SB Nation - DeMarre Carroll

Big 12 All Decade Team

Evan Pfaff — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:15:09 -0000

More photos » by Orlin Wagner - AP

With almost a full year yet to play, Kansas center Cole Aldrich muscled his way onto the Big12Hoops.com First Team All Big 12 Decade Team (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

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In the first full calendar decade of the Big 12 conference, one thing was apparent: there were two schools that produced a good majority of the talent. And while the best individual players may not have come from Kansas or Texas, a look at the Big12Hoops.com All Decade team reveals that a majority were either Jayhawks or Longhorns.

Don't see your favorite? The Honorable Mention list is after The Jump

First Team All Big 12

PG – Jamaal Tinsley, Iowa St
SG – Tony Allen, Oklahoma St
SF – Kevin Durant, Texas
PF – Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
C – Cole Aldrich, Kansas

Second Team All Big 12

PG – Kirk Hinrich, Kansas
SG – Acie Law, Texas A&M
SF – Michael Beasely, Kansas St
PF – Marcus Fizer, Iowa St
C – Chris Mihm, Texas

Third Team All Big 12

PG – TJ Ford, Texas
SG – Andre Emmett, Texas Tech
SF – PJ Tucker, Texas
PF – Drew Gooden, Kansas
C – Nick Collison, Kansas

[UPDATE: Lots of good suggestions and opinions in the comments section. Lemme give a little insight into how I compiled this list.

I started with a list of Big 12 Players of the Year. My rationale was that if someone was good enough to be the best in the league, even for one year, he warranted entry into this exclusive club. 9 of the 10 Big 12 Players of the Year made the top three teams. The only one who didn’t was Wayne Simien, and that is because he played a PF position that, if you look at the past decade, was just STACKED. Blake Griffin, Marcus Fizer, Drew Gooden. Really you could put Simien in there, but who gets bumped off?

As for PG, Tinsley over TJ Ford and Kirk Hinirich has also garnered a lot of attention. Tinsley’s place as the 2000-01 POY got him on the first team. But you really cant go wrong with any of them.

Lastly, there is this question on what to do with Durant and Beasley. Each only played one year, but they dominated the league (and the country). Durant was a Naismith winner as the best player in the country and Beasley was a finalist for the award. Both were league POYs. Because they didn’t play a full 4 years, they didn’t accumulate career stats that some others players did, but my list was based on selecting the best players, during their time in the Big 12, at each position.]

All Big 12 - Honorable Mention

Baylor Bears
LaceDarius Dunn
Lawrence Roberts

Colorado Buffaloes
Reggie Roby
David Harrison

Iowa St Cyclones
Craig Brackins

Kansas Jayhawks
Wayne Simien
Aaron Miles

Kansas St. Wildcats
Cartier Martin

Missouri Tigers
DeMarre Carroll
Clarence Gilbert
Arthur Johnson
Kareem Rush

Nebraska Cornhuskers
Aleks Maric

Oklahoma Sooners
Taj Gray
Hollis Price

Oklahoma St Cowboys
Byron Eaton
Joey Graham

Texas Longhorns
DJ Augustine
LaMarcus Aldridge

Texas Tech Red Raiders
Jarrius Jackson

Texas A&M Aggies
Bernard King

Study Hall: Mizzou vs Oregon

Bill C. — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:00:17 -0000

More photos » by L.G. Patterson - AP

14 days ago: Oregon's E.J. Singler, left, LeKendric Longmire (24) and Michael Dunigan (33) battle Missouri's Zaire Taylor, right, and Keith Ramsey, center, for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

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Well, THAT was fun...

Mizzou 106, Oregon 69

NCAA Basketball Stats

	Mizzou	Ducks
Points Per Minute	2.65	1.73
Points Per Possession (PPP)	1.35	0.88
Points Per Shot (PPS)	1.66	0.96
2-PT FG%	65.7%	33.3%
3-PT FG%	48.3%	22.2%
FT%	72.0%	77.8%
True Shooting %	70.7%	41.1%

	Mizzou	Ducks
Assists	28	5
Steals	8	8
Turnovers	15	20
Ball Control Index (BCI) (Assists + Steals) / TO	2.40	0.65

	Mizzou	Ducks
Expected Offensive Rebounds	10	19
Offensive Rebounds	9	24
Difference	-1	+5

Home games are fun.

I felt a blowout coming, but I chickened out and only predicted a 19-point win. I should have known better. I thought Oregon could win the rebounding battle, and if they were making their 3's, they might stay in the game a while. Well, they did rebound well, but they were terrible from behind the arc, and after dilly-dallying for a few minutes, Mizzou stomped on the throat, which is always fun to watch.

Three-pointers.

So...are three-pointers a strength for this team now? I'm so confused.

A near-perfect first half.

First half BCI: Mizzou 2.57, Oregon 0.42
First half FG%: Mizzou 60.0%, Oregon 24.2%
First half Points: Oregon 24, Kim English & Marcus Denmon 23

Eh?

Mizzou is a Top 20 team in Block %, but they are average at best in terms of rebounds. I guess Mizzou's good at jumping high but bad at positioning. Now, Oregon really is a strong rebounding team, and Mizzou improved their performance on the boards as compared to the Vandy game, but it's still clearly the single biggest issue this team faces moving forward.

Player stats after the jump.

Player Stats

NCAA Basketball Stats

Player	AdjGS*	GmSc/Min	Line
Laurence Bowers	22.2	1.06	21 Min, 14 Pts (5-for-6 FG), 7 Reb, 5 Ast, 2 Stl
Zaire Taylor	20.2	0.88	23 Min, 16 Pts (6-for-10 FG, 4-for-5 3PT), 5 Reb, 4 Ast, 3 Stl
Marcus Denmon	13.9	0.63	22 Min, 17 Pts (6-for-13 FG, 4-for-10 3PT), 5 Reb
Kim English	11.2	0.53	21 Min, 14 Pts (6-for-12 FG, 2-for-5 3PT), 3 Ast
Justin Safford	9.9	0.50	20 Min, 9 Pts (3-for-4 FG, 2-for-2 3PT), 5 Reb, 2 Ast
Michael Dixon	9.3	0.46	20 Min, 10 Pts (3-for-7 FG), 3 Reb, 3 Ast
Keith Ramsey	4.9	0.20	24 Min, 7 Pts (2-for-3 FG), 4 Reb, 2 Ast, 3 TO
J.T. Tiller	4.7	0.36	13 Min, 10 Pts (3-for-4 FG), 3 TO
Jarrett Sutton	3.0	1.51	2 MIn, 3 Pts (1-for-1 FG, as always)
Tyler Stone	2.7	0.89	3 Min, 2 Pts (1-for-1 FG)
Miguel Paul	2.2	0.16	14 Min, 2 Pts (1-for-1 FG), 6 Ast, 4 TO
John Underwood	1.3	0.33	4 Min, 2 Pts (0-for-1 FG)
Steve Moore	0.9	0.07	13 Min, 0 Pts

* AdjGS = a take-off of the Game Score metric (definition here) accepted by a lot of basketball stat nerds. It does the same thing my previous measure of choice did (it takes points, assists, rebounds (offensive & defensive), steals, blocks, turnovers and fouls into account to determine an individual's "score" for a given game), only the formula is more used and accepted. The "adjustment" in Adjusted Game Score is simply matching the total game scores to the total points scored in the game, thereby redistributing the game's points scored to those who had the biggest impact on the game itself, instead of just how many balls a player put through a basket.

Laurence Bowers: box score filler. When he stays out of foul trouble (i.e. when Mizzou plays teams without a talented, old-school 250-pounder at center), anyway. He's shooting 64% for the season, grabbing almost three offensive rebounds (six overall) per game, blocks almost two shots per game, has a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio (and BCI of 3.83)...I'm not sure I've ever seen a player like him. We just need to make sure he stays on the court.
By the way, Zaire Taylor is now shooting 59% from 3-point land. Just thought I'd mention that. As I mentioned before, he's never going to be a shoot-first guy, and we turned him into that, his percentages go down, but he has become a tremendously efficient shooter. We talk about how Mizzou needs one more pure scorer, but I'm curious how the offense develops with Bowers and Taylor both shaping up to be astoundingly efficient. Our "one more scorer" is probably one of these two, and I'm not sure what to think about that.
Then again, maybe that "one more scorer" is Marcus Denmon? As Long Duk Dong would say, I so confuse. When Mizzou looks good, they look so good that they mess with perspective.
So here's a question: how good is Steve Moore? He's got size that no other Mizzou player has, and that alone makes him more valuable than his stats suggest. He probably does good things for the overall team defense ... but how many good things? Because from a box score perspective, he's a blank slate. While we still have opportunities, I'd love to get Stone and/or Underwood (particularly Underwood) some PT with the first stringers just to see what happens, but I guess that's not going to happen.

Mizzou vs "Real" Opponents*

* "Real" opponents are BCS conference teams and solid mid-majors. So far, Mizzou's "real" opponents have been, according to me: Old Dominion, Richmond, Vanderbilt, and Oregon.

	Mizzou	Opp
Points Per Minute	1.92	1.74
Points Per Possession (PPP)	1.08	0.98
Points Per Shot (PPS)	1.31	1.27
2-PT FG%	46.1%	44.0%
3-PT FG%	38.8%	31.7%
FT%	73.5%	77.9%
True Shooting %	55.4%	52.5%

	Mizzou	Opp
Assists/Gm	15.5	11.3
Steals/Gm	9.5	6.5
Turnovers/Gm	13.5	20.3
Ball Control Index (BCI) (Assists + Steals) / TO	1.85	0.88

	Mizzou	Opp
Expected Offensive Rebounds	51	50
Offensive Rebounds	44	56
Difference	-7	+6

Looking at just these four games, Mizzou is still looking alright from an offensive standpoint. The assists are nice (the Oregon game just balanced out the Vandy game in the end), and they're shooting alright. Really, the major question mark right now is in the rebounds department. Only Laurence Bowers (0.28) is averaging more than 0.20 rebounds per minute. For reference, DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons both averaged 0.26 last year. Keith Ramsey (0.20), Justin Safford (0.16) and Steve Moore (0.16) all need to pick up their games.

Player Stats

Player	AdjGS*	GmSc/Min	Line
Zaire Taylor	15.8	0.51	31.0 MPG, 11.5 PPG (1.53 Pts Per Shot), 3.5 APG, 3.3 RPG, 3.5 SPG
Laurence Bowers	12.1	0.58	20.8 MPG, 8.3 PPG (1.38 PPS), 5.8 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.3 BPG
Kim English	10.6	0.45	23.8 MPG, 14.8 PPG (1.16 PPS), 2.8 RPG, 1.3 SPG
J.T. Tiller	8.8	0.34	25.8 MPG, 10.8 PPG (1.30 PPS), 3.8 APG, 2.3 RPG, 2.8 TOPG
Keith Ramsey	8.3	0.29	28.5 MPG, 4.8 PPG (1.73 PPS), 5.8 RPG, 1.5 BPG, 1.3 SPG
Marcus Denmon	7.2	0.39	18.5 MPG, 8.8 PPG (1.46 PPS), 2.5 RPG
Justin Safford	6.7	0.35	19.3 MPG, 7.8 PPG (1.29 PPS), 3.0 RPG
Mike Dixon	5.4	0.36	15.3 MPG, 8.0 PPG (1.14 PPS), 1.5 APG
Jarrett Sutton	3.5	1.77	2.0 MPG
Tyler Stone	1.6	1.05	1.5 MPG
John Underwood	1.6	0.39	4.0 MPG, 2.0 PPG
Miguel Paul	-0.1	-0.01	9.7 MPG, 0.7 PPG, 2.0 APG
Steve Moore	-0.3	-0.04	7.8 MPG, 0.0 PPG, 1.3 RPG

More reference points: DeMarre Carroll averaged 17.3/game last year, and Leo Lyons 13.5. I've compared Bowers to Lyons numerous times, and the fact that Lyons '08-09 and Bowers '09-10 averaged/are averaging the same per-minute total (0.58) makes me feel better about that comparison. The only question for now is, who's picking up the slack for Carroll's absence? Right now the answer is, strangely enough, Zaire Taylor.

Summary

One batch of great play can make you forget how frustrated you were earlier in the week. Oregon's not very good beyond the rebounding thing, but Mizzou played wonderfully. If they play that well on Wednesday, they will blow a beyond-banged-up Oral Roberts team off the court.

Periscope: Vanderbilt vs. Missouri

KingJamesIV — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:29:25 -0000

More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

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The perceived controversy between Vanderbilt and its last opponent, Arizona, is simply a blip on the radar compared to the potential for bad-blood between Missouri and Vandy.

Back when Shan Foster was a player, Vandy had another stud wing/power forward named DeMarre Carroll from the same recruiting class. As fans of both teams know, DeMarre transferred from Vanderbilt due to some extremely complex circumstances. He ended up at Missouri where his uncle, Mike Anderson, was and still is head coach. Despite what could be perceived as some shady dealings, both teams and head coaches are happy with the course of history. DeMarre sat out for his NCAA-required season and became quite the leader as a 5th-year senior for Coach Anderson as Missouri made it to the Elite 8 last season. Vanderbilt was a missed-traveling-call-away from a Sweet 16 victory over Georgetown and an Elite 8 appearance in the season after Carroll's departure. All's well that ends well.

Here is a link to the TSN Preview of the game:

Tigers vs Commodores preview

In what figures to be a close game from start to finish, give an edge to Vanderbilt. The Commodores have the obvious advantage of playing at home, and Ogilvy is due for a big game.

The Anchor of Gold's Patented Statistical Breakdown:

I made a few minor changes from the version I used (hastily I might add) for the Vandy-Arizona preview from last week. The two right-most columns are tempo free stats (thus the "Tempo Free" label above them). PPWS is Points Per Weighted Shot. It's a less-intense version of personal efficiency. The higher the number, the more efficient the scorer. To the right is effective Field Goal percentage.

Also, along the bottom I've completely adjusted the Team statistics I was using. All of these team stats are now tempo free. PPP is points per possession. Off Eff is Offensive Efficiency which is a measure of points scored per 100 possessions. Def Eff is Defensive Efficiency which is a measure of points allowed per 100 defensive possession . Pace is the average number of possessions per game. TO% is Turnover Percentage which is a measure of the number of possessions that result in a turnover. FTRate is Free Throw Rate, which is a measure of how efficient a team is at generating free throw opportunities off their shots.

Kim English is currently coming off the bench for Missouri. It will be interesting to see if Mike Anderson maintains that strategy tonight. This is the reason for the disparity between the benches. Further, Missouri hasn't played nearly the schedule that Vanderbilt has. So it's hard to effectively compare the numbers between teams. As it stands, Missouri has quite a few statistical edges on Vanderbilt. We will see how that plays out tonight. I suspect that the statistics don't quite reflect reality.

One thing I'd like to point out is that thus far, the Tigers are only averaging just over half an extra possession per game over the Commodores.

Gameday Links:

Vanderbilt needs Ogilvy to get physical | tennessean.com | The Tennessean

"I felt like I was really contributing," Ogilvy said. "I'm starting to feel better and get back into game shape. I think I played better in the last game, but I was trying to be aggressive the whole tournament. My role was a little more prominent in the last game. I think that's the only thing it was." Coach Kevin Stallings pointed out that Ogilvy's performance in the Arizona game was part of a strategy to go after Wildcats freshman Derrick Williams, who took 21 foul shots and scored 25 points against Wisconsin two days earlier. Williams attempted just two foul shots and fouled out after 14 minutes against the Commodores' big men. "We just kept going in there and A.J. just kept doing good things with it," Stallings said. "A.J. is in the process of getting back to 100 percent. We need him back to 100 percent if we are going to be who we want to be."

Vanderbilt's John Jenkins feels at ease | tennessean.com | The Tennessean

Polar opposites up next for VU hoops squad | Nashville City Paper

For Vanderbilt (4-1), the latter is particularly true this week. The Commodores face Missouri on Wednesday (8:30 p.m., ESPNU) and DePaul on Saturday (3 p.m.) in games that figure to have little in common other than that they’ll both be played at Memorial Gymnasium. Missouri (4-1) comes to town with a fast-paced, pressing approach. The Tigers average 22.4 forced turnovers and 14.2 steals per game in what they like to call "The Fastest 40 minutes in basketball." "In terms of Missouri’s fast-paced, frenetic style of play …and then DePaul, which is use the clock, slow you down and very, very patient and deliberate, it couldn’t be any more contrasting than the two styles we’ll see this week," Stallings said.

MU wants to pick up the pace against Vanderbilt | KansasCity.com

Bowers contends Missouri needs to average four possessions to every one possession of the opposition to keep the Tigers’ running game at an optimum level. That means pressure defense, creating turnovers, and up-tempo offense, finishing off fast breaks with points.

Good luck quadrupling Vandy's possessions tonight.

Mizzou to face more than just Vanderbilt | STLtoday.com

Some great quotes from coaches who have been rattled by the "arrangement" at Memorial.

Missouri men's basketball team prepares for unique gym | Columbia Missourian

A second article makes it seem like the aura of Memorial is definitely in their heads.

Previewing the Tigers: Missouri Comes to Memorial to Face the Commodores | Vanderbilt Sports Line

Before you dog Missouri too bad for losing to the Spiders, it's noteworthy that prior to playing Mizzou, Richmond knocked-off Mississippi State 63-62. I know they lost to Bill and Mary, but that was game 1 of the year, and clearly the Spiders are a team that might make some noise in the A-10. This is all a long way of saying that Mizzou's loss to seemingly lesser opponent should not lull Commodore fans to sleep on this team.

Tournament Bracketology: Week Three | Collegehoops.net

Interesting. CollegeHoopsNet.com has Vandy as the SEC Tournament winner and an 8 seed in their week three bracketology.

Ten sophomores who are poised for a breakout season in hoops | SI.com

Vandy forward Jeffery Taylor has gone from a great defender to another scoring option.

Check out the picture.

Cave Spring's Josh Henderson has a growing game | Roanoke.com

Nice article on one of the three basketball recruits that signed with Vanderbilt last month.

What to expect from elite freshmen in basketball's Age-Limit era | SI.com

There have been some impressive sleepers at wing forward with rankings of 61 and above: Purdue's Robbie Hummel had a 126.7 rating as the 62nd-ranked freshman in '07-08, Vanderbilt's Jeffery Taylor had a 106.6 rating as the 97th-rated freshman in '08-09, and West Virginia's Da'Sean Butler had a 107.1 rating as the 99th-ranked freshman in '06-07. All three of those players are All-America candidates this season.

Looking for more of a Missouri perspective? Head on over to Rock M Nation for their analysis.

Post your pregame predictions below. Also, make sure to head over to Stat-King to vote on who you think will be the best-performing Commodore this evening.

Poll

What will be the outcome of tonight's matchup with Missouri?

Vanderbilt by more than 7

7 votes

Vanderbilt by 7 or less

7 votes

Missouri by 7 of less

13 votes

Missouri by more than 7

8 votes

35 votes | Poll has closed

Mizzou Basketball Preview (Part Five): Industrial Strength

Michael Atchison — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:55:46 -0000

Photo: Parker Eshelman / The Trib

In the late 18th Century, a French gunsmith named Honoré Blanc appeared before a committee of scientists and demonstrated that a functional musket could be assembled by randomly selecting fabricated parts from various piles. While fellow Europeans were dismissive, Thomas Jefferson, American Ambassador to France, was enthralled with Blanc's manufacturing advance, and carried the concept across the Atlantic, where it was adopted by Eli Whitney, who spread the gospel of interchangeable parts stateside, thus hastening the arrival of the industrial revolution.

What, you may ask, does this have to do with Missouri basketball? To which, I respond, what doesn't it have to do with Missouri basketball?

Welcome to Mike Anderson, Year Four. Perfect the pieces, perfect the machine.

As J.T. Tiller begins his senior season, we reach a milestone, a culmination of the new generation. This season, for the first time, every second of every game will be played by athletes who have known no coach but Mike Anderson. By reviving the program and remaking the roster, Mike Anderson now owns Missouri basketball.

All of the players recruited by the previous regime are gone. And though Mizzou will hardly be better off without Leo Lyons and Matt Lawrence, they were molded to fit the program, not manufactured for it. For the first time, every man on the squad was hand-selected by Mike Anderson not for what they are - guard, forward, center - but what they do - defend, disrupt, demoralize. Anderson no longer has a lineup, he has an assembly line.

Tiller and Taylor. Denmon and Dixon. Paul and English. Drive, dish, drop a three.

Ramsey. Safford. Bowers. Moore. Bang, board, block a shot.

Plug them in. Swap them out. Fire up the machine.

Anderson has already changed the program by changing the axis. A vertical game played at the rim is now a horizontal game played on the run. And this season, the industrious evolution continues beyond mere basketball. Anderson won't make substitutions. He'll change lines - Tiller, Taylor and English hit the bench while Denmon, Dixon and Paul hop the boards. Welcome to Hockey Night in Columbia. He won't take time outs. He'll take on fuel and tires. Welcome to the Hardwood 400.

Change the parts, change the game.

What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago, I wrote that Mizzou hoops had lost its connection with the fans, that it had been completely eclipsed by football, and that it was time to believe again. But last season's Tigers embodied the hoariest Missouri cliché. They were a Show-Me team. They showed everyone through their tenacity, through their triumph, and through their embrace of the fans who embraced them back. Last November, if I had asked which of Missouri's big revenue programs inspired the most faith in you, I know what the answer would have been. And if I asked the same question now, I'll wager the answer might be different.

Recently, Mike DeArmond wrote of how Fight Night at the Athena became the portal from past to future. It's when the bad blood was washed away and the true Tigers stood up. Since that moment, what defines Mike Anderson basketball has come into sharp relief: effort, heart, commitment. These Tigers know how to play, and they love to play. And there's nothing a Missouri crowd loves more.

What happened last year, wasn't just magical, it was methodical. It was a process that peaked earlier than expected. It was also more than that. I'm not much for supernatural explanations for athletic success. Carolina and Kansas don't win because of want-to or momentum or chemistry. They win because they have bigger, better, more skilled players, and coaches who orchestrate success. But watching Missouri's paranormal run through the NCAA Tournament last year led me to believe in the unseen. As the Tigers dissected one of the field's favorites in the sweet sixteen, it struck me that John Calipari probably wouldn't have recruited a single player in a Mizzou uniform. It wasn't that they couldn't play the game, it was that they didn't look the part. Their merits couldn't be measured by a tape or a scale. J.T. Tiller wasn't born to play guard, he was born to play hard. Every player on that team internalized the things that Tiller and Mike Anderson and DeMarre Carroll were and are all about. The conditioning, the will, the dedication. And those things will carry over to this season and beyond. Kim English, Marcus Denmon, Justin Safford, Keith Ramsey - they all have it. The hunger to run one more mile, to shoot one more shot, to dive for one more loose ball, their own internal combustion engines. They might look different, but they're all the same. Cut them open, it's plain to see.

These Tigers have interchangeable hearts.

Mizzou Basketball Preview (Part Two): The Beef and Great Expectations

Bill C. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:00:31 -0000

Part Two of our basketball preview comes from The Beef.

So what role do I get to play in this week-long Mizzou hoops preview? Why that of Bob Bummer of course. Would you truly want it any other way?

Right after the Alamo Bowl, I wrote a piece where I "waxed poetic" about expectations and how they worked to degrade my enjoyment of a 10-win season of the football team. Now, I sit here with the basketball program coming off a 31-win, Big XII Tourney champ season and an Elite 8 appearance and returning perhaps the most likable crew in MU basketball history. I have been around the some of the fan sites and have seen much of the pushback of the Tigers being picked 7th and what-not. So to start, lets reflect back and see if we can apply it to this coming team.

In the end, I am not here to tell you how to be a fan....no one can do that. ... When you start to take success for granted, you have very little space in which to be able to enjoy a season like we all did in 2007, but a hell of a lot more space to be disappointed about it, even when it might not merit it.

Obviously taking out the dates and the fact it was written about football, I think some themes ring true here. Last year’s team was magical and something we all probably enjoyed about as much as any other Mizzou hoops team in our memory. We knew we had some pieces, but there was quite a bit still unproven and the way it came together at the end was just a site to behold. And while the UCONN loss was disappointing because it kept us from achieving something not ever done here, there was still not a truthfully disappointed fan for the outcome of the season.

But, as the Byrds once predicted, we turn turn turn the season to this year. Gone are three seniors each with their own niche in Mizzou basketball history. Few people were as loved as quickly as Demarre became (ask the common fan and they would probably tell you JYD was a 4-year guy…think about it…you know it is probably true). Leo earned a wonderful meme, and in the end, did away with some of the disappointment and underachieving strapped to him in his early days. And Matt Lawrence finished his career as the consummate role player, and who doesn’t love a role player? However, their departure also takes about 40 points, 15.5 boards per game and about 36% of the minutes played per game. That is just under half our scoring and well over a third of our rebounding redistributed to professional basketball all over the world.

Again, I cannot think of a team with more likable characters returning than this one. J.T. Tiller and Zaire Taylor are receiving some due accolades for the backcourt they will create. Keith Ramsey and Laurence Bowers have a tremendous knack for firing up the crowd with a huge dunk or block. Everyone really is high on Justin Safford and the great improvement he showed from a shaky freshman campaign. Marcus Denmon forever endeared himself to Mizzou fans for the buzzer beater against Memphis on the grandest stage. And Kim English…well…he truly is one in a million when it comes to a great many things.

The fact is, however, we are expecting some impressive improvement from this crew, and I fear we might be reaching just a bit. I will certainly say a nice thing about a system is that totals and averages are not as likely to move much from year to year (especially if the system and recruiting is solid). But, the Bob Bummer in me says the system has yet to have to replace the kind of scoring, rebounding and leadership we just lost. Leadership I am not worried about. However scoring and rebounding could be another. Don’t get me wrong, I think there are potential replacements, but we are also going to be asking a lot from these people…perhaps too much. And that all comes back to expectations. Which means I will end this piece the way I ended the piece about football. This is going to be a tremendously fun team to watch with personalities who will never be forgotten. The future is bright, and could be potentially brighter in the coming days and weeks depending on how things break. Remember to appreciate what we have rather than looking towards to what you THINK we should have. It is a tough thing to do (as the Illinois football game proves on a daily basis in Tiger-land), but I think the big picture is so bright we should not let something immediate perhaps sully it.

Mizzou Basketball Preview (Part One): You Never Know, Take Two

Bill C. — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:00:35 -0000

College football has always been and will always be my favorite sport. That's just the way it is. And even when Mizzou had heavy basketball expectations in the early part of the decade while, simultaneously, the football team was half-wretched, I couldn't really throw myself into basketball until football officially ended. This was never more so than a year ago. As Mizzou was trying to win their 30th football game in three seasons last November, Mizzou Basketball was pushing forward in anonymity. Maybe this team could be decent, maybe not. We didn't know for sure, and with football on the forefront, we didn't really care yet. And then last season happened.

You really do not ever know when something amazing will take place and suck you in, and while I'm sure we'd all love to be fans of a school that is perpetually in the national title hunt in both major sports (and minor ones too), it usually doesn't happen that way. What we witnessed last year was potentially the greatest set of personalities Mizzou Basketball has ever produced, winning more games than Mizzou has ever won. We saw DeMarre Carroll bawling on Senior Night, Leo Lyons maturing at the latest possible opportunity, J.T. Tiller scoring clutch points with an injured hand, Zaire Taylor becoming Mr. Coffee, Matt Lawrence becoming lovable GOOOOOOOOOSE, Marcus Denmon nailing a three-quarter court shot against Memphis (and creating great stories like this one), Laurence Bowers throwing down dunks from stupid angles, Justin Safford becoming a better Travon Bryant, Keith Ramsey swatting shots into the sixth row, MIguel Paul trying to get his brain to go as fast as his feet, Jared Sutton seemingly making 115% of his junk-time three-pointers ... and Kim English being Kim English.

The love even continued in the offseason, as English discovered Twitter and Tiller started showing up at every sporting event for every Mizzou squad.

Last season really was potentially the most emotionally rewarding Mizzou season I have witnessed in any sport, even when compared to the 2007 football season. When I realized that basketball season was starting soon, I just smiled. Not because I thought we would win another 31 games and go to another Elite Eight (though, knowing this group, it would be silly to completely count it out), but because I was simply happy to have these guys back in my life again. It's going to be fun.

With that said, I thought it appropriate to relive one of my favorite posts that I've ever written, my "You Never Know" post from the morning before the Sweet Sixteen game against Memphis. Let all the emotions come flooding back to you, and get as psyched for basketball season as I am.

I'm not going to lie. Four months ago, I was worried about this basketball program. And it really didn't even have that much to do with the team on the court. I was happy about the new blood, I thought a low seed in the NCAA Tournament was at least plausible enough to aim for it, and I still thought Mike Anderson really might be able to put together some winning records here.

That said, I was worried about the program as a whole, meaning fans, attendance, money generated, etc. There had been two entire four-year classes ('04-'07, '05-'08) that had come to the university and graduated without seeing their team go to the NCAA Tournament. That hadn't happened since well before I was born. The thought of having a great basketball program was something of a joke (I think we even made some of those jokes on RMN in a football podcast way back when). I mean, hell, look at how hard we were struggling to find great, encouraging things to say about the team not that long ago. Even if we snuck into the tourney as a 10-seed or something, would anybody notice? That's the basketball version of making the Independence Bowl. Would a connection still have been made?

Now look at us. Again, I'm not necessarily talking about the 30 wins, the Sweet Sixteen, and the Big 12 Tournament title, though that's been absolutely fantastic. I'm talking about more than that. In just four months (and really, it's been less than three), this university has grown to love its basketball team again.

Everything that happened to connect Mizzou Football to its fans in the last couple of years--the personalities (Daniel, 'Spoon, MotherRucker), the sick athletes (Maclin, Willy Mo), the wins (I don't know if you've heard this, but we won 30 games in three years), the forever-memorable moments (Sod Reesing, the Cotton Bowl, Maclin's kick returns, Coffman's nunchuk thrusts), the SI covers--has happened to Missouri basketball. Personality? This team has DeMarre's hair, and Leo's humor, and Goose's self-deprecation, and Zaire sticking out his tongue, and JT Tiller's lack of regard for human life. Wins? This team has more wins than any Mizzou squad has ever compiled. Moments? How about the win over Kansas? Kim English's free-throws against Marquette? Zaire's drive against Texas? Laurence Bowers' SportsCenter dunks? Goose's clutch 3's in the Big 12 tourney? JT Tiller's jump balls against Kansas? Is that enough for you? How about the win in Stillwater? The absolute destruction of team after team in Mizzou Arena? JYD's timely putbacks? Hell, they even had a (regional) SI cover as well.

How far have we come? Four months ago, Zaire Taylor was a decent defensive point guard who didn't shoot enough. Now he's Mr. Coffee. Always Be Closing. Four months ago, Laurence Bowers was a thin, anonymous freshman forward with some athletic ability. Now he's the Party Starter. Four months ago, Kim English was a lovable gymrat who talked a big game but had plenty to learn about how to play college basketball. Now he's put together possibly the most successful, most memorable postseason performance ever for a Mizzou freshman.

And it goes on. Four months ago, Matt Lawrence was a much-maligned three-point specialist who, for long stretches of time, couldn't even seem to specialize in three-pointers. He was given the nickname of Grey Goose, and not necessarily as a compliment. Now he's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!! Four months ago, DeMarre Carroll was a scrappy player, fun to watch, but limited in size and shooting ability. Now he's JYD, a rangy, rugged all-conference forward in a conference full of great forwards.

Four months ago, JT Tiller was an intense, rather out-of-control guard who had brilliant stretches of defensive play among brainfarts and foul trouble. Now, he's not only Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, but (listen up, Marquette fans) also a ballsy, clutch shooter (see: two FTs against Marquette with 90 seconds left, go-ahead jumper against KU with 50 seconds left).

And then there's Leo. Four months ago, Leo Lyons was an enigmatic, moody, rather schizophrenic player who could be amazing one moment and pouting on the bench for most of a game the next. Now, he's Good Leo, an enigmatic, moody, rather schizophrenic player who has been amazing for most of his only NCAA Tournament, who never turned his brain off after getting pushed and hacked for a good portion of the second half against Marquette, and who persevered in the form of a clutch 3-point play and three big-time free throws in the last minute. Against heavy odds, Leo will end up being remembered for his play down the stretch of his senior season* instead of the suspensions and frustrating tendencies of his first 3.5 seasons.

* And for Leo Lyons' Planet.

And possibly most importantly, four months ago, Mike Anderson was a likable coach who brought an entertaining brand of basketball to Columbia, but who hadn't shown many game-coaching chops, had briefly let bad characters take over his program, and was already having his name come up in the "I'm not saying he has to win this season, but he might not get more than four seasons if Mizzou doesn't start to improve" type of speculation. No one knew if his style would work in the Big 12, if his program would be able to attract the caliber of athletes it would take to succeed with his style, if he would be able to guide Mizzou to the NCAA Tourney, or if the fans would ever come back en masse to Mizzou Arena.

Now, he's the subject of the "Other teams want our coach because he's so great" type of speculation. If there's a cloud in the Mizzou sky right now, it's because of the lingering (and small) possibility that he still may be coaching elsewhere next year. But that cloud is slowly dissipating, and besides...next year is next year, and memories don't go away. Missouri is back, and it is because of Mike Anderson.

I mentioned yesterday that when Missouri faces a game they're supposed to lose, I start getting defiantly confident as game time approaches. But despite my own confidence, I realize that when Missouri and Memphis tip off at 8:37(ish) tonight, it very well might be the last time we see Leo Lyons, DeMarre Carroll, and Matt Lawrence in a Missouri uniform. Hell, I doubt it, but this could be the last time we see Mike Anderson roaming the Missouri sideline. A lot could change after tonight, but what won't is the simple fact that Missouri loves its basketball again, and watching and feeling this unexpected connection this team's players and coaches--every single one of them--has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've had as a fan.

Once again, I'm not going to lie. I look at these pictures, and as they say, it gets a little dusty in my house. It's hard to believe that something so simple (sports team wins games, fans rejoice) could end up being so emotionally, and unexpectedly, satisfying as this 2008-09 basketball season has been. Win or lose tonight, the impact has been made. You truly never know when seasons like this will come about (if they ever will, or if they ever will again), and while you live your life as a sports fan full of hope and faith (and lots of frustration), you have to hold closely the great moments that do happen, and there's just no question that I'll remember every moment of this season for a long, long time. To DeMarre Carroll, Leo Lyons, Matt Lawrence, Zaire Taylor, J.T. Tiller, Kim English, Laurence Bowers, Justin Safford, Keith Ramsey, Marcus Denmon, Miguel Paul, Steve Moore, Jarrett Sutton, and Michael Anderson Jr., I salute you.

(Or as Norman Dale would say, "I love you guys.")

But all that said, why don't we keep this train rolling for another few games?

Recap of "Five Questions For..."

Evan Pfaff — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:15:21 -0000

For the past 12 days we have asked “Five Questions For…” each Big 12 school. In case you missed one, after the jump you can read the questions we have for all the hoops programs in the conference.

Have more questions, or comments on the questions? Leave a comment.

Missouri

1) How can Mizzou replace the loss of DeMarre Carroll, Leo Lyons and Matt Lawrence?

2) Can Mizzou sustain the momentum that led them to a Big 12 tournament championship and Elite Eight run last season?

3) Now that Coach Mike Anderson has a squad made up entirely of his recruits, can the "Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball" be even better?

4) Who will step up in the frontcourt for Mizzou? Steve Moore, Laurence Bowers, Keith Ramsey, Justin Safford?

5) Will this be the year Mizzou beats Illinois for the first time in 10 years in the "Busch Bragging Rights" game?

Kansas

1) Can the Jayhawks meet preseason expectations of being ranked #1 nationally in a lot of publications?

2) Can Kansas put their offseason troubles behind them?

3) Exactly how good is freshman Xavier Henry?

4) Will Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins both perform at All Big 12 levels?

5) Can anyone tell the Morris twins apart?

Colorado

1) Now that Jeff Bzdelik is in his third year, can he bring a winning season to Boulder?

2) If not, how much longer will the CU AD go on with the Bzdelik experiment?

3) Can Cory Higgins perform up to his 08-09 level, when he placed fifth in the conference in scoring?

4) Who else steps up for the Buffaloes?

5) Will the Buffaloes improve upon last season's 1-15 conference record?

Iowa State

1) Can Craig Brackins get any help, or will it again be a one man show?

2) Can the Cyclones crack the top half of the Big 12 North division?

3) Is there still "Hilton Magic" in Ames?

4) One publication listed Greg McDermott as being on the "hot seat." What does he need to do to get off it?

5) After 4 straight conference seasons with a losing record, can the Cyclones better the .500 mark this year?

Kansas State

1) Frank Martin brings the 20^th ranked recruiting class to Manhattan. How can the 5 freshmen gel with the veterans?

2) Is Denis Clemente the most fun player to watch in the conference?

3) Can 6-10 UConn transfer Curtis Kelly shore up the frontline for the Wildcats?

4) Is K-State a legitimate program again after nearly a decade of meritocracy (sans the Bill Walker, Michael Beasley year)?

5) What can we expect from freshman Wally Judge?

Nebraska

1) Last year NU was the smallest team in college basketball. This year they brought in some size, will that help?

2) Will Doc Sadler's JUCO coaching experience help the three incoming JUCO transfers adjust to division 1 basketball?

3) Nebraska hasn't had a winning record this decade. Will they go 10 for 10 in losing seasons?

4) How will the team cope with two transfers leaving Lincoln?

5) Who wins more conference games, NU football or NU basketball?

Oklahoma

1) How does Oklahoma replace Blake Griffin?

2) Can Willie Warren be "the man"?

3) Can 6-8, 300 lb freshman Tiny Gallon play big in his first year in the Big 12?

4) Does Oklahoma mind being second fiddle in the Big 12 South?

5) Will inexperience in the frontcourt hurt Oklahoma's chances of making a deep run in the NCAA tournament?

Texas

1) Who will play the majority of the year, the Dexter Pittman who dominated the end of last season or the Dexter Pittman who was essentially non-existent for the first half?

2) Is freshman Avery Bradley as good as advertised?

3) Can the team get back to its first Final Four since 2003?

4) Did Damion James make the right move in returning for his senior season?

5) Between Dogus Balbay, Jai Lucas and J'Covan Brown, who will win the battle for starting PG spot?

Oklahoma State

1) Will Travis Ford's first full recruiting class bring a Big 12 championship to Stillwater?

2) With the loss of Byron Eaton, yet 4 of the top 6 scorers returning, can the Cowboys continue to put lots of points on the board?

3) How much better can James Anderson get?

4) Obi Muonelo played out of position last year. Will the right placement on the floor help the senior better his 12.7 ppg average from last year?

5) OK State will be bigger this year... but also slower. Will that hinder their ability to run with some of the Big 12 teams?

Texas Tech

1) Junior guard Mike Singletary lit up Texas A&M for a near conference tournament record 43 points last season. Will he continue to put the ball in the basket this season?

2) Will Pat Knight's second full season be an improvement over his first?

3) Is Pat Knight on the hot seat?

4) Do the Red Raiders have the personnel to match Knight's emphasis on defense this year?

5) Will all the new JUCO players pan out for the Red Raiders?

Texas A&M

1) How can the Aggies replace Josh Carter?

2) Some publications think the Aggies will finish in the top 4 in the conference. Can this team meet those expectations?

3) Mark Turgeon is in his third year in College Station. Now that he has a roster made up of mostly his guys, can the Aggies crack the upper 1/3 of the conference?

4) Will the four freshman have the impact Turgeon is hoping for?

5) The Aggies have made a school record 4 consecutive NCAA tournaments. Will the streak continue this year?

Baylor

1) Can the Bears rebound from the loss of 50% of their scoring and 2/3 of their assists due to graduation?

2) Coach Scott Drew can recruit, but can he coach those guys to a third straight post season tournament?

3) Can Michigan transfer Ekpe Udoh be the defensive force Bears fans are expecting from the 6-10 center?

4) Did highly ranked recruit Nolan Dennis make the right decision in rescinding his verbal from Memphis and commit to Baylor?

5) Who will be the go-to guy this year, LaceDarius Dunn, Tweety Carter or one of the freshman?

The College Brand vs the NBA's

Evan Pfaff — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:48:42 -0000

More photos » by Chuck Burton - AP

Is it more fun to see DeMarre Carroll take it to the rack as a student-athlete or a pro? (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Browse more photos »

I split Denver Nuggets season tickets with a few friends and two weeks ago we held our lottery to see which games we were going to this year. High on my list were the two Memphis Grizzlies games, and for those knowledgeable with my Mizzou infatuation, you will understand the reason: former Mizzou standout, and current NBA rookie, DeMarre Carroll.

So this past Sunday I went to the Nuggets-Grizzlies game, which turned out to be a defensive-minded 133-123 slugfest.

Having these Nuggets season tickets, and being a season ticket holder before, I have seen a good amount of NBA games despite not growing up liking or caring about the pro style.

I grew up in a college town (Columbus, OH) and went to school in a state without pro basketball, so naturally the NBA was not a high priority on my watch list. Even while my Chicago-raised college friends were watching Jordan win 6 NBA titles, I didn't pay much attention.

That changed when I moved to Denver and started following the then-lowly Nuggets. I started watching them because nobody else was. They would win less that 20 games per season when I moved to town and I could get front row seats from scalpers for $10 or $15 a ticket. At that time I wouldn't miss it when the Clippers visited to catch Keyon Dooling.

Fast forward nearly 10 years, and you can catch me watching the Nuggets through most of their 82 games.

During the fall and winter months, if I am watching sports, the only thing that supersedes the Nuggets would be when Mizzou is on (thanks to the Full Court package I haven't missed a Mizzou game in years).

So with that as a background, I can say with good accuracy that I now know both the NBA and college games. How they operate and the difference between the two.

For my money, I would take a game between student-athletes over a one played by millionaires.

I feel the innocence of the college game makes it the better spectator sport. Sure you will have corruption with some of the kids, agents and money grabbers lurking in the background, but that happens only to a limited number of college kids. For the most part, the superstar on a college program may have someone with malice intension giving them direction, but, for the most part, the other 4 on the floor and all those coming off the bench are playing for the pure love of the sport, and a free education.

In the pros you have businessmen. These people are individual corporations. The league MINIMUM for a rookie this year is over $450,000. Which means if you have never played an NBA game and make a roster, you are guaranteed nearly a half a million dollars to suit up and ride the pine.

So let's take a look at the typical last man off the bench who might fit this bill in both pros and college.

The last man off the bench in college is generally a walk-on, or former walk-on now on scholarship. When they get in the crowd is behind them, chanting their name (think Rudy) and their teammates do whatever they can to get the kid an open shot.

Conversely in the pros, the last man off the bench is fighting to stay in the league. If they are a rookie, making nearly half a million dollars, they know they need stats to keep them on the payroll. Consequently when they do get into the game, generally during blowouts, they are more likely to do things to get in the scorebook. Jacking shots and being selfish. Their teammates are generally in the same boat as them, and are also looking to jack shots, get in the books and keep their jobs.

NBA apologists like ESPN's Colin Cowherd will say that the athleticism, speed and size of the NBA makes it a better sell than the college version. And he, and others who make this argument, are right. The NBA is bigger, faster and more athletic. But that doesn't make it better... does it?

To quote my buddy Gus in the midst of the Nuggets-Grizzlies game, "In college DeMarre would regularly be the tallest guy on the court." Now the 6-8, 225 pounder is playing small forward and matching up against the first week NBA MVP in Carmelo Anthony.

So what? Does the JYD's reduced size make him less of a player? Or make that brand of hoops any better? I don't see how you can argue that.

If proportionally everyone is taller in the NBA than college, what is the difference? In college you might have a 6-8 center and 6-0 guard. In pros it will be a 6-4 guard and 7-0 center. Proportions remain the same. No advantage.

On Sunday you could also look across the bench at fellow rookie, and former North Carolina Tar Heel, Denver Nugget Ty Lawson and compare speed.

Last year Lawson was sprinting up and down the floor, leading Carolina to the national championship. This year he is one of the fastest guys on the court, but not necessarily the fastest guy out there. Defensive players are getting back and can now front him.

Does this make it better? For my money, I would like to see a guy sprint down the floor and go in for a two handed jam, than to see him pull up at the free throw line and attempt a shot. And for those claiming this makes the NBA better, besides the excitement of a dunk, if it is your team, which would you rather have your guy shoot? A high percentage lay-up/dunk with a possibility of an And One or a pull up 15 footer?

And as for excitement. What is better? March Madness or the NBA playoffs?

Another way to ask this question, three weeks of knock-out basketball or a playoff series that takes three weeks to complete.

What do you think?

And while this argument is based solely that college is better, that doesn't discredit the NBA. It is still FANtastic, but in comparing the 2, it sink to the bottom.

As an aside, if you are interested in following the Denver Nuggets, check out our SB Nation friends over at Denver Stiffs. They put on a good show.

Poll

Which is your cup of tea?

College basketball

32 votes

NBA basketball

13 votes

45 votes | Poll has closed

Big 12ers on NBA Opening Night Rosters

Evan Pfaff — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:50:33 -0000

More photos » by Bill Kostroun - AP

NBA commissioner David Stern has 35 Big 12 alumni in his Association. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Browse more photos »

Since our posting about Big 12ers on NBA Training Camp Rosters, a few have made some moves... so with the NBA tipping off tonight, after the Jump is a recap of all Big 12 alumni currently on NBA rosters.

Since the last post the number of Big 12 alumni on NBA rosters has slipped from 40 to 35.

Kansas has put the most people in the Association with 9. Iowa State the least with no current players.

The school by school count: Baylor (1), Colorado (1), Kansas (9), Kansas State (2), Missouri (3), Nebraska (1), Oklahoma (3), Oklahoma State (4), Texas (7), Texas A&M (3), Texas Tech (1).

There are two sets of Big 12 brothers in the league, Blake and Taylor Griffin and Kareem and Brandon Rush.

And the team to watch if you follow Big 12 Hoops? The LA Clippers, who have 4 on their roster.

Feel free to comment if any moves happen.

Atlanta Hawks

Maurice Evans - Texas

Boston Celtics

Tony Allen - Oklahoma State

Paul Pierce - Kansas

Bill Walker - Kansas State

Charlotte Bobcats

DJ Augustin - Texas

Stephen Graham - Oklahoma State

Chicago Bulls

Kirk Hinrich - Kansas

Cleveland Cavs

Daniel Gibson - Texas

Darnell Jackson - Kansas

Dallas Mavericks

Drew Gooden - Kansas

Denver Nuggets

Chauncey Billups - Colorado

Joey Graham - Oklahoma State

Detroit Pistons

NONE

Golden State Warriors

Acie Law - Texas A&M

Mikki Moore - Nebraska

Houston Rockets

NONE

Indiana Pacers

TJ Ford - Texas

Brandon Rush - Kansas

LA Clippers

Blake Griffin - Oklahoma

Kareem Rush - Missouri

DeAndrea Jordan - Texas A&M

Brian Skinner - Baylor

LA Lakers

NONE

Miami Heat

Michael Beasley - Kansas State

Mario Chalmers - Kansas

Memphis Grizzlies

Darrell Arthur - Kansas

DeMarre Carroll - Missouri

Milwaukee Bucks

NONE

Minnesota Timberwolves

NONE

New Jersey Nets

Tony Battie - Texas Tech

Keyon Dooling - Missouri

Eduardo Najera - Oklahoma

New Orleans Hornets

Julian Wright - Kansas

New York Knicks

NONE

Oklahoma City Thunder

Nick Collison - Kansas

Kevin Durant - Texas

Orlando Magic

NONE

Philadelphia 76ers

Royal Ivey - Texas

Phoenix Suns

Taylor Griffin - Oklahoma

Portland Trailblazers

LaMarcus Aldridge - Texas

Sacramento Kings

Desmond Mason - Oklahoma State

San Antonio Spurs

NONE

Toronto Raptors

Antoine Wright - Texas A&M

Utah jazz

NONE

Washington Wizards

NONE

Poll

Which Big 12 rookie are you most excited to see this year?

Blake Griffin - LA Clippers

12 votes

DeMarre Carroll - Memphis Grizzlies

29 votes

41 votes | Poll has closed

Mizzou Links, 10-27-09

Bill C. — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:27:51 -0000

Colorado/Media Day Links!

MUtigers.com: OFFICIAL RELEASE
Obviously, Mizzou has had a rough go of it the past three weeks, but the fact remains that the future is bright in Columbia, as the Tigers are a very young team. Picked to finish third this season in the Big 12 North Division, the Tigers began the season hoping to successfully defend its 2007 and 2008 North Division titles. ...

While Head Coach Gary Pinkel would never offer up youth as an excuse for anything, the fact remains that this team is very young, with only 15 seniors on the roster. Of those, only six are projected to start on offense/defense Saturday against Colorado, with only eight total who are on the two-deep entering the game. That’s a stark contrast to 2008, when the Tigers began the season with 12 senior starters (5 on offense and 7 on defense).
MUtigers.com: Missouri Football Team Hosts Media Day
The Trib: Tigers Meet the Press
KC Star: MU's Gabbert sports new cast, still plans to play
Post-Dispatch: Pinkel seeks way to reach his team
Post-Dispatch: Blaine Gabbert remains focused on Buffs
While X-rays taken over the weekend continue to show no structural damage, MU offensive coordinator Dave Yost said Monday, Gabbert's status still hinges on practice today and Wednesday. "Our deal is if you don't practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, you don't play," Yost said.

Based on information from MU's training staff, Yost and coach Gary Pinkel expect Gabbert will practice. Still, Yost said they'd have to see "how it is when they take it out of the cast, and go from there."
PowerMizzou: PMTV: Tigers meet the media
PowerMizzou: Audio: Pinkel and Hawkins Talk
Denver Post: Dan Hawkins: Tyler Hansen 'still the guy'

SB Nation - DeMarre Carroll

Big 12 All Decade Team

First Team All Big 12

Second Team All Big 12

Third Team All Big 12

All Big 12 - Honorable Mention

Study Hall: Mizzou vs Oregon

Mizzou 106, Oregon 69

Player Stats

Mizzou vs "Real" Opponents*

Player Stats

Summary

Periscope: Vanderbilt vs. Missouri

What will be the outcome of tonight's matchup with Missouri?

Vanderbilt by more than 7

Vanderbilt by 7 or less

Missouri by 7 of less

Missouri by more than 7

Mizzou Basketball Preview (Part Five): Industrial Strength

Mizzou Basketball Preview (Part Two): The Beef and Great Expectations

Mizzou Basketball Preview

Mizzou Basketball Preview Series

Mizzou Basketball Preview (Part One): You Never Know, Take Two

Mizzou Basketball Preview

Mizzou Basketball Preview Series

Recap of "Five Questions For..."

The College Brand vs the NBA's

Which is your cup of tea?

College basketball

NBA basketball

Big 12ers on NBA Opening Night Rosters

Which Big 12 rookie are you most excited to see this year?

Blake Griffin - LA Clippers

DeMarre Carroll - Memphis Grizzlies

Mizzou Links, 10-27-09