Story Line
Coach Frank Haith takes over for Mike Anderson and inherits a team that would have returned all five of its starters. However, in early October the Tigers lost 6-8 senior forward Laurence Bowers to a season-ending knee injury. The loss of Bowers leaves Missouri with just three players who would be considered able to play inside or in the low post. The Tigers’ perimeter, though, is deep and talented. Senior guard Marcus Denmon, senior guard/forward Kim English and junior guard Michael Dixon are all capable of putting up big numbers. And sophomore point guard Phil Pressey is coming off an impressive freshman season. His older brother Matt Pressey adds experience and depth in the back court.
Coach: Frank Haith (129-101 overall in seven years)
2010-11: 23-11 overall, 8-8 in Big 12, tie 5th.
NCAA Tournament: Lost first round.
Top Players
6-3 Sr. G Marcus Denmon, 6-6 Sr. G/F Kim English, 6-1 Jr. G Michael Dixon, 6-9 Sr. F Ricardo Ratliffe, 5-10 Soph. G Phil Pressey, 6-2 Sr. G Matt Pressey, 6-9 Sr. C Steve Moore.
Coach Haith Says
“We didn't have a lot of size to begin with, in terms of our front line. And losing Laurence Bowers, a guy that's probably one of your better rebounders and we got outrebounded by five last year, you know, I think the one thing we tried to address with our team is not just our front line that's going to have to pick it up, it's got to be our guard play.
Notable
Senior Ricardo Ratliffe, last year’s Big 12 newcomer of the year, averaged 10.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. … The Tigers return 89.5 percent of their scoring, 89.1 percent of their rebounding, 90.0 percent of their assists and 92.1 percent of their steals from last season. … Missouri was second nationally in steals with 9.7 per game last season. … Guard Phil Pressey set a school record for freshmen with 117 assists. … The Tigers have just eight scholarship players on this season’s roster.
Season Opener
Nov. 11 - vs. Southeast Missouri State
Top Nonconference Games
Nov. 21 - vs. Notre Dame
Dec. 6 - vs. Villanova
Dec. 22 - vs. Illinois
Dec. 30 - at Old Dominion
Conference Opener
Jan. 3 - vs. Oklahoma