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Keon Lawrence and the Tigers won at Colorado in the teams' last meeting on Jan. 26.
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Men's Basketball Looking For Late Season Surge, Hosts Colorado Saturday Night
Tigers go for season sweep vs. Buffs
Feb. 21, 2008
Missouri Tigers (14-12, 4-7 Big 12) vs. Colorado Buffaloes (10-15, 2-9 Big 12)
Regular Season Game 27 - February 23, 2008 - Columbia, Mo.
FOR OPENERS
- Mizzou enters the home stretch of the 2007-08 regular season and will play three of its final five contests within the friendly confines of Mizzou Arena ... The Tigers host the first of back-to-back home games on Saturday vs. Colorado, before playing Oklahoma State at home on Feb. 26 ... The Tigers have been very good at home this year and are 11-3 on Norm Stewart Court ... Mizzou’s only losses have come to Top 25 teams Kansas and Texas A&M and a short-handed loss to Nebraska when the club had just six scholarship players available ... Mizzou also has quality wins over Purdue, Texas and Kansas State at home, three teams currently ranked in the Top 25 and three teams currently at the top of their respective conferences.
- For the first time since the 2002-03 campaign, Missouri has hit 10 or more three pointers in back-to-back Big 12 Conference games ... The Tigers hit 11 triples last week at Nebraska, before knocking down 10 more at Kansas State ... In 2002-03, the Tigers hit 11 treys vs. Colorado and 10 more at Kansas ... Missouri has never reached double-figures in three-point makes in three consecutive Big 12 games, a statistic the team hopes to put in jeopardy this Saturday vs. CU.
- A key for the Tigers this season has been their bench depth and the team’s strong reserve play over the past three games serves as a perfect illustration to its well-rounded play ... Missouri is averaging 34.0 points per game from its bench over the last three outings, including 43 points vs. No. 18 Texas A&M ... On the season as a whole, Mizzou is averaging 26.0 points per game from its bench and have had 22 double-figure scoring efforts off the pine this year.
- A key Tiger to keep an eye on this weekend is freshman forward Justin Safford ... Safford played just five minutes in the first meeting with Colorado, but is averaging 15.3 minutes per game in the six contest since that Jan. 26 affair ... When Safford plays 16 minutes or more this season (four of his last six games), he is averaging 7.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game ... Included in that surge is a career high 10 points vs. Texas A&M and nine points in each meeting with Kansas State.
- Matt Lawrence has found his stroke from three-point range over his last two games, as the junior guard has connected on 8-of-19 shots (.421) from beyond the arc in road games at Nebraska and Kansas State ... The eight makes pushed Lawrence’s career three-point makes total to 148, which ranks No. 9 all-time ... Lawrence needs just five more makes to pass Mark Atkins (152) for eighth on the career list ... Former teammate Thomas Gardner is seventh with 179 career triples.
MIZZOU QUICK-HITTERS
- Missouri looks to return to the win column on Saturday when it hosts the Colorado Buffaloes at 7 p.m.
- The Tigers are looking to sweep the season series against CU for the second consecutive year and Mike Anderson is looking to go 4-0 vs. the Buffs all-time.
- Missouri is playing its first game in a week ... The Tigers had their “bye” game on Wednesday and are enjoying their longest schedule break since the start of league play ... The Tigers went nine days between the Mississippi State (Dec. 29) and UMKC (Jan. 8) contests.
- Missouri is playing its first home game in nearly two weeks ... The Tigers last played at Mizzou Arena on Feb. 9 vs. Texas A&M.
- Matt Lawrence is looking to make his 57th consecutive start for the Tigers on Saturday ... That’s the most consecutive starts for an MU player since Rickey Paulding made 86 consecutive from 2002-04.
- While the Big 12 is much tougher this season (according to league RPI ratings), Missouri is looking to move to 5-7 in league play, which would match their mark last season at this time ... The Tigers actually started 3-7 last season before winning three consecutive Big 12 games.
- Not to harp on tough games, but of the Top 35 teams in this week’s USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll, Missouri has already played 10 games vs. those programs ... So far the Tigers are 4-6 in those games this year, including wins over Texas, Kansas State and Purdue, who are currently in the Top 25, as well as a win over a surging Maryland club.
- Of the six losses, Missouri has had second-half leads in three of those games.
- The Tigers have been close in nearly every game this season and have dropped eight games by eight points or less, including three games to opponents currently ranked in the Top 20, Kansas, Michigan State and Texas A&M.
- 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 11-3 at Mizzou Arena, the Tigers have averaged a 17.5 ppg. margin of victory on Norm Stewart Court.
- In fact, Mizzou has enjoyed double-figure margins of victory in 10 of its 11 home wins this year, with six coming by 30+ points ... Included in that impressive run is a 97-84 win over then-No. 12 Texas.
- Although Mizzou is doing a much better job protecting the ball of late, the Tigers continue to force turnovers at a high rate ... The Tigers have forced 461 turnovers (225 steals) in 26 games this season ... Last year, Mizzou led the Big 12 with 10.1 steals and 18.9 turnovers per game and are averaging 8.7 steals and 17.7 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 13.8 times per game, which ranks among the nation’s leaders.
- Mizzou has done an excellent job converting off those miscues and are averaging 21.5 points per game off turnovers ... When you break down the numbers, Missouri is scoring nearly 30 percent of its points off of turnovers (21.5-of-78.6 ppg).
- Overall, the Tigers are forcing a turnover once every six possessions, which allows them to average 7.3 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 60.0 percent of their buckets this season (451 assists on 753 FG’s).
- When you take Missouri’s 70 “put-back” buckets out of the equation, the Tigers are averaging assists on 65.6 percent of their field goals.
- Overall, Missouri’s 17.3 assists per game rank No. 18 nationally and has the club on pace to finish fourth all-time with 554 assists.
- Missouri has flashed a balanced playing rotation, as eight Tigers are averaging at least 13.4 minutes per game and no player is averaging more than 28.4 minutes.
- Missouri has topped double figures in three-point makes six times this year, including a season high 12 vs. Texas ... The Tigers also hit 11 three-pointer at Nebraska and vs. McNeese State and 10 three-pointer vs. Michigan State, Kansas State and Southern.
- ESPN’s Pat Forde named Mizzou Arena the No. 1 “New School” college basketball arena in America ... Who can argue?, the place is loaded!
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, has reached double figures in 18-of-26 games this season to rank first on the team in double-figure scoring contests this year.
- Carroll has also been the team’s most consistent rebounder, and is averaging 7.4 rebounds per game in Big 12 play, including 13 boards at Iowa State and 12 vs. Kansas and Nebraska.
- Carroll has actually been close to producing double-double efforts in 15 games this year and is averaging 13.0 points and 7.0 boards to rank among team leaders in both categories.
- Carroll has been at his best at home, where he is averaging 14.3 points and 7.9 boards and 2.0 steals on 59.1 percent shooting from the floor.
- The Big 12 Newcomer of the Year front-runner also ranks fourth in the Big 12 Conference in field goal percentage (.546), while ranking among league leaders in scoring (16th) and rebounding (7th).
- Even more incredible is that he is producing those numbers in just 25.1 minutes per game.
- Despite his size and position, Carroll ranks among the Big 12’s leaders with 1.3 steals 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.
- Keon Lawrence has reached double figures in 23 of his last 33 games, including a career high 25 points at Kansas on ESPN Big Monday.
- Lawrence now has multiple 20-point games this season, both of which came on the road, including a 24-point effort at Texas Tech.
- Because of those efforts, it’s not surprising that Lawrence is averaging an improved 12.1 points per game on the road this year.
- Lawrence has been Missouri’s go-to-guy offensively over the last five games and is averaging 14.8 points and 3.5 assists to lead the club in both categories.
- Lawrence has enjoyed some strong play vs. the Big 12 South ... In 10 career games vs. “The South”, Lawrence has reached double figures seven times, including 24 points vs. Baylor, 18 points at Oklahoma State and the game-winning jumper vs. Oklahoma last season.
- Lawrence also dumped in 18 points in the win over No. 12/13 Texas ... At one point, Lawrence scored 10 consecutive points in the first half for the Tigers setting the stage for the upset win.
- The dynamic guard is also third on the team with 15 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.
- Fellow sophomore J.T. Tiller has added a consistent offensive punch over the last six games in addition to being the team’s top perimeter defender ... Tiller is averaging 11.7 points during the surge.
- Tiller has reached double figures in four of his last six games, including a career high 20 points vs. No. 22 Kansas State to lead the Tigers to the upset win.
- For his efforts, the Marietta, Ga., native was named Big 12 Player of the Week on Feb. 4.
- Although scoring production gets more publicity, Tiller is one of the Big 12’s top defenders and leads Mizzou with 96 deflections.
- The Georgia native earned his first career start vs. Coppin State and responded with 10 points, three assists and two steals in 25 minutes.
- Tiller also reached double-figures vs. Illinois on Dec. 22, scoring 10 points in a career high 28 minutes.
- While his scoring totals are up, Tiller played some key defensive minutes late vs. Purdue, helping to hold the Boilermakers to just one field goal in the final 7:47 of the game en route to Mizzou’s game-winning 24-4 run.
- Forming Mizzou’s kamikaze line along with Tiller is senior forward Darryl Butterfield ... Butterfield leads the team with 16 charges drawn this year, while adding 18 steals in just 14.3 minutes per game.
- The Miami native has drawn multiple charges four times this season, including four vs. Maryland.
- Matt Lawrence poured in a career high 28 points on Dec. 30 at Mississippi State ... The 6-foot-7 guard hit 6-of-11 treys and tied a season high with six rebounds.
- Lawrence tied his season high with 6-of-11 shooting from three-point range at Kansas State on Feb. 16 ... It was his second 20-point game of the season and both outings have come on the road this year.
- Over his last 20 games, Lawrence has hit multiple treys in 15 of those contests.
- A vocal leader for the Tigers, Lawrence tied up Kansas State’s Bill Walker under the Wildcat basket in the final seconds to help lift Mizzou to the win, a Walker put-back would have put K-State in front with just seconds remaining.
- In fact, the St. Louis native has been at his best on the road throughout his career and his shooting 42.1 percent from beyond the arc (56-of-133) from three-point range away from Mizzou Arena.
- Leo Lyons has played much-improved basketball this season and has reached double-figures in 14 of his last 18 contests.
- Lyons’ has already reached double figures 16 times this season, surpassing the nine double figure games he enjoyed his first-two seasons combined.
- Lyons led Mizzou to its 66-62 win at Colorado on Jan. 26, scoring 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting ... Lyons scored 16 of his points and dished all-three of his assists in the second half.
- He then scored a career high 24 points against Texas A&M on Feb. 9 for his fourth 20-point output of the year.
- Lyons recorded his first 20-point game in his hometown return to Kansas City and scored a career high 23 points and grabbed 11 boards vs. Maryland.
- Lyons earned Player of the Game honors from Dick Vitale and Co. as he hit 8-of-11 shots and 7-of-11 free throws en route to his first career double-double.
- Lyons also torched UMKC for 22 points on a career-best 10-of-12 shooing from the floor.
- Lyons recorded his second double-double of the year in the win over Purdue, chipping in 13 points and 10 rebounds.
- Lyons flashed his versatility vs. Western Illinois when the 6-foot-9, 240-pounder dished a career high six assists and recorded two steals ... Lyons has 41 assists, which is tops among Tiger post players.
- He just goes about his business quietly, but senior guard Jason Horton has dished out 67 assists compared to just 30 turnovers this season, to rank No. 4 in the Big 12 in assist-turnover ratio at 2.4-to-1.
- Horton now has 385 career dimes, which is No. 5 all-time in school history ... Horton passed Tiger great Jon Sundvold (382) for No. 5 on the list on Feb. 9 vs. Texas A&M.
- Horton is 45 assists shy of Lee Coward for No. 4 all-tme.
- Horton is also closing in on the career top 10 in steals and needs six more thefts to pass Melvin Booker for No. 10 with 147.
- Senior forward Marshall Brown is closing in on 1,000 career points ... The Austin, Texas native currently has 863 tallies and needs 137 points to become the 38th member of the Mizzou 1,000-point club.
- The selfless senior was named team captain in December by teammates and coaches.
- Brown actually leads the team in three-point shooting accuracy at 41.2 percent.
- Brown logged some key minutes in the road win at Nebraska, and scored 11 points thanks to a pair of treys and 5-of-6 free throws.
- Missouri is 4-1 when Brown reaches double figures this year with that lone loss coming to Michigan State.
- The Texas product then earned his first start of the year vs. Coppin State and later scored a season high 14 points vs. his hometown Texas Longhorns in the Big 12 opener.
- Freshman Justin Safford graced ESPN’s Top 10 Plays on Nov. 8 with his alley-oop slam vs. Missouri Western ... Safford checked in at No. 6.
- The versatile rookie has enjoyed increased playing time over the last six games, including a career efforts vs. No. 22 Kansas State and No. 18 Texas A&M ... Safford scored nine points, dished two assists and blocked two shots in a career high 21 minutes vs. the Wildcats, before scoring 10 points and grabbing four boards vs. A&M.
- He recently scored nine points in 16 minutes in the return game at Kansas State on 4-of-5 shooting.
- Over his last five games Safford is averaging 5.6 points on 47 percent shooting from the floor and 50 percent shooting from beyond the arc (4-of-8).
- Safford enjoyed a great game at Mississippi State on Dec. 30, scoring four points and grabbing four boards in nine second-half minutes vs. the Bulldogs.
- Senior forward Vaidotas Volkus earned his first career start vs. Kansas and recorded then-career highs of eight points and two assists ... Volkus also hit 4-of-5 shots from the floor vs. the Jayhawks.
- The Lithuania native returned to the starting rotation vs. Nebraska on Jan. 30 and scored a career high 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, while grabbing four rebounds in a career-best 26 minutes of action.
ABOUT COLORADO
Colorado (10-15, 2-9 Big 12) has been a much improved team under first-year head coach Jeff Bzdelik and comes to Columbia looking for its second win in three years ... Richard Roby continues to lead CU in his final season, averaging 16.8 points and 6.4 rebounds a night, while senior point guard Marcus Hall drops in 12.8 points and 3.5 assists a contest ... The Buffaloes have won three games away from home this season, but all three of those contests came within the borders of Colorado ... CU topped Colorado State, Denver and Air Force this season on the road ... The Buffaloes also nearly won at Oklahoma State on Feb. 6, falling 64-63 in Stillwater.
THE SERIES WITH THE BUFFS
Missouri and Colorado will meet for the 146th time in series history on Saturday, with the Tigers holding a 93-52 advantage ... Missouri has won three consecutive and Mike Anderson is a perfect 3-0 vs. Colorado since taking the reigns in Columbia ... Missouri won the previous meeting this year, 66-62, rallying back from a 13-point second-half deficit to get the win ... Mizzou is 53-11 all-time vs. Colorado in Columbia, including a 91-82 win at home last year ... The Tigers and Buffaloes have split the last 10 meetings, thanks in large part to Mizzou’s current three-game winning streak.
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| Year |
FT-A |
Pct. |
| 2004-05 |
30-62 |
0.484 |
| 2005-06 |
18-36 |
0.500 |
| 2006-07 |
21-37 |
0.568 |
| 2007-08 |
27-34 |
0.794 |
| Career |
96-169 |
0.568 |
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HORTON TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CHARITY
Jason Horton has improved his free throw shooting each season as a Tiger, culminating with a career high 79.4 percent shooting this year ... Horton is on pace for a career high in makes and needs just four free throws to eclipse the 30 he made as a freshman in 2004-05.
Just how good has Horton’s free throw shooting been this season? Well through his first three years, the Dallas native was a combined 69-of-135 (.511) from the stripe before his 79.4 percent shooting touch this year.
MIZZOU'S 11 GAMES VS. RPI TOP 50 RANKS 3RD IN COUNTRY
Only Michigan and Big 12 rival Texas have played more games vs. the RPI Top 50 than your 2007-08 Missouri Tigers ... Mizzou (4-7 vs. the Top 50) ranks No. 3 nationally with 11 games vs. the RPI Top 50, tied with Providence (2-9).
Mizzou and Providence are just ahead of Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Iowa, Louisville, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Washington on the list ... Those teams have 10 games vs. the Top 50.
Since we are getting close to postseason tourney selection time, it’s important to note that Missouri has four wins vs. the RPI Top 50 ... Those four wins rank No. 2 in the Big 12 and No. 12 nationally, tied with the likes of Big 12 rivals Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M.
TIGERS FOR TIGERS CAMPAIGN
Mizzou Athletics is teaming up with Auburn and Clemson Universities to save and protect wild tigers ... You can help support “Tigers for Tigers” by making a donation to the World Wildlife Fund ... For more information visit tigers.missouri.edu. Help Mizzou with the “Tigers for Tigers” challenge and save the tigers species.
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