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Stay updated with coverage from the NCAA Tournament in Glendale, Ariz. The Tigers Tourney Tracker blog will feature live analysis, videocasts and full game stories from University of Phoenix Stadium.
March 28, 2009
Photoblog: Missouri Loses Elite Eight
The Missouri bench reacts to a foul called against the team during the second half of Missouri's NCAA Elite Eight basketball game against UConn Saturday, March 28, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Connecticut defeated Missouri 82-75.
Missouri lost the Elite Eight regional final 82-75 to Connecticut. For more pictures check out the Maneater's slideshow at http://www.themaneater.com/slideshows/2009/3/28/23/
Missouri guard Matt Lawrence, forward Leo Lyons, forward DeMarre Carroll, guard J.T. Tiller and head coach Mike Anderson listen to questions from reporters during Missouri's post game press conference after their loss in the NCAA Elite Eight basketball game against UConn Saturday, March 28, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Connecticut defeated Missouri 82-75.
Missouri forward Keith Ramsey celebrates after scoring a shot during the second half of Missouri's NCAA Elite Eight basketball game against UConn Saturday, March 28, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Connecticut defeated Missouri 82-75.
The Missouri bench reacts to a foul called against the team during the second half of Missouri's NCAA Elite Eight basketball game against UConn Saturday, March 28, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Connecticut defeated Missouri 82-75.
Missouri forward Justin Safford and Connecticut guard A.J. Price try to gain control of the ball during the second half of Missouri's NCAA Elite Eight basketball game against UConn Saturday, March 28, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Connecticut defeated Missouri 82-75.
Missouri guard Zaire Taylor and forward Keith Ramsey try to block a shot from Connecticut guard Kemba Walker during the second half of Missouri's NCAA Elite Eight basketball game against UConn Saturday, March 28, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Connecticut defeated Missouri 82-75.
Missouri forward DeMarre Carroll fights for control with Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet and guard A.J. Price during the second half of Missouri's NCAA Elite Eight basketball game against UConn Saturday, March 28, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Connecticut defeated Missouri 82-75.
Missouri forward Justin Safford drives into Connecticut forward Gavin Edwards to score a lay-up during the second half of Missouri's NCAA Elite Eight basketball game against UConn Saturday, March 28, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Connecticut defeated Missouri 82-75.
Missouri guard J.T. Tiller stands alone at the end of the court while UConn players make free throws, building the teams lead over Missouri during the second half of Missouri's NCAA Elite Eight basketball game against UConn Saturday, March 28, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Connecticut defeated Missouri 82-75.
Marching Mizzou band members, including Jim Scheffer, center left, look at the scoreboard disappointed in Missouri's approaching loss during the second half of Missouri's NCAA Elite Eight basketball game against UConn Saturday, March 28, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Connecticut defeated Missouri 82-75.
Videocast: Missouri vs. UConn recap
Sports Editor Lenny Goldman sums up Missouri's final game in the NCAA Tournament against the UConn Huskies from Glendale, Arizona.
For more content from the game check out the full game slideshow at http://www.themaneater.com/slideshows/2009/3/28/23/
Tigers' journey ends tonight
A miraculous season has come to an end for Missouri by the hands of No. 1 UConn 82-75. The Tigers took it to top-seeded Connecticut, but just didn't have enough to get passed them.
Infinite good comes out of tonight's loss and virtually zero bad. Missouri made a greater run than anyone could have ever imagined. Plus, its young players off the bench showed brilliance tonight. Safford and Ramsey were the big men the got it done for the Tigers. There is a bright future ahead for Missouri basketball.
A couple of spectacular, clutch plays by UConn's superstars were enough to stop Missouri's "Ultimate Team" attack.
Columbia should be more proud than ever of its basketball program. The only final question is how will coach Mike Anderson be repaid for his efforts.
Bench players stay in for the stretch
2:24 left to play and Missouri trails 68-65. Once again, the Tigers have made their comeback with Lyons and Carroll on the bench and Safford and Ramsey playing down low instead. Anderson's leaving his bench players in down the final stretch.
Tigers fall back with under five left
Missouri has slipped back into a six-point whole with just under five minutes remaining. The Tigers are simply not hitting their shots right now. They keep getting things close, but can't get over that hump.
Connecticut is also dominating the boards right now. After every Missouri shot there is a swarm of Huskies under the hoop. Anderson has 4:42 to get his guys to play the best basketball of their lives in order to make the Final Four.
Time for starters to make plays
I don't know if I'm going to make it another eight minutes. Watching this game has been exhausting. Missouri's bench did an incredible job pulling them back into the game, now it's the starters turn to make big plays at the end.
J.T. Tiller will be coming off the bench for Missouri, hoping to provide a spark. The Tigers need to keep attacking Thabeet and trying to draw that fourth foul. This game really could come down to a couple of tipped balls.
If Missouri's defense is making things sloppy, and they can score in quick bunches, there is a chance. If UConn slows things down in the last stretch, the numbers say that it will pull away.
Bench brings Missouri back
Missouri's bench has kept the Tigers in it. UConn was looking very tough to start he half, but Anderson went to his bench. He left only one starter in the game. Maybe UConn wasn't ready for Safford and Ramsey.
The bench gave Missouri its first lead of the game at 50-49. The Huskies have struggled with the intensity that Missouri's bench brings.
UConn currently leads 52-50.
UConn up six at the half
It's been an incredible first half of basketball. Missouri has managed to keep itself in the game, despite the Huskies playing offense out of their minds. Connecticut leads 44-38 at the break.
Missouri had a chance to make it a two-point game, but came up short and then allowed Price to float in a buzzer beater, creating the six-point advantage.
There are so many things to look for in the second half. For UConn, the question is what impact will Thabeet have. Calhoun kept him on the bench for most of the first half, so he may be looking for the big man to take over in the second period.
Missouri has to keep forcing UConn to play its style. The Huskies did get flustered and turn the ball over. What's most important for Missouri's defense though, is forcing Connecticut to take bad shots. They are shooing over 70 percent, because when they do get the ball off, it's been from down low for an easy dunk of layup.
The Tigers certainly still have a shot, but it's going to require a tremendous defensive effort and terrific shooting half.
Defense fueling Missouri's game
Missouri has scraped its way back into the game. Turnovers, like always, have fueled Missouri's offense.
The Tigers trail 34-31, an incredibly small deficit considering UConn is still shooting nearly 70 percent from the field. Anderson has gone deep into his bench. Safford, Paul and Bowers have all gotten minutes already.
There are four minutes remaining in the first half. Missouri needs to stick with the Huskies until halftime and then look to make its textbook second half run.