COLUMBIA, Mo. - Growing up a short drive away in Pacific, Missouri, Mizzou Men's Basketball freshman guard Cullen VanLeer always watched the yearly battle between Mizzou and Illinois. With the 35th Annual Bud Light Braggin' Rights Game set to tip off tonight at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, to say VanLeer is excited for his opportunity to play in the rivalry game would be an understatement.
"I've watched this game a lot growing up," VanLeer said. "It will be fun to be a part of the game this time around. Both programs have great basketball history, I'm excited to add to this rivalry."
Head coach Kim Anderson inserted VanLeer into his rotation from the beginning of the 2015-16 season. Playing in 15.9 minutes per game off the bench, VanLeer is averaging 5.4 points per game. The Tiger freshman has scored in double digits twice this season, including 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting from beyond the three-point arc last time out against NC State (Dec. 19).
"From the start, I expected to be playing and to be a go-to shooter," VanLeer said. "That has always been my role on any team I have been on. Because I wasn't as highly recruited as other guys, most people may have not expected me to be in the lineup right away, but I always had that confidence in myself."
Once VanLeer had the chance to meet Anderson and the coaching staff in high school, he knew he was destined for Columbia to continue his basketball career.
"From the first time in the recruiting period that the coaching staff could reach out to me, they were in contact, right from the first tournament they showed up to," VanLeer said. "They really stuck with me and have continued to show they believe in me."
Anderson and the rest of the Tigers' coaching staff helped VanLeer reach a goal of his by offering him the chance to play for Mizzou.
"As a Missouri kid, seeing the crowd and everything that goes into a home game, it gets your blood flowing and gets your heart pumping," VanLeer said. "I have enjoyed every bit of being a Tiger, so far."
VanLeer and his superb outside shooting will be in action Wednesday night when the Tigers (5-5) meet Illinois (7-5) at the Scottrade Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN2.