themaneater

Volume 77, Issue 24 November 16, 2010

BASKETBALLPREVIEW

2010-11 SEASON

*JUNIOR GUARD KIM ENGLISH MANEATER FILE PHOTO, BY KATIE CURRID

Look inside for... A breakdown of each

Big 12 opponentPAGE 2

An in-depth look at the team's fresh faces

PAGE 3

A look at the players' lives off the court

PAGE 5

Our staff's predictions for the season ahead

PAGE 7

TIGERS AIM FOR NEW HEIGHTS

Tuesday, November 16, 2010BASKETBALL PREVIEW2the maneater

Baylor BearsPast record: 28-8, 11-5 Big 12Coach: Scott DrewStarters lost: Ekpe Udoh, Josh Lomers, Tweety CarterStarters returning: LaceDarius Dunn, Anthony JonesTop returning scorer: LaceDarius Dunn, 20.7 PPG

Colorado BuffaloesPast record: 15-16, 6-10 Big 12Coach: Tad BoyleStarters lost: NoneStarters returning: Cory Higgins, Alec Burks, Marcus Relphorde, Austin Dufault, Nate TomlinsonTop returning scorer: Cory Higgins, 18.9 PPG

Iowa State CyclonesPast record: 15-17, 4-12 Big 12

Coach: Fred HoibergStarters lost: Craig Brackins, Marquis Gilstrap, Lucca Staiger, Justin Hamilton Starters returning: Diante Garrett Top returning scorer: Diante Garrett, 9.7 PPG

Kansas JayhawksPast record: 33-3, 15-1 Big 12Coach: Bill SelfStarters lost: Cole Aldrich, Sherron Collins, Xavier HenryStarters returning: Marcus Morris, Tyshawn TaylorTop returning scorer: Marcus Morris, 12.8 PPG

Kansas State WildcatsPast record: 29-8, 11-5 Big 12Coach: Frank MartinStarters lost: Denis

Clemente, Luis Colon, Dominique Sutton Starters returning: Jacob Pullen, Curtis KellyTop returning scorer: Jacob Pullen, 19.3 PPG

Nebraska Cornhuskers Past record: 15-18, 2-14 Big 12Coach: Doc Sadler Starters lost: Ryan Anderson, Sek HenryStarters returning: Brandon Richardson, Jorge Brian Diaz, Lance JeterTop returning scorer: Brandon Richardson, 8.9 PPG

Oklahoma SoonersPast record: 13-18, 4-12 Big 12Coach: Jeff CapelStarters lost: Willie Warren, Tommy Mason-Griffin, Tony

Crocker, Tiny GallonStarters returning: Cade DavisTop returning scorer: Cade Davis, 9.9 PPG

Oklahoma State CowboysPast record: 22-11, 9-7 Big 12Coach: Travis FordStarters lost: James Anderson, Obi MuoneloStarters returning: Keiton Page, Marshall Moses, Matt PilgrimTop returning scorer: Keiton Page, 10.7 PPG

Texas LonghornsPast record: 24-10, 9-7 Big 12Coach: Rick BarnesStarters lost: Damion James, Avery Bradley, Dexter Pittman, Justin MasonStarters returning: Dogus

BalbayTop returning scorer: Jordan Hamilton, 10.0 PPG

Texas A&M AggiesPast record: 24-10, 11-5 Big 12 Coach: Mark TurgeonStarters lost: Derrick Roland, Donald Sloan, Bryan DavisStarters returning: Dash Harris, Khris MiddletonTop returning scorer: B.J. Holmes, 9.3 PPG

Texas Tech Red RaidersPast record: 19-16, 4-12 Big 12Coach: Pat KnightStarters lost: Nick Okorie, Darko CohadarevicStarters returning: Mike Singletary, John Roberson, D’walyn RobertsTop returning scorer: Mike Singletary, 15.0 PPG

Breaking down the Big 12 ConferenceLast year’s record: 23-11, 10-6 in the Big 12

Coach Mike Anderson: 5th year at Missouri, 88-46 overall record

Who’s gone: J.T. Tiller, Zaire Taylor, Keith Ramsey

Who’s returning: Michael Dixon, Marcus Denmon, Laurence Bowers, Justin Safford, Kim English, Jarett Sutton, Steve Moore, John Underwood

Who’s new: Phil Pressey, Ricky Kreklow, Matt Kreklow, Ricardo Ratliffe, Kadeem Green

Teams in AP Top 25 on schedule: No. 3 Kansas State, No. 7 Baylor, No. 13 Illinois, No 20 Georgetown

Rankings: AP Top 25: No. 15 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll: No. 14

An analysis of the Missouri men's basketball team and how it stacks up against Big 12 foes, stat for stat.

Missouri Basketball Coach Mike Anderson

Tuesday, November 16, 2010 BasketBall Preview 3the maneater

Pat iversenStaff Writer

After practice one week before the season opener, junior forward Kim English couldn’t hide his excitement about the Tigers’ newcomers.

“If you could construct a per-fect Mike Anderson point guard, it’d be Phil Pressey,” English said. “Coach did a good job of recruit-ing instinctive guys and guys who fit what we want to do.”

Freshman Phil Pressey, a highly recruited guard from Texas, is just one of a few new players that coach Mike Anderson brought in to bolster his team’s strength. Anderson also recruited junior college transfers Matt Pressey and for-ward Ricardo Ratliffe. Ratliffe was the top junior college recruit in the nation after set-ting multiple records at Central Florida Community College. After a couple games of exhibi-tions, Ratliffe said he’s starting to get up to speed.

“It’s been pretty good, just getting used to the style and speed of play,” Ratliffe said. “It helps me get used to things like rotation and getting used to playing behind a big crowd. I think they said last game there were maybe 8,000 (people),

and I’m only used to playing with 1,000, and that’s on a good night.”

Unlike most new players, Ratliffe comes in with experi-ence from playing at the junior college level for two years. Anderson said experience with

a higher level of competition benefits both the player and the team.

“I think it gives them that adjustment period quicker than the freshmen,” Anderson said. “And that’s important for junior college players, because there’s

a sense of urgency, they don’t have too many years left. We brought him here hoping he’d be an impact player, and hopefully he’ll be an impact player.”

As for the Presseys, their transition to Missouri was made easier by their relationship with

Anderson. Their father, for-mer NBA player Paul Pressey, was Anderson’s roommate in college. The two used to call Anderson their uncle growing up, and English said familiarity would help the brothers out in the long run.

“I think that’s one of the biggest factors in their college choice,” English said. “They knew coach Anderson wouldn’t just feed them the ‘recruit talk’. He would talk with them straight up -- they’ve known him their entire life. So they can really come in and truly focus on basketball, without having to read if the coach likes them or not.”

But Anderson downplayed his influence on the two, prais-ing them for taking direction and focusing on their game. Anderson also said if the new-comers are going to make an immediate impact, the veterans will have to step up.

“I think the most important guys in terms of carrying out what we’ve been doing for the last two years are the veterans,” Anderson said. “I think they’ve got to lead, and they’ve got to show these (new) guys the way. I think the more the new guys pick up things, and then the better off we’ll be.”

Maneater File PhotoFreshman guard Phil Pressey plants his hand to balance himself after slipping on the court during the second half of the Black & Gold scrimmage Oct. 28 at Mizzou Arena. Pressey is a newcomer to this year’s Tiger squad.

The Tigers are looking to improve on last year’s 23-11

season. John Montesantos

Staff Writer

With the Missouri basketball regular season opener looming, the Tigers are itching to show off the 2010-11 squad.

This year’s team features many familiar faces, as well as a few new ones. A dynamic freshman class of three playmakers and the addition of two junior college transfers have helped Missouri retain depth after the loss of their seniors.

The Tigers return their three leading scorers of the 2009-2010 season with a group of game-tested juniors. Junior guards Kim English and Marcus Denmon and junior forward Laurence Bowers led Missouri in scoring last year and were the only players to aver-age double-digit points.

Bowers was second in rebound-ing and first in blocks last year while English and Denmon led the team in three-pointers made. Those team-leading numbers should only improve now that the stars are upperclassmen.

Coach Mike Anderson has seen improvement and leadership in his core group of juniors, but knows nothing has been proven yet.

“This is their time,” Anderson said. “They have improved from last year. But have they improved to the point where they can be the leaders of this basketball team? That remains to be seen.”

English thinks the juniors have made the transition from under-classmen scorers to upperclass-men role models.

“We’re stepping into that role,”

English said. “We’re showing the guys what to do and how things are done at Mizzou. And they’re fol-lowing suit and doing a great job.”

Although the juniors might be considered the leaders of the 2010 team, they have a mentor to look up to in senior forward Justin Safford.

Safford was a top-three rebounder and top-five scorer last year before his season was cut short by an ACL injury. He looks to return to full force this year and fully recover from his ACL

surgery in March.Anderson recognizes Safford’s

role as the lone senior contribu-tor and values the experience he voices to the younger players.

“He’s talking a lot more and coming outside his box,” Anderson said. “He’s been through the team that went 16-16 and obviously the last two years when we were a lot better. So hopefully those experi-ences that he’s had he can use those to lead these guys.”

Last year’s senior class played a major role, with J.T. Tiller and

Zaire Taylor leading the team in assists and steals. Sophomore guard Michael Dixon hopes to fill the void and step up as Missouri’s youngest starter.

“My job as a point guard to get everybody involved early and get people the ball in the right situations and the right times,” Dixon said. “Just taking what the defense gives me offensively as far as knocking down open shots and getting to the basket when the opportunity presents itself.”

After practicing together all

month and working out as a team in the offseason, Dixon is most excited to see the team’s athleti-cism in action.

“We’re just so athletic,” Dixon said. “As far as fast breaking and getting steals, they’re going to be a lot of highlights. Hopefully a lot of SportsCenter plays will be coming from Missouri bas-ketball.”

Missouri’s regular season tips off at Mizzou Arena at 7 p.m. Thursday against Western Illinois.

Maneater File PhotoMissouri sophomore guard Kim English fights for a rebound against Nebraska freshman guard Eshaunte Jones during the March 10 game at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. English will be returning to this year’s team as a junior.

Preview: Missouri basketball nears tipoff

Tiger newcomers boost morale as season inches closer

Tuesday, November 16, 2010 BASKETBALL PREVIEW 5the maneater

Meet the playersJohn Montesantos, Staff Writer

12 11

24 10

Marcus Denmon Michael Dixon

KIM ENGLISH Ricardo Ratliffe

Favorite movie: “The Shawshank Redemption”

Favorite NBA player: Carmelo Anthony

Favorite place to eat in Columbia: CC’s City Broiler

Best friend on the team: Michael Dixon

Pregame routine: “The night before the game I make 75 shots on each bas-ket in the main gym. The day of the game I usually get a quick bite to eat at Shiloh’s before I come up here for shootaround. Two and a half hours before game time I make 100 shots then go through my 10-minute mental training.”

Favorite movie: “He Got Game”

Favorite NBA player: Chris Paul

Favorite place to eat in Columbia: El Rancho

Best friend on the team: Kim English (“Marcus, I’ve known him for longer so he’s more like a brother to me. So best friend would be Kim.”)

Pregame routine: “After pregame I always call my dad. Before a game I always put my left shoe on before my right.”

Favorite movie: “Glory Road”

Favorite NBA player: Amar’e Stoudemire

Favorite place to eat in Columbia: Mississippi Fish Shack

Best friend on the team: Laurence Bowers

Pregame routine: “I just broke my headphones so I didn’t really listen to anything before a game. We have a pregame meal as a team so I guess that’s it.”

Junior guardFavorite movie: “Paid in Full”

Favorite NBA player: Lebron James

Favorite place to eat in Columbia: Mississippi Fish Shack

Best friend on the team: Michael Dixon (“I’ve known Mike since I was 11, we went to same middle school together.”)

Pregame routine: “I always take a shower before every game. I don’t know why, it’s just something I do. Even though I’m clean already I just take another shower. It just relaxes me before I go out for the game.”

Sophomore guard

Junior guard Junior forward

Tuesday, November 16, 2010 BasketBall Preview 7the maneater

November The Tigers and Georgetown will square off for the second time in his-tory in this highly-anticipated game at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. The Hoyas hold the lone victory in the series after beating the Tigers 63-51 in 1982.

Georgetown is coming off a successful year despite a first-round loss in the NCAA tournament to Ohio. The Hoyas went 23-11 on the 2009-2010 season, which included impressive wins over National Champion Duke, as well as Villanova and Pittsburgh.

January

February

The Tigers bested the Fighting Illini on the road last year, but Illinois had great recruit-ing in the off season. Illinois is bringing in newcomers Jereme Richmond, Crandell Head and Meyers Leonard, who are all ranked in the ESPN Top 100 for recruits.

The Fighting Illini should be a force to be reckoned with in the NCAA this season, and the Tigers will have to shine under the spotlight in St. Louis.

Although the Jayhawks lose three out-standing players — Cole Aldrich, Sherron Collins and Xavier Henry — Kansas will still be a force in the Big 12, especially at home at the Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks were 19-0 at home last year, so the Tigers will need to stay in the game and not let the crowd take over.

Last year, Missouri fell short 84-65 against Kansas on the road, despite 19 poinrts from Justin Safford. KU brothers Marcus and Markieff Morris came together to contribute 26 points for the victory, and both return for the Jayhawks this season.

December

The Wildcats are No. 1 in the Big 12 preseason coaches’ poll and are com-ing off an Elite Eight trip in the NCAA Tournament last season. This sea-son, the Tigers will play the Wildcats twice, two vital victories the Tigers need to ascend to the top of the Big 12.

Kansas State brings back star guard Jacob Pullen, who will try to lead the Wildcats to another successful season. The teams split 1-1 with the Tigers last season, with the home team winning in each game.

March

11/05/10 — vs. Harris-Stowe 11/12/10 — vs. Arkansas-Fort Smith11/18/10 — vs. Western Illinois 11/20/10 — vs. North Florida11/23/10 — vs. Wyoming at Cancun11/24/10 — Providence / La Salle at Playa del Carmen 11/28/10 — vs. Arkansas - Pine Bluff11/30/10 — vs. Georgetown at Kansas City, Mo.

02/02/10 — at Oklahoma State02/05/10 — vs. Colorado02/07/10 — at Kansas02/12/10 — vs. Oklahoma02/15/10 — vs. Texas Tech02/19/10 — at Iowa State02/23/10 — vs. Baylor02/26/10 — at Kansas State

12/02/10 — at Oregon 12/08/10 — vs. Vanderbilt12/11/10 — vs. Presbyterian12/16/10 — vs. Oral Roberts12/18/10 — vs. Central Arkansas12/22/10 — vs. Illinois at St. Louis12/27/10 — vs. Northern Illinois12/30/10 — vs. Old Dominion

01/05/10 — vs. North Alabama01/08/10 — at Colorado01/12/10 — vs. Nebraska01/15/10 — at Texas A&M01/17/10 — vs. Kansas State01/22/10 — vs. Iowa State01/29/10 — at Texas

03/01/10 — at Nebraska03/05/11 — vs. Kansas

— Zach Minksports editor

Our PredictionsZach Toombs,

Editor-in-Chief

Big 12 record: 13-3

Team MVP: Laurence Bowers

Biggest surprise: Michael Dixon’s emergence as a top guard in the Big 12

Where the team will go: Elite Eight

Biggest matchup: vs. Kansas State, Jan. 17

Pierce Courchaine, MOVE editor

Big 12 record: 13-3

Team MVP: Laurence Bowers

Biggest surprise: Phil Pressey

Where the team will go: Elite Eight

Biggest matchup: at Kansas, Feb. 7

Zach Murdock, Assistant editor

Big 12 record: 12-4

Team MVP: Mike Dixon

Biggest surprise: Phil Pressey

Where the team will go: Runner-up Big 12 Tournament, at least Sweet 16

Biggest matchup: vs. Kansas, March 5

Zach Mink, Sports editor

Big 12 record: 12-4

Biggest Surprise: Phil Pressey

Where the team will go: Sweet 16

Biggest matchup: vs. Kansas, March 5

Nov. 30 vs. Georgetown:

Dec. 22 vs. Illinois:

Jan. 17 vs. Kansas State:

Feb. 7 at Kansas:

2010-11 Basketball Schedule