 ... Mizzou dished a season high 33 assists in the Dec. 18 win over Central Arkansas, which ties for the second most in school history and the most in the Big 12 this year ... Missouri then dished 18 assists on 26 buckets vs. Illinois ... MU is currently #2 in the Big 12 and #9 nationally with 18.3 dimes per game.
> Marcus Denmon continues to surge in his junior campaign ... The Kansas City native has been one of the country's best players in 2010-11 and is averaging a team-best 16.7 points per game this year, boosted by an average of 18.7 points per game over his last seven contests on 51 percent shooting from the floor and 45 percent shooting from three-point range ... More impressive stats for Denmon during that surge? Try 5.1 boards per game and 18 dimes compared to just five turnovers.
Mizzou Quick Hitters
> Missouri returns to action on Monday evening to face yet another team from the Land of Lincoln, Northern Illinois University.
> Tiger fans can purchase the Holiday 4-Pack, which is four upper level reserved seats for just $24 ... The ticket package is also available for the Dec. 30 clash with fellow NCAA Tournament foe Old Dominion.
> Missouri is 2-0 vs. teams from Illinois, opening the year with a win over Western Illinois, before the Dec. 22 Braggin' Rights win vs. Illinois.
> Missouri is once again one of the nation's highest scoring clubs in 2010-11, ranking #5 nationally at 85.0 points per game ... At home that number is up to 86.4 ppg.
> Mizzou is also #9 nationally in assists at 18.3 per game, so not only can the Tigers score in bunches, but they can do it with great efficiency, recording dimes on 60 percent of their hoops.
> Missouri is looking to continue its season high six-game winning streak ... A seventh win would be Missouri's longest run since a nine-game streak last season.
> Missouri is 4-0 under Mike Anderson in the game immediately after Christmas ... In fact MU is averaging a 32.0 ppg margin of victory in those games vs. Southern, Coppin State, SIU-Edwardsville and Austin Peay.
> The solid RPI stretch continues for Mizzou this week ... The Tigers have dispatched #17 Vanderbilt, #81 Presbyterian and #51 Illinois this month and face #14 Old Dominion on Dec. 30.
> Mizzou has been very good in non-conference games under Anderson ... The Tigers are 51-14 (.809), including four NCAA Tournament wins, since his arrival before the 2006-07 season.
> Turnovers are trending downward for Mizzou over the last five games ... The Tigers are averaging just 11.2 miscues per game during that stretch and have a +7.2 turnover margin (per game) in those contests ... In fact Mizzou's assist/turnover ratio is at an outstanding 1.8 during that run.
> Missouri is finding its offensive rhythm over the last seven games, shooting 52 percent from the floor, 42 percent from three-point range and 76 percent from the foul line ... Balance has been the operative word for MU, with five players averaging better than 11.5 points and seven averaging 6.4 or more.
> Missouri has been the ultimate team through 12 games ... The Tigers have had seven different players lead the team (or tie for the team lead) in scoring, four different players in rebounding, six in assists and seven in steals.
> Missouri has won in a variety of places this year ... The Tigers are 7-0 at home on the young season ... The Tigers also have four road/neutral wins this year ... The Tigers were just 2-3 in their first five games away from home last season and 3-2 in 2008-09.
> Mizzou has always been very good in November and December under Mike Anderson since the 2006-07 campaign ... MU is 27-5 in November and 24-8 in December, which includes wins over Old Dominion, #19 USC, Maryland, Arkansas, Davidson (with Stephen Curry), Purdue, Illinois, Oregon and Oral Roberts ... MU is a combined 51-13 (.797) before Jan. 1 under Anderson.
> Mike Anderson is just one win shy of 100 during his time at Missouri ... Anderson has 99 wins and 47 losses in Columbia, an excellent winning percentage of .678 ... Anderson won 89 games as well at UAB and has 188 career victories.
> Mizzou Arena has been a terror dome for non-league opponents during the Mike Anderson era... In running their record to 47-0 (under Anderson), the Tigers are averaging a 25.2 ppg. margin of victory vs. non-conference foes at home, including quality wins over Arkansas, California, Davidson, Mississippi State, Murray State, Oral Roberts, Oregon and Purdue.
> Overall Missouri owns a 54-game non-conference home court winning streak, which dates back to the 2005-06 campaign (pre-Mike Anderson era) ... That 54-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.
> Missouri is forcing one turnover for nearly every three opponent possessions this year (240 opponent turnovers compared to 677 opponent FG attempts).
> Last season Missouri led the nation by forcing turnovers on 30 percent of its opponent possessions.
> The Tigers have scored 268 points off of those 240 turnovers, a number that will increase as this new collection of players becomes more familiar with each other ... So far Missouri is averaging 22.3 ppg off of turnovers, including 41 points off turnovers vs. Central Arkansas.
> Bench production from the Tiger reserves is nothing new under Mike Anderson ... The Tigers ranked #2 nationally in bench scoring a season ago at 31.6 points per game and have averaged 27.3 points over Anderson's five years in Columbia!
> The Tigers are already averaging 26.4 ppg from their bench this season, including a season high 49 points vs. La Salle on Nov. 24.
> Another critical stat for Missouri is field goal opportunities ... Missouri thrives on its defensive pressure creating extra scoring chances and so far this season Missouri has taken 103 more shots than its opponents and made 87 more buckets.
> It's early, but Missouri has been good at defending the rim though 12 games, averaging 5.3 swats a contest ... Laurence Bowers (29) and Steve Moore (14) lead the way with a combined 43 total blocks.
> Missouri has typically played some tough schedules over the years and that trend will continue in 2010-11 ... With the preseason polls being released, Mizzou will have 13 games against teams ranked / receiving votes in the Top 25 ... Included in that list are some impressive non-conference games vs. Old Dominion and Vanderbilt at home, neutral site games vs. #19 Illinois, #14 Georgetown, Wyoming and 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.
> Goodman also put the Tigers in his Final Four in his early season projections.
> Sports Illustrated thought highly of Missouri's backcourt depth and pegged the MU guards #13 nationally as a position group.
Tiger Tidbits
#1 Flip Pressey, 5-10, 168 Pounds
> Nicknamed "Flip", but first name is Phil.
> Out for a couple weeks with a fractured right finger, which was suffered Dec. 19 during practice.
> Flip Pressey enters the Missouri program as the highest-ranked recruit of the Mike Anderson era, rated as high as #16 nationally by 2K Sports.
> The quick, explosive guard is a true point for the Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball and brings a team-oriented approach to the lineup.
> Ranked among Big 12 leaders in both assists per game (4.1) and assist/turnover ratio (1.9).
> Has dished 27 assists over his last three games (9.0 apg), including a Mizzou Freshman Record 11 dimes vs. Central Arkansas on Dec. 18.
> Recorded his first career double-double in that game as well with a career high 15 points.
> Those 11 dimes are the most by a Big 12 player this season.
> Is the Big 12's #1 freshman in assists at 4.1 per game.
> Is the first Missouri freshman to record 7+ assists in three consecutive games and is the first Tiger to accomplish the feat since Anthony Peeler back in 1989-90.
> Pressey showed some moxie in the season-opener against Western Illinois, sinking two free throws with just 1:26 remaining and the Tigers up just 58-57 after forcing a WIU turnover.
> 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.
> Scored a career high 11 points on 4-4 FGs and 3-3 treys vs. Central Arkansas on Dec. 18 ... Added a career high four boards and three steals as well.
> Has seen his playing time increase over the last two games and is averaging 6.3 points, 1.7 boards and 1.7 steals on 6-of-10 shooting.
> Hit 3-of-4 three-pointers in wins over Wyoming and La Salle, including a then career-best 2-of-3 treys vs. La Salle in the first half.
> 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.
#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.
> Sat out the Dec. 18 contest vs. Central Arkansas after taking an elbow to the face vs. Oral Roberts on the 16th.
> Has started three games at the guard position, including the Dec. 22 Braggin' Rights affair vs. Illinois.
> Is 19-of-40 from the floor over his last seven games as well (.475).
> Came off the bench to score nine points and dish three assists vs. Georgetown and his first career double-figure scoring night came at Oregon on Dec. 2 with 10 points and two assists in 22 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.
> Has been named Big 12 Rookie of the Week twice this season.
> Leads the club in rebounding (7.3) and double-doubles (3) ... Was on a run of four consecutive double-figure rebounding games before being held to seven boards vs. Georgetown.
> His 14 boards vs. La Salle are the most since DeMarre Carroll grabbed 14 vs. Kansas State on Feb. 25, 2009.
> Leads the team in field goal percentage (.64) and is second in scoring (12.3).
> Named to the Cancun Challenge All-Tournament team after averaging 11.0 points and 13.0 rebounds.
> One of only 13 players in NJCAA history to be named back-to-back first team All-American, which includes former UNLV standout Larry Johnson.
> 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.
#11 Michael Dixon, 6-1, 180 Pounds
> Career game in his return home to Kansas City vs. Georgetown, scoring a career-high tying 17 points to go with four assists and four steals.
> Father (Mike Sr.) left San Jose State as the school's all-time assist leader.
> Tops on the club in assists (4.5 apg) and tops in steals (2.3) this season, which includes 40 assists in his last eight games ... Also ranks #1 in the Big 12 in steals at 2.4 per game.
> Owns a 2.5-to-1 assists turnover ratio with 45 dimes and just 18 turnovers.
> Initially scored a career high 17 points, grabbed a career high six boards and dished six assists in the win vs. Wyoming on Nov. 23.
> Ripped a career high five steals vs. North Florida on Nov. 20.
> Returning sophomore that made eight starts as a rookie last year.
> Top returning assist man from last season with 55 dimes and just 32 turnovers.
#12 Marcus Denmon, 6-3, 185 Pounds
> Tough, gritty guard that was a football standout in high school as a wide out and defensive back.
> Reached double figures in nine consecutive games.
> Leads the team in scoring (16.7) and three-point field goal percentage (.470) ... Is third in the Big 12 Conference with his three-point accuracy.
> Has hit 17 of his last 33 treys over the last seven games and is 44-of-88 from the floor overall.
> Scored a career high 27 points on Nov. 30 vs. Georgetown on an efficient 10-of-12 shooting from the floor ... Hit 5-of-7 treys and 5-of-5 shots inside the arc ... Added six boards and two steals as well.
> Scored 19 second-half / overtime points in the win vs. Vanderbilt, including the game-winner with five seconds remaining.
> Has eight career 20-point efforts and Missouri is 7-1 in those games.
> Cancun Challenge MVP after averaging 15.0 points on 8-of-16 three-point shooting in two wins.
> Has 133 career three-pointers in his tenure, just 13 outside the Missouri all-time Top 10.
> Returning Academic All-Big 12.
> Big 12 All-Reserve Team last year as a sophomore.
> 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, 6-8, 210 Pounds
> Averaging 16.7 points and 4.0 blocked shots over his last three games.
> Leads the Big 12 in shot-blocking at 2.4 per game.
> Scored a season high 20 points on 8-of-9 FGs in the win over Central Arkansas.
> Outstanding game vs. Oral Roberts with 17 points, 6 boards and a career high five blocks.
> Has reached double figures in scoring eight times.
> Recorded his fourth career double-double vs. North Florida with 12 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes.
> Seventh in school history with 90 career blocked shots and needs five more to pass Gary Leonard (1986-89) who had 95 in his career.
> Named to the Big 12's All-Reserve Team, but finished his sophomore year with six consecutive starts.
> Tore ligaments in his left 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.
#23 Justin Safford, 6-9, 230 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.
> Incredible run of nine consecutive Missouri points vs. Illinois on Dec. 22 ... Finished the game with 11 points, three boards and two assists in 16 minutes.
> Averaging 10.0 points on 16-of-28 shooting (.571) over his last four games.
> Enjoyed an efficient day vs. Presbyterian, scoring a season-high 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting in 19 minutes ... Added six boards and a trey.
> Scored 11 points in the win vs. La Salle, including nine of the team's first 10 points ... Finished with six rebounds as well.
> Is the club's lone senior and enters his fourth year with the program, which includes 80 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
> Has reached double figures nine times this season and in seven of his last eight games.
> Is shooting 52 percent from three-point range (15-of-29) over his last five games.
> Terrific all-around game vs. Central Arkansas with 14 points, 10 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals.
> Scoring numbers are slightly down, but has become more well-rounded in his junior season, a focus of his off-season workouts ... His assist totals and shooting percentages are up in 2010-11 ... Has 33 dimes in 2010-11 after having just 39 assists all of last season.
> Was very unselfish in the Georgetown contest ... Scored 11 points on 5-of-12 FGs, but dished four assists and had three steals ... Three of his four assists came to backcourt running mate Marcus Denmon.
> Came off the bench vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff to score a season high 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
> Hit 3-of-5 treys (12 points) and grabbed six boards vs. Vanderbilt.
> Has 130 career three-pointers and needs 16 more treys to join the Mizzou career Top 10.
> Honorable mention preseason All-American by Sports Illustrated.
> 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.
> Named to the Preseason Top 50 for the John Wooden Player of the Year Award.
> Named to the Preseason Top 50 for the James Naismith 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
> A native of Kansas City and played at nearby Truman High School.
> Career game in the season-opener vs. Western Illinois, scoring a career high nine points, while tying a career high with five boards.
> Scored seven points and blocked three shots vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
> Has made 2-of-5 treys this season and was a good three-point shooter in high school.
> Second on the squad with 14 blocked shots this season... And finished his sophomore season with 17 blocks in his final eight games.
> Spent a portion of the summer playing with Global Sports Academy in Europe.
Milestones Approaching For Anderson
Mike Anderson became just the second coach in Missouri Basketball history to be 50 games over .500 for his career following an 81-62 win vs. Oral Roberts on Dec. 16 ... Anderson joins Norm Stewart (631-333 in 32 seasons) as the only other Tiger coach on that exclusive list.
> The fifth-year coach has of course steadily grown Tiger Basketball back towards national prominence and is closing in on 100 wins as the Missouri coach as well ... He is currently 99-47 all-time at Mizzou and needs 12 more wins to reach 200 for his career (including 89 wins at UAB).
Paint It Black & Gold
The addition of Ricardo Ratliffe and growth of Missouri's returners in the post have led to much more balance in Mizzou's offense ... The Tigers have scored 456 of 1020 points in the paint this season compared to 390 a season ago ... The 456 "paint points" (through 12 games) is the second highest total during Anderson's time at Mizzou, just behind of the 474 tallies scored by DeMarre Carroll, Leo Lyons and Co. through 12 games in 2008-09.
> Missouri has been outscored in the paint just once this season (Wyoming) and has topped 30 points nine times and is averaging 38.0 points in the paint per game this season.
The Freedom To Score
Coach Anderson loves an offense that shares the basketball, however the coach doesn't mind his Tigers getting greedy at the foul line and Mizzou has done just that this season, hitting 72.6 percent of its charity shots for the year and 75.8 percent over its last nine games ... In fact after two sub-par nights at the line to open the year Mizzou has dipped below 70 percent as a team just once over the last 10 outings.
Crunch Time Hoops From Denmon
- Missouri trailed #21 Illinois 57-56 with just over two minutes remaining, but Denmon hit a 17-footer with Jereme Richmond's hand in his face to give the Tigers a lead they wouldn't give up ... Denmon scored six points in the final 2:23, including a steal / assist on an Illinois in-bounds pass to seal the late-game surge.
- With the game tied and Vanderbilt running out the clock for a final shot in overtime, Denmon steals a pass from Brad Tinsley, scores the winning bucket (while being fouled) and completes the three-point play for an 85-82 win.
- On Jan. 9, 2010, with Missouri trailing Kansas State 55-52 and just 5:37 remaining, Denmon scores nine of the game's final 22 points to lift MU to a 74-68 upset win ... Denmon hit back-to-back treys, a running bank shot off the glass and a free throw off his own steal.
- Missouri and Texas Tech were tied 82-82 with 3:06 remaining in overtime in Lubbock when Denmon came off a screen and buried a 24-footer in front of the Missouri bench to give the Tigers a lead they wouldn't relinquish, resulting in a 94-89 OT win.
- Of course for good measure we need to pay homage to the 60-footer in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament vs. #2 Memphis on March 26, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz.
A Point Guard Family
Michael Dixon Jr. is distributing the rock like his "pops" (Michael Dixon Sr.) ... A sophomore starter for Mizzou, Dixon is among the Big 12 leaders in a number of categories this season, including assists (4th at 4.5 apg), steals (1st at 2.3) and assist/turnover ratio (1st at 2.5) ... Those numbers mirror the collegiate success his father had at San Jose State (1982-85) when the elder Dixon ranked #1 in school history with 477 assists and #6 with 106 career steals.
> However the younger Dixon has unleashed a consistent offensive game as well this year and has hit for double figures in scoring in seven of his last 10 contests, highlighted by a career high 17 points in games vs. Wyoming and Georgetown ... Dixon also helped lead Mizzou to a win over Vanderbilt with 15 points, four assists and three steals.
Flip The Switch
Flip Pressey is finding his comfort zone, despite suffering a hand injury during practice ... The explosive pass-first guard fueled Missouri's offense during his last three games, dishing out 27 assists while committing just seven turnovers in wins vs. Presbyterian, Oral Roberts and Central Arkansas ... The Dallas native dished a career high 11 assists in the 116-63 win over UCA, equaling the Missouri freshman record ... The 11 dimes are also the most by a Big 12 player this season.
> Pressey ranked #1 in the Big 12 among freshmen with 4.1 assists per game and his 1.9-to-1 assist/turnover ratio ranks #5 in the league overall at the time of his injury.
Non-Conference Home Streak #2 In Big 12
Missouri has won 54 consecutive non-conference games at home since 2005-06, which ranks very well amongst the rest of the league ... Here are the top win streaks in the conference:
Team Streak
Texas A&M 58
Missouri 54
Kansas 41
Kansas State 29
Oklahoma State 29
Texas 26
Oklahoma 24
Offensive Balance = Tough To Defend
Missouri continues to be one of the nation's most balanced programs in 2010-11 ... The Tigers have had 10 different players score nine or more points in a game this year and nine of those Tigers have reached double figures ... In fact the Tigers have five players averaging double figures in scoring currently ... In addition, six different Tigers have grabbed six or more rebounds in a game, five different players have dished three or more assists and five different Tigers have had three or more steals ... Kim English and Mike Dixon have reached those totals in all four categories so far this season for Mizzou.
> To illustrate how important balance is to Missouri Basketball, the Tigers had eight players top nine or more points in a game all of last season and then had a school record 11 do it in 2008-09.
Double R = Double-Digit Rebounding
Ricardo Ratliffe has played 12 collegiate games in NCAA Division I, but the newcomer has already produced three double-doubles, was named to the Cancun Challenge All-Tournament team and is twice the Big 12's Rookie of the Week.
> Ratliffe led the Cancun tournament with 26 rebounds in two games, including 14 points and a career high 14 boards in the win vs. La Salle ... Ratliffe dominated the glass vs. highly-touted La Salle forward Aaric Murray and helped Mizzou win the battle of the boards 42-to-37.
> The transfer needs eight more double-doubles to move into the Missouri single-season top 10 ... Jevon Crudup is 10th with 11 double-dips during the 1993-94 season.
> Ratliffe has shown an ability to score the rock as well ... The Hampton, Va., native has reached double figures in seven of his last eight games and nine times overall in 12 tries this season, including a career high 22 points vs. Georgetown on 9-of-16 FGs on Nov. 30.
Denmon, Ratliffe Sweep League Awards
Marcus Denmon and Ricardo Ratliffe swept the Big 12 weekly awards on Dec. 6 as Denmon was named the league's Player of the Week for the first time in his career, while Ratliffe won Rookie of the Week honors for the second consecutive time.
> A product of Hogan Prep High School in Kansas City, Denmon averaged 23.0 points in games vs. #14 Georgetown and at Oregon ... He shot an incredible 78.9 percent from the floor and 72.7 percent from three-point range ... The 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard hit 15-of-19 shots overall and 8-of-11 threes, highlighted by a career high 27 points vs. the Hoyas in his hometown of Kansas City. Denmon hit 10-of-12 shots vs. Georgetown, while grabbing six boards and recording two steals.
> Ratliffe earned his second consecutive Rookie of the Week honor after averaging 16.5 points and 5.0 rebounds vs. Georgetown and Oregon ... He opened the week with a career high 22 points vs. the Hoyas on 9-of-16 shooting ... He also grabbed seven rebounds in the overtime decision.
English Named To Naismith List
Junior guard Kim English earned another preseason honor as he was named to the James Naismith preseason watch list on Nov. 16.
> English is one of four Big 12 players named to the list and is one of just 50 players nationally, including incoming freshmen.
> English led the club in scoring (14.0) and three-point makes (68) last year en route to guiding the Tigers to a 23-11 overall mark.
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.
About Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois comes to Columbia following a 61-49 setback at Southern Illinois on Dec. 22 ... The Huskies are led by the nation's #2 scorer, Xavier Silas, a University of Colorado transfer, who followed his former Coach, Ricardo Patton, to DeKalb ... Silas is averaging and incredible 26.2 points per game this season, but is shooting 50 percent from the floor, 43 percent from three-point range and 90 percent from the foul line ... He averages eight free throw makes per game for the Huskies and is second on the team with 19 assists ... This will be the third consecutive road game for Coach Patton's club ... The road trip began Dec. 18 at nationally-ranked Temple before the Wednesday loss in Carbondale, Ill.
Former CU Buffalo Xavier Silas vs. The Tigers
Xavier Silas will face Missouri for the third time in his career ... He scored 16 points vs. Mizzou at Colorado on Jan. 24, 2007 on 6-of-12 shooting ... He also added six boards and three assists ... He later scored 15 points in the return to Columbia on Feb. 28, 2007 ... Mizzou won both games.
Quick Starts For Anderson
Missouri is off to its best start under Mike Anderson ... The Tigers are currently 11-1 on the year, equaling the 11-1 start by MU during the 1991-92 season ... Missouri hasn't been 12-1 since 1989-90 ... That club opened the year 21-1 and elevated to #1 in the nation.
The Good Tigers Giveth...
Missouri will always be one of the country's more unselfish programs under former point guard Mike Anderson and the Tigers have showed a propensity to distribute the rock once again this year ... Mizzou has dished 20 assists four times already this year and have topped 20 dimes 38 times (37-1) under Anderson.
> Missouri is currently averaging 18.3 assists through 12 games in 2010-11, which is second in the Big 12 and #9 nationally.
> Missouri dished a season high 33 dimes in its 116-63 win over Central Arkansas on Dec. 18, which is tied for the second most in school history and most ever by a Mike Anderson club.
And Taketh Away...
If it's The Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball then opponents know waves of defensive pressure will be in store ... Missouri has ranked among the nation's leaders in steals each year under Anderson's watch, including a national best 10.9 steals per game in 2009-10 ... The Tigers also led the country by forcing 19.4 turnovers a game last season.
> Missouri is once again among the national leaders in both turnovers forced and steals this year, forcing 20.0 turnovers per game, including a school record 34 turnovers vs. North Florida ... The Tigers also average 10.1 steals a night, including 14 thefts vs. Georgetown.
Mizzou Arena - Home Sweet Home
Mike Anderson is a perfect 47-0 all-time in non-conference home games at Missouri ... Not only have the Tigers won 47 consecutive in non-league action, but they have done so in dominating fashion, sporting a 25.7 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 47-game stretch.
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
2010-11 7-0 23.0 ppg
Total 47-0 25.7 ppg.
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.
The Pine Is Fine
Missouri is known for having deep squads and that trend seems to be continuing this season as the Tiger reserves are averaging 26.4 points per game in 2010-11.
> Mizzou got a season-best 49 points off the bench vs. La Salle, paced by Marcus Denmon's season high 21 tallies on 5-of-9 three-point shooting.
> Missouri averaged 31.6 points per game from its reserves last year, ranking #2 in the nation.
> In Anderson's 146 games on the Tiger sidelines, the reserves have outscored Missouri's starters 20 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 Three Years
Guess who is among college basketball's winningest programs the last three seasons? ... It's the Missouri Tigers ... Mizzou has won 65 games the last three years, the sixth 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 few campaigns.
Team Wins
1. Duke 76
2. Kansas 71
Syracuse 71
4. Pittsburgh 67
Purdue 67
6. Mizzou 65
Memphis 65
Michigan State 65
Utah State 65
Butler 65
Villanova 65
12. Gonzaga 62