TIPOFF: 12:47 p.m. CST. ARENA: Mizzou Arena - Columbia, Mo. (15,061). TV: ESPN-Plus (Dave Armstrong play-by-play; Jon Sundvold analyst). RADIO: Tiger Radio Network (Mike Kelly play-by-play; Gary Link analyst). Also available on Sirius Ch. 110. RANKINGS: Mizzou: NR/NR Texas: 12/13 SERIES: Texas leads 11-8; last Texas won 88-68 on Jan. 10, 2007, in Austin. COACHES: Mizzou:Mike Anderson (Tulsa ’82); 117-58 overall (6th season); 28-17 at Mizzou (2nd). Texas: Rick Barnes (Lenoir-Rhyne ’77); 431-222 overall (21st season); 229-88 at Texas (10th).
FOR OPENERS
Mizzou raced through its non-Big 12 home slate undefeated for the second consecutive season and now the Tigers look to add to their 12-game home court winning streak on Saturday when they face No. 12 Texas at Mizzou Arena ... A win for the Tigers would be their 13th consecutive home win, which would be the longest in the history of Mizzou Arena and the 10th longest home-court run in school history ... That 12-game winning streak also ranks No. 16 nationally.
Mizzou Arena has been a terror dome for opponents during the Anderson era and the Tigers hope to keep that trend alive as they begin Big 12 play ... Missouri won all-nine of its non-conference games by double-figure margins, averaged a robust 85.3 points in the process and earned seven of nine wins by 20-point margins.
Although the Tigers are playing their second ranked foe of the year, Mizzou’s non-conference schedule should have them well prepared for the start of Big 12 play ... A unique aspect of Missouri’s tough schedule thus far is that the Tigers have played teams from a variety of power conferences ... Mizzou has played Michigan State, Purdue and Illinois from the Big Ten, Maryland from the ACC, Arkansas and Mississippi State from the SEC and Cal from the Pac-10.
Despite the tough schedule, three of Missouri’s losses have come by a combined seven points to programs that participated in NCAA Tournament play last season and in the Tigers’ five losses this season, they have either been in the lead or in a one-possession game in the final 6:23 of each contest.
Missouri continues to be the nation’s No. 1 team at defending the three-point arc this season, as foes are shooting just 25.8 percent from bonus distance against them ... Missouri’s three-point defense easily leads the Big 12 ... Oklahoma is second at 29.4 percent ... Over the last 11 games, opponents are shooting just 48-of-200 from three (.240) vs. the Tiger defense.
A by-product of Missouri’s great perimeter defense has been some huge scoring runs ... The Tigers have had seven runs of 20+ points this season, including a 34-2 run vs. McNeese State and a 24-4 run to close out Purdue ... Mizzou also outscored UMKC by 20 in the second half on Tuesday.
In addition to three-point defense, Missouri ranks among the national leaders in both assists and steals, two key by-products of their fast-paced style of play ... Mizzou ranks No. 8 nationally in both categories, with 19.0 dimes and 10.6 steals coming each time out ... The Tigers also rank No. 2 in the Big 12 in both categories.
MIZZOU QUICK-HITTERS
Mizzou continues its 102nd season of college basketball on Saturday afternoon when it faces No. 12 Texas in Columbia.
The Tigers are welcoming their first ranked opponent of the season into Mizzou Arena after playing a pair of preseason Top 25 teams, Michigan State (neutral court) and Arkansas (road) in the non-conference schedule.
Mizzou is 6-5 all-time in Big 12 Conference openers, with the last win coming on Jan. 7, 2006, vs. Oklahoma State at Mizzou Arena.
In Big 12 home-openers, the Tigers are 9-2 all-time, with each of those losses coming to Iowa State.
As is the case with many teams across the country, Mizzou has been a buzz saw at home this year ... In running their mark to 9-0 at Mizzou Arena, the Tigers have averaged a 27.6 ppg. margin of victory on Norm Stewart Court.
In fact, Mizzou has enjoyed double-figure wins in all-nine home games this year, with six of their last eight home wins coming by 30+ points.
ESPN’s Pat Forde named Mizzou Arena the No. 1 “New School” college basketball arena in America ... Who can argue?, the place is loaded!
Missouri has already topped 50 points in a half five times this season after accomplishing that feat just twice over the last three years combined.
The Tigers scored a season high 61 points in the second half against UMKC, which was the most since Missouri scored 64 against Chicago State on Dec. 2, 1995.
Mizzou enjoyed its best shooting half of the year en route to those 61 points ... The Tigers hit 22-of-31 shots leading to that 71-percent shooting over the final 20 minutes, the best shooting half in the history of Mizzou Arena.
Overall, Missouri ranks No. 22 nationally in scoring at 82.1 points per game.
Although the Tigers are clicking offensively, the team’s defensive pressure may actually be picking up following last season’s school record 302 steals ... The Tigers have forced 304 turnovers (158 steals) in 15 games this season ... Last year, Mizzou led the Big 12 with 10.1 steals and 18.9 turnovers per game and are averaging 10.5 steals and 20.3 turnovers forced per game this year, including the 23 turnovers forced vs. 2007 NCAA Tournament qualifiers Maryland and Arkansas.
Conversely, the Tigers are turning the ball over just 13.7 times per game.
Mizzou has done an excellent job converting off those miscues and are averaging 24.7 points per game off turnovers ... When you break down the numbers, Missouri is scoring 30.1 percent of its points off of turnovers (24.7-of-82.1 ppg).
Overall, the Tigers are forcing a turnover on every six possessions, which allows them to average 8.1 more shots per game than their opponents.
In addition to steals, a trademark of Mike Anderson-coached teams has been assist totals and the Tigers are recording assists on 63.4 percent of their buckets this season (284 assists on 448 FG’s).
When you take Missouri’s 47 “put-back” buckets out of the equation, the Tigers are averaging assists on 69.8 percent of their field goals.
Overall, Missouri’s 19.0 assists per game rank No. 8 nationally and has the club on pace to finish third all-time with 608 assists.
Even with the club’s fast-paced style of play, Missouri boasts a 1.4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio on the season, which ranks No. 13 nationally.
To put Missouri’s assist/turnover numbers in perspective, through 15 games last season (versus a much lighter strength of schedule), Missouri had 245 assists and 238 turnovers and had just a 1.1-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio as a team.
This year Missouri has 284 assists, 205 turnovers and that 1.4-to-1 assist to turnover ratio.
The Tigers boast a +6.6 turnover margin on the year, which ranks among the best in America, due in large part to the fact their 13.7 turnovers committed per game rank No. 20 nationally.
Missouri has flashed a balanced playing rotation, as nine Tigers are averaging at least 12.6 minutes per game and no player is averaging more than 27.1 minutes.
Missouri has topped double figures in three-point makes three times this year, including a season high 11 vs. McNeese State ... The Tigers also hit 10 three-pointer vs. Michigan State and Southern.
TIGER TIDBITS (Individual Notes)
The Junk Yard Dog has had a major impact in just his first season ... DeMarre Carroll, also known as J.Y.De, dominated the Columbia Regional of the CBE Classic en route to MVP honors and has reached double figures in 13-of-15 game this season, including three 20-point efforts and a pair of double-doubles this season.
Carroll has been at his best at home this season, where he is averaging 16.9 points and 7.7 boards and 2.0 steals on 65.2 percent shooting from the floor.
Carroll has actually been close to producing double-double efforts in nine games this year and is averaging 14.8 points and 6.7 boards to rank as the team leader in both categories.
The Big 12 Newcomer of the Year front-runner also ranks third in the Big 12 Conference in field goal percentage (.584), while ranking among the Top 10 in scoring (9th) and rebounding (9th).
Carroll has topped 10 rebounds four times this season, including back-to-back games vs. North Carolina A&T and Illinois.
Even more incredible is that he is producing those numbers in just 24.4 minutes per game.
Carroll always seems to find a way to impact the game for Missouri and while he was saddled with foul trouble vs. Purdue, the junior forward blocked a career high three shots in the final 4:11 to help lead Missouri to the come-from-behind win ... Carroll actually scored three points, had three blocks, two assists and a steal in the final 7:35 of the MU win vs. Purdue ... The Birmingham native also added a career-high tying four steals vs. McNeese State and UMKC, showing another way he has impacted a Tiger win.
Carroll was recently named one of Seth Davis’ (Sports Illustrated) Key Faces in New Places for 2007-08.
ESPN’s Andy Katz also said “there may not be a harder working interior player -- outside of Tyler Hansbrough -- than DeMarre Carroll.”
In case you were wondering, Carroll dominates the classroom too and needs seven hours in the spring semester to finish his degree and begin his Masters work in Administration.
Stefhon Hannah continues to be one of the nation’s most dynamic point guards and has reached double figures in 19 of his last 22 games, including a three 20-point efforts this season.
Although his scoring numbers are consistent (15.0 points through 15 games this year vs. 14.3 through 15 games last year), the key to Hannah’s improved play has been fewer turnovers ... Last season through 15 games Hannah had 73 assists and 48 turnovers ... This year he has 82 dimes and just 41 turnovers vs. a much stronger set of opponents.
Included in that improved assist total was a season high 11 dimes vs. UMKC, helping the senior record his second career point-assist double-double.
Hannah flashed his toughness vs. Maryland on Nov. 20 when he played with the flu and still managed 14 points and five dimes ... The Chicago native wasn’t able to eat all day and spent the early portion of the second half in the locker room, but returned to score eight second-half points, leading MU to the win.
Hannah broke out of an early offensive slump with 20 points vs. No. 11 Michigan State on Nov. 20 ... The consistent lead guard has reached double figures in 36-of-43 career games for MU.
For his efforts, Hannah was named to the CBE Classic All-Tournament Team in Kansas City.
Hannah scored a career high 28 points at Arkansas, marking the 10th 20-point effort of his career.
In addition to his scoring numbers, Hannah’s assist totals are on the rise ... When you factor in Hannah’s 5.5 assists per game this year, the senior guard is actually accounting for 26.4 of Mizzou’s 82.1 points per game (including assists on three-point field goals).
Hannah also has 82 assists and 31 steals on the year ... For his short career, Hannah has had five or more dimes 25 times (including 11 of 15 games this year) and multiple steals 27 times, which is no surprise since the 6-foot-1 senior was named the nation’s ninth-best perimeter defender by Fran Fraschilla and ESPN.com.
A key factor in Hannah’s play has been improved free throw shooting and Hannah is 31-of-37 (.839) over his last 13 games ... In the last five minutes of a game Hannah is 17-of-21 from the charity stripe (.810).
As you would expect, Hannah is a preseason candidate for the Bob Cousy National Point Guard of the Year Award.
Not to be outdone, Keon Lawrence has reached double figures in 17 of his last 22 games, including a season high 17-points and eight rebounds at Arkansas.
Despite being just 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, Lawrence is third on the club at 4.1 rebounds per game, including five games of six or more boards.
The dynamic guard is also second on the team with 13 blocks.
As was documented by the Kansas City Star, there are no “off days” for Lawrence, as he makes 1,000 shots each day the team is given off by head coach Mike Anderson.
ABOUT TEXAS
No. 12/13 Texas (13-2) comes into Saturday’s game following a dominating 81-62 rout of then-No. 24 St. Mary’s (Calif.) at home on Jan. 5 ... Since the return of freshman forward Gary Johnson, the Longhorns have responded with back-to-back wins and have added yet another talented body to go with what many pundits have called the “Best Starting Five in America” ... All-America candidate D.J. Augustin leads the Longhorns in scoring and assists at 20.5 ppg. and 6.1 apg., while sharp-shooter A.J. Abrams is second on the club with 18.5 points per night ... Sophomore forward Damion James is averaging a double-double with 13.8 points and 10.8 rebounds and has flourished since the addition of Johnson, averaging 22.0 points and 11.0 rebounds in two wins over TCU and St. Mary’s.
THE TEXAS SERIES
Texas leads the all-time series with the Tigers 11-8, including nine consecutive wins dating back to the 1998-99 campaign, Norm Stewart’s final season with the Tigers ... In Columbia, the series is tied 4-4, with the Longhorns winning four consecutive ... Mizzou’s last win in the series came Feb. 27, 1999, by a 54-47 margin in Austin.
WITH A TIGER WIN:
Missouri would open Big 12 play with a win for the third time in four years.
The Tigers would knock off their first ranked foe of the season and record their second win over a ranked opponent in the Mike Anderson era.
Missouri would top Texas for the first time since the 1998-99 campaign, Norm Stewart’s final year with the Tigers.
Mizzou would earn its fourth win over a ranked opponent at Mizzou Arena ... Missouri’s last win vs. a Top 25 team inside Mizzou Arena came March 6, 2005, vs. No. 7 Kansas.
Mizzou would run its home court winning streak to 13 games, which would be the longest in Mizzou Arena history.
Mizzou would improve to 25-4 at home under Anderson.
The Tigers would move to 29-17 all-time under Mike Anderson.
Overall, Anderson would improve to 118-58 in his six seasons as a head coach.
TIGERS LOOKING FOR 13TH STRAIGHT WIN AT HOME
Mizzou Basketball’s 12 consecutive home court wins is the 16th-longest streak in America ... Although the Tigers have won an impressive 27 consecutive home games vs. non-conference opposition, the Tigers have actually reeled off the 12 straight home wins overall dating back to a 78-71 win against Baylor on Feb. 14, 2006 ... The 12-game winning streak ties the Mizzou Arena record, which was initially set last season before a 66-65 home loss to Iowa State on Jan. 6, 2007.
HORTON HEARS A PAIR OF 10s
His doesn’t play with a lot of “flash”, but Jason Horton has quietly put together a great career in a Tiger uniform and needs just 11 steals to join Anthony Peeler, Mike Sandbothe and Lynn Hardy as the only players in Mizzou history to finish among the top 10 in career assists and career steals ... Melvin Booker is also currently in the top 10 in both categories, but will fall out of the rankings in steals once Horton records 12 more thefts.
Anthony Peeler leads both categories with 497 assists and 196 steals, while Sandbothe ranks fifth in steals (172) and sixth in assists (380) and Hardy ranks third in steals (194) and eighth in dimes (358).
Horton currently has 364 assists to rank No. 7 all-time, while his 136 career steals ranks just outside the top 10.
PAINT IT BLACK (AND GOLD)
Missouri’s fast-paced style of play produces a number of transition buckets and as a result, Missouri is averaging 35.9 points per game in the paint this season ... Last year Mizzou averaged 30.7 points per game in the lane, but the addition of DeMarre Carroll and improved play of Leo Lyons has the Tigers making a much larger offensive dent in the lane this season.
HOME IS WHERE THE WINS ARE
As Mizzou enters the Big 12 Conference portion of its fourth season at Mizzou Arena, the Tigers are starting to establish an impressive home court advantage in the state-of-the-art facility ... Since opening the building in 2004, Mizzou is 49-13 at home and is in the midst of an 12-game winning streak dating back to last season.
Overall, the Tigers have won 27 consecutive home games vs. non-conference opposition, which is the 12th longest non-conference home court winning streak in the nation.
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