Jan. 16, 2011
Columbia, Mo. -
Complete Release in PDF Format 
#12 / #15 University of Missouri Tigers (15-3, 1-2 Big 12) vs.
#20 / #21 Kansas State University Wildcats (13-5, 1-2 Big 12)
Tip-Off: 4:30 P.M. CT
Arena: Mizzou Arena (15,061)
Radio: Tiger Radio Network (Mike Kelly - Play by Play / Gary Link - Analyst)
TV: ESPN2 (Dave Pasch and Fran Fraschilla)
Rankings: Mizzou 15/12; Kansas State 21/20 in AP / USA Today Coaches Poll
Series: Missouri leads 116-115; In Columbia Missouri leads 64-41
Coaches:
Missouri: Mike Anderson (Tulsa `82); 192-90 overall (9th); 103-49 at Mizzou (5th)
K-State: Frank Martin (Florida International `93) 85-36 overall (4th)
For Openers...
> Mizzou Basketball returns home for its first of two ESPN Big Monday contests, as the Tigers battle the Kansas State Wildcats in Columbia ... It's a Gold Rush at Mizzou Arena and Tiger fans are encouraged to wear GOLD to Monday's 4:30 p.m. tip.
> Missouri is hosting ESPN Big Monday for the first time since the 2008-09 season ... The Tigers played at Kansas on ESPN Big Monday last season and will do so once again in 2011 on Feb. 7 in Lawrence.
> Missouri is playing its 35th ESPN Big Monday game ... The last time Missouri faced a team on Big Monday that wasn't the Kansas Jayhawks was Jan. 12, 2004, when Mizzou met up with Syracuse ... The last league foe was Oklahoma State on Feb. 25, 2002.
> Missouri has typically responded well following a league loss under Mike Anderson ... Since the 2008-09 campaign, Missouri has not lost back-to-back regular season league games (in the same season) under Anderson's watch and are 9-0 in those contests, including a win over Nebraska after a Big 12-opening loss at Colorado last week.
> Has there been a more improved player nationally then Missouri's Marcus Denmon? ... The Kansas City native ranks among the Top 10 in six Big 12 statistical categories, including scoring (17.7, 5th), field goal percentage (.505, 6th), steals (1.8, 5th), free throw percentage (.817, 9th), three-point field goals made (2.8, 3rd) and three-point percentage (.495, 3rd).
> The junior guard is coming off the best back-to-back Big 12 scoring games of his career ... He tied a career-high with 27 points on 8-of-14 shooting vs. Nebraska and the dropped in 19 tallies at Texas A&M ... Over his last 13 games Denmon is averaging 19.2 points on 52 percent shooting from the floor and 49 percent shooting from three-point range ... He also boasts six 20-points games and has had more than 15 field goal attempts just three times during that stretch! ... Oh and for good measure he has 28 dimes, just 12 turnovers and is averaging 4.6 boards from his guard position.
> 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 is #6 nationally with 18.1 dimes a game ... In addition, the Tigers have taken excellent care of the basketball over their last nine games vs. Division I foes ... In those contests Missouri is averaging just 11.1 turnovers and own a 1.7-to-1 assist/turnover ratio as a team.
Mizzou Quick Hitters
> Mizzou Basketball returns home for a pair of contests this week as the Tigers look to move back into the win column ... Missouri hosts Kansas State on Jan. 17 on ESPN Big Monday and the Tigers will face their fifth opponent that has been ranked in the Top 25 this season.
> Missouri is looking for its first win on ESPN Big Monday since 2008-09 (62-60 vs. Kansas), which is also the last time the Tigers have hosted Big Monday at Mizzou Arena ... The Tigers have won two straight Big Monday games at home, with both wins coming against Kansas.
> Missouri has won three consecutive games vs. Kansas State at home and two of those wins were against ranked Wildcat clubs (2008 and 2010).
> Missouri is 1-2 vs. Top 25 teams this season, beating Illinois and losing in OT to both Georgetown and Texas A&M.
> The Tigers continue an "ESPN-Heavy" stretch ... MU will play five consecutive games on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU, including Saturday's game vs. Iowa State, which is on ESPNU.
> Missouri has already blocked 104 shots this season and needs just 28 more swats to move into the single-season top five ... The school record for blocks is 160, which was set last season ... MU has never led the Big 12 in blocked shots, but currently pace the league at 5.8 per game ... Oh and for good measure, let's begin the campaign for Laurence Bowers as Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
> Balanced scoring has been key for the Tigers this year ... In fact Missouri has had seven players reach double figures in a game twice this year, including a home contest vs. North Alabama.
> Attendance has been up all season at Mizzou Arena, to the tune of 1,000 fans per game ... Missouri is on pace to break the Mizzou Arena-era attendance record, including a sellout Monday vs. Kansas State ... One factor that separates Mizzou is that the Tigers use actual attendance vs. tickets sold.
> Mizzou has been dominant at home over its last seven games ... The Tigers have enjoyed 20-point second-half leads in six of those contests, including a school record 40 point lead (57-17) at the half vs. Northern Illinois.
> Missouri is once again one of the nation's highest scoring clubs, ranking #5 nationally at 85.4 points per game ... At home that number is up to 87.1 ppg.
> Mizzou is also #6 nationally in assists at 18.1 per game, so not only can the Tigers score in bunches, but they do it with great efficiency, recording dimes on 60 percent of their hoops.
> Mizzou has been very good in non-conference games under Anderson ... The Tigers are 54-14 (.794), including four NCAA Tournament wins, since his arrival before the 2006-07 season.
> Missouri has been the ultimate team through 18 games ... The Tigers have had seven different players lead the team (or tie for the team lead) in scoring, six different players in rebounding, six in assists and eight in steals.
> Mizzou Arena has been a terror dome for non-league opponents during the Mike Anderson era... In running their record to 50-0 (under Anderson), the Tigers are averaging a 26.8 ppg. margin of victory vs. non-conference foes at home, including quality wins over Arkansas, California, Davidson, Mississippi State, Murray State, Old Dominion, Oral Roberts, Oregon, Purdue and Vanderbilt.
> Overall Missouri owns a 57-game non-conference home court winning streak, which dates back to the 2005-06 campaign (pre-Mike Anderson era) ... That 57-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 a turnover on nearly 25 percent of its opponent possessions this year (336 opponent turnovers compared to 1047 opponent FG attempts).
> Last season Missouri led the nation by forcing turnovers on 30 percent of its opponent possessions.
> The Tigers have scored 396 points off of those 336 turnovers, a number that will increase as this new collection of players becomes more familiar with each other ... So far Missouri is averaging 22.0 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 27.1 points over Anderson's five years in Columbia!
> The Tigers are already averaging 26.1 ppg from their bench this season, including a season high 49 points vs. La Salle on Nov. 24 and 40 vs. North Alabama.
> 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 128 more shots than its opponents and made 125 more buckets.
> It's early, but Missouri has been good at defending the rim though 18 games, averaging 5.8 swats a contest ... Laurence Bowers (42) and Ricardo Ratliffe (26) lead the way with a combined 68 total blocks.
> Mizzou blocked 10 shots at Colorado on Jan. 8, the most since the 1998-99 season for a Tiger team ... Laurence Bowers led the way with a school record tying eight total swats.
> Missouri has typically played some tough schedules over the years and that trend will continue in 2010-11 ... 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.
> 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.
> Missed four games with a fractured right finger, which was suffered Dec. 19 during practice.
> Returned to action at Colorado with three steals in just nine minutes of play.
> Scored a career high 16 points at Texas A&M and hit a career-best 4-of-4 treys in the contest.
> 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 (3.7) and assist/turnover ratio (1.9).
> Has dished 34 assists over his last six games (5.7 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 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 3.7 per game ... Ranked #10 in the Big 12 overall with 1.6 steals 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 Missouri Player of the Year to ink with the Tigers.
> Recorded his first career double-double in 20 minutes vs. North Alabama, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 boards ... Added two steals and an assist.
> Scored a career high 11 points on 4-4 FGs and 3-3 treys vs. Central Arkansas on Dec. 18.
> Outstanding energy player off the pine and had a career high four steals vs. Nebraska.
> 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
> Big 12 Rookie of the Week for Jan. 3 after averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in a pair of Tiger wins.
> Has reached double figures in three of his last six games and is averaging 9.8 points, 3.2 rebounds on 58 percent shooting during that time.
> Scored a career high 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting vs. Northern Illinois en route to that honor ... Added five boards, three assists and a pair of dunks in the rout.
> Chipped in 15 points and five boards in the win over Old Dominion.
> 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.
> Has started seven games this season.
> Is 42-of-80 from the floor over his last 13 games as well (.525).
> 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.
> Was a warrior at Texas A&M scoring 19 points on 9-of-11 FGs to go with a game high nine rebounds before fouling out.
> Oddly its the first time Ratliffe has led or tied for the team lead in scoring this year ... He also added six offensive boards.
> Leads the club in rebounding (7.1) and double-doubles (3).
> His 14 boards vs. La Salle are the most since DeMarre Carroll grabbed 14 vs. Kansas State on Feb. 25, 2009.
> Second in the Big 12 in field goal percentage (.583) ... Third on the squad in scoring (11.8).
> Fifth in the league in blocked shots at 1.4 swats per game and blocked four vs. Nebraska on Jan. 12.
> 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
> Quietly vying for Top Big 12 point guard honors, ranking #2 in the league in steals per game (2.1) and is second in assist/turnover ratio (2.5) ... Ranks #4 in dimes (4.8) and #4 in free throw percentage (.850).
> Had 55 dimes all of last season, but has 77 in just 16 games played in 2010-11.
> Ranked #25 nationally in steals per game and #24 in assist/turnover ratio.
> Scored a career high 18 points in the win over Old Dominion thanks to 5-of-7 shooting, 3-of-3 treys and 5-of-5 free throws.
> Great all-around effort 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.
> 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.
> Coming off his highest scoring Big 12 game with 27 points, 8-14 FGs and 5-7 treys vs. Nebraska ... Tied a career high in scoring.
> Averaging 23.0 points over his last two games, including 19 points at Texas A&M on Saturday ... Shot 50 percent from the floor and 54 percent (7-of-13) from three-point range last week.
> Named by ESPN as one of the country's Most Improved Players for 2010-11.
> Named a Mid-Season 2nd Team All-American by Rivals.com.
> Mid-Season Co-Big 12 Player of the Year from ESPN.com.
> Mid-Season Wooden Award member.
> Mid-Season Big 12 Player of the Year and All-American Candidate.
> Ranked #14 nationally in three-point percentage.
> Highest scoring Tiger guard through 18 games since Thomas Gardner (21.3) in 2005-06, but has taken 68 fewer shots than Gardner during that same time frame.
> Twice named Big 12 Player of the Week.
> Reached double figures in 15 consecutive games.
> Has 153 career three-pointers in his tenure, which is ninth all-time.
> Leads the team in scoring (17.7) and three-point field goal percentage (.495) ... Is third in the Big 12 Conference with his three-point accuracy (.495).
> Has hit 37 of his last 70 treys over the last 13 games and is 85-of-166 from the floor overall.
> Initially 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.
> Poured in 24 points in just 24 minutes vs. Northern Illinois ... Hit 9-of-11 shots and 5-of-7 treys vs. the Huskies.
> Has 10 career 20-point efforts and Missouri is 9-1 in those games.
> Cancun Challenge MVP after averaging 15.0 points on 8-of-16 treys in two wins.
> Classroom Champion in the 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 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocked shots over his last nine games.
> Is shooting 61 percent from the floor (49-of-81) and 71 percent from the foul line (22-of-31) during that stretch.
> Leads the Big 12 in shot-blocking at 2.3 per game, including a school-record tying eight blocks at Colorado ... The eight swats were the most ever for a Tiger in a league game.
> Had a terrific all-around game at CU with 15 points, seven boards and those eight blocks.
> Would rank #5 in the Big 12 with 54.2 percent field goal shooting with enough attempts.
> 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 five blocks.
> Has reached double figures in scoring 12 times.
> Has two double-doubles this season and five for his career, including 16 points and 11 boards vs. North Alabama.
> Sixth in school history with 103 career blocked shots and needs 14 more to pass Jevon Crudup (1991-94) who had 116 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.
> Has made back-to-back starts in league play.
> 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.
> Narrowly missed a double-double vs. North Alabama with 16 points, eight boards and three assists.
> 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 85 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 12 times this season and in 10 of his last 14 games.
> Scored 20 first-half points vs. North Alabama on 6-of-7 three-point shooting ... Took just three shots in the second half with the game in hand.
> 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 44 dimes in 2010-11 after having just 39 assists all of last season.
> Has 44 assists and 37 turnovers this year after having 39 assists and 71 turnovers last year.
> 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 143 career three-pointers and needs four more treys to join the Mizzou career Top 11.
> 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.
> 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.
> Solid game at Texas A&M, hitting 4-of-4 FTs to go with two rebounds in 13 minutes.
> 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.
> Grabbed a career high seven rebounds vs. North Alabama to go with four points.
> Third on the squad with 17 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.
About Kansas State
Kansas State comes to Columbia after a dominating 94-60 home win over Texas Tech ... The Wildcats regained the services of Curtis Kelly and the preseason all-Big 12 forward scored 12 points and grabbed five boards in 28 minutes of time ... Jacob Pullen continues to lead KSU with 17.9 points and has hit 31 treys this year ... The point guard has also dished a team-best 60 assists and has 27 steals for the Big 12 preseason favorites ... Rodney McGruder is one of the league's most underrated players and is second with 12.2 tallies and is tops with 44 percent three-point shooting ... Jamar Samuels is also back and averages 10.3 points and 6.1 boards.
Raise Your Hand If You Remember
Sure it's just one game that occurred 98 years ago, but that single contest is the difference between a 116-115 series lead (which Missouri claims) and a 116-115 KSU series lead (which the Wildcats claim) ... The game took place on Feb. 12, 1913, in Manhattan, but oddly enough, both school's have box scores that support their historical claims ... Missouri calls it a 25-24 Tiger triumph, while K-State calls it a 26-25 Wildcat "W".
Block Party
Laurence Bowers blocked a school-record tying eight shots at Colorado on Jan. 8, the most ever for a Missouri player in a league game and he tied Arthur Johnson's eight blocks in a Dec. 30, 2000, win over Stetson ... The previous Missouri high in a league game with six by Travon Bryant at Kansas in 2004 ... Johnson also had six in games vs. Texas (2004) and Iowa State (2002).
Denmon Named Mid-Season All-American
Marcus Denmon was named a mid-season Rivals.com Second Team All-American on Jan. 13 ... The Kansas City native has been one of the country's most efficient players this season and leads the Tigers in scoring and three-point percentage, while ranking among national leaders in both categories as well ... He was also named the country's Most Improved Player by ESPN and was Big 12 Co-Player of the Year by Jay Bilas of ESPN.
Top Shot-Blocking Tandems at Mizzou
Laurence Bowers and Ricardo Ratliffe are quickly becoming one of the top shot-blocking tandems in school history ... The pair have combined for 68 swats in just 18 games and need 35 more blocks combined this season to become tops in school history.
Tandem Blks Year
Arthur Johnson/Travon Bryant 102 02-03
Arthur Johnson/Travon Bryant 93 03-04
Arthur Johnson/Kareem Rush 93 01-02
Laurence Bowers/Keith Ramsey 86 09-10
Arthur Johnson/Kareem Rush 86 00-01
Steve Stipanovich/Greg Cavener 83 82-83
Doug Smith/Chris Heller 73 90-91
Denmon Named To Wooden Top 30 List
Marcus Denmon has played his way onto All-America lists throughout the country and on Jan. 6 he was named to the John Wooden Award Midseason Top 30 list ... Denmon has been one of the country's most efficient players and is averaging 17.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 steals for the Tigers this season ... He is also one of six Big 12 players named to the list.
Comparing The Last Three Seasons
Missouri is in the midst of the best three-year run in school history, but it is incredible how clear Mike Anderson's formula to success is when you compare the vital statistical numbers.
Category 10-11 09-10 08-09
Record 15-3 14-4 15-3
PPG 85.4 82.3 84.2
RPG 37.5 37.5 38.9
APG 18.1 17.2 19.8
SPG 9.8 12.5 10.8
FG% .478 .459 .486
3FG% .383 .389 .375
FT% .715 .720 .647
Five In Double Figures = Great Seasons
Missouri has five players averaging double-figures in scoring this season, a rarity in school history ... In fact just three teams at Mizzou have had five players finish the year averaging double-figures: 1964-65, 1988-89 and 1989-90 ... Not surprisingly the 1988-90 teams recorded a combined 55 wins over those two seasons and this year's Tiger team is a staunch 15-3 heading into Monday.
Lucky #7
Missouri's depth has led to unprecedented scoring balance this year, as the Tigers have had seven players reach double figures in the same game twice this year ... Mizzou had seven players score 10+ vs. both Central Arkansas and North Alabama ... The last time Mizzou had seven or more in double figures was a Dec. 2, 1995, win vs. Chicago State ... Below is a list of seven-double figure scoring games in school history.
Date Opponent 10+ Score
12-30-87 Alabama State 8 129-64
12-30-89 Neb-Kearney 7 119-98
12-02-95 Chicago State 7 117-45
12-18-10 Central Arkansas 7 116-63
01-05-11 North Alabama 7 98-58
Milestone Watch
Junior guards Marcus Denmon and Kim English are each rapidly approaching 1,000 career points as Missouri Tigers ... English has 913 career tallies in 89 career games, while Denmon boasts 900 points in 89 contests as well ... The last pair of Tiger juniors to top 1,000 career points in the same season were Arthur Johnson and Rickey Paulding in 2002-03 ... English and Denmon will become the 41st and 42nd players in school history to top 1,000 points.
Top Non-Conference Seasons at Mizzou
Missouri finished up non-conference play tied for the most wins in school history, while also boasting the best winning percentage through non-league action (.933) ... Missouri's 14 non-league wins this season tied the mark of the 1989-90 (14-2) and 1988-89 (14-3) squads.
A Hundred Ways To Break It Down
Mike Anderson won his 100th game at Mizzou on Dec. 27, making him the fastest Tiger to reach that feat ... The 147 games it took Anderson to reach 100 topped the previous mark held by Quin Snyder, who won game #100 in 158 tries on Feb. 28, 2004 at Kansas State ... Norm Stewart won game #100 on Dec. 8, 1973, vs. UTEP in his 160th contest.
> Anderson, who is now 103-49 all-time at Mizzou, needs just eight more wins to top 200 for his career, which includes the 89 wins he racked up at UAB.
> Last but not least, 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.
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 678 of 1,538 points in the paint this season compared to 546 a season ago ... The 678 "paint points" (through 18 games) is the most during Anderson's time at Mizzou, just ahead of the 666 tallies scored by DeMarre Carroll, Leo Lyons and Co. through 18 games in 2008-09.
> Missouri has been outscored in the paint just three times this season (Wyoming, at Colorado and at Texas) and has topped 30 points 15 times and is averaging 37.6 points in the paint per game this season.