Sept. 16, 2009

Columbia, Mo. - ESPN's Fran Fraschilla released his list of the Top 10 Defenders in college basketball on Wednesday and he named Missouri's J.T. Tiller his Top "Pest" in his ESPN blog.

Fraschilla's All-Defensive list included the following categories: "Pests", "Rim Protectors" and "Stoppers".

"J.T. Tiller has made his reputation on the defensive of the floor for the Tigers, but it doesn't stop there," Fraschilla said. "He's one of the best guards in the Big 12 and is one of its fiercest competitors."

Tiller started all-38 games for Missouri last season and was named the league's Co-Defensive Player of the Year along with Kansas' Cole Aldrich. The Marietta, Ga., native ripped away 68 steals in 38 contests and ranked among the Big 12 and national leaders with a 2.3-to-1 assist/turnover ratio.

Of course Tiller was honored on numerous national All-Defensive Team lists in 2009, including being named the Captain of Seth Davis' (Sports Illustrated) All-Glue Team. He was also recently named a Top 50 Preseason Candidate for the John R. Wooden Player of the Year Award.

While he makes his name as a defensive stalwart, Tiller advanced his game offensively last season, averaging career highs of 8.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per game to go with 138 total assists. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound guard played exceptionally well in the postseason, as he averaged 13.0 ppg in four NCAA Tournament contests, including a career high 23 points in the Sweet 16 win against Memphis. For his efforts Tiller was named to the NCAA All-West Region Team.

Tiller and the Tigers open practice for the 2009-10 campaign one month from today and have their first formal outing on Oct. 23, the Friday of Homecoming Weekend, with the Black & Gold Game. Tip time for the Black & Gold Game is slated for 8 p.m. and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon will face UM System President Gary Forsee as honorary head coaches.