Nov. 4, 2009

Columbia, Mo. - University of Missouri senior guard J.T. Tiller (Marietta, Ga. / Wheeler HS) was named one of 30 candidates for the prestigious Lowe's Senior CLASS Award on Wednesday and judging by the award's criteria of success in: classroom, character, community and competition, they couldn't have found a more deserving candidate.

Tiller is one of just three Big 12 players listed among the Top 30, joining Texas seniors Dexter Pittman and Damion James. The 10 finalists for the award will be announced in late January and nationwide fan balloting, coupled with votes from coaches will help decide the award winner in April.

Tiller has been a model student-athlete during his time at Mizzou. On the court the Marietta, Ga., native has helped lead Missouri's resurgence, starting all-38 games during the Tigers' run to a Big 12 Tournament crown and NCAA Tournament Elite Eight last season. The 2009 Big 12 Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year averaged 8.4 points per game, but more importantly dished 138 assists and ripped away 68 steals during MU's school-record 31-win campaign.

A preseason candidate for the prestigious John R. Wooden Award, Tiller has been listed on numerous preseason All-Defensive Teams and is a nominee for the Bob Cousy Award as the nation's top point guard.

Away from the court the Team Captain is scheduled to graduate in May with a degree in business management and has been an involved figure in the Columbia community. Alongside fellow teammate Zaire Taylor, Tiller participated in the Children's Miracle Network Radiothon, by both answering phones and visiting patients. He has also helped with numerous Boys & Girls Club clinics and local elementary school read-a-thons.

Lowe's, an official corporate partner of the NCAA, will present the winners with trophies during the weekends of the respective NCAA Men's and Women's Final Four. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the award was launched during the 2001-02 season to honor the attributes of college basketball seniors who remain committed to their university and pursue the many rewards that a senior season and complete college education brings.

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