Latest entries in Tigers Tourney Tracker
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
Tigers in striking distance
Missouri's defense is starting to play a factor. J.T. Tiller found himself in a mismatch downlow, but still created a steal on the feed to the paint.
A couple of big 3-pointers by Justin Safford and Matt Lawrence have brought Missouri within four.
Thabeet stays on the bench
Jim Calhoun has a very smart gameplan right now. As soon as Thabeet drew his first foul, Calhoun put the big man on the bench, and he still hasn't come back on the floor. This does two thing: it keeps him from getting tired and out of foul trouble.
With UConn shooting an incredible 73 percent, they don't need him right now. If they can keep the lead, Thabeet will be fresh and out of foul trouble later, so he can take over and put it away.
Now remember, a rough first half hasn't been what we've seen lately from Missouri, but it was common most of the year. If Missouri can keep things within single digits by halftime and maybe get another foul an Thabeet, fatigue and depth could play a factor in the second half like it typically does for Missouri's opponent.
Style shifts Missouri's way
Even though Missouri is still down, things have gone its way since Anderson called a timeout. The style of play right now is completely Missouri's. Both teams are running all over the court and it looks sloppy, aka organized chaos.
The difference came as soon as Keith Ramsey came off the bench and caught Thabeet over the back for his first foul. Calhoun put the big man on the bench and Missouri's bench skyrocketed. The Tigers need to keep taking it to Thabeet. If he gets in foul trouble, they have a chance.
Missouri now trails 15-8 and will regain possession following the break.
Missouri in major trouble early
It's pretty clear from the first three minutes why UConn is the No. 1 seed. So far, the Huskies have done everything perfectly.
Taylor did a nice job of attacking the basket, but twice he was swatted from behind. UConn is the best blocking team in the country, that's for sure.
Even when Missouri's pressure defense looked like it was about to force a turnover and lead to a breakaway, Lyons couldn't handle the ball, resulting in a monstrous dunk by Jeff Adrien.
Missouri has fallen way behind early, 13-2.
Home court advantage
Both teams are now on the court with just three minutes until we tip off. It's very clearly that Missouri has the edge in fan support. All of University of Phoenix stadium is speckled with black and gold except for one small patch of UConn fans.
When the Huskies hit the court and you could hear were boo's. When Missouri followed a minute later there was a loud roar of support from the seats.
Starting lineups
Here are the projected starting lineups for Missouri's matchup against Connecticut:
4 Jeff Adrien
12 A.J. Price
21 Stanley Robinson
24 Craig Austrie
34 Hasheem Thabeet
1 DeMarre Carroll
4 J.T. Tiller
5 Leo Lyons
11 Zaire Taylor
33 Matt Lawrence
Video Preview: No. 3 Missouri vs. No. 1 UConn
Sports Editor Lenny Goldman previews Missouri's Elite Eight matchup against the top-seeded Connecticut Huskies.
Pregame thoughts for the Elite Eight
It still really hasn't sunk in that I'm sitting here watching Missouri warm up for an Elite Eight game. This is a team that just a few months ago, we knew so little about. Seven first-year players took up the majority of the roster. They looked good through preseason play, but no one could imagine the success would carry this far.
Coach Mike Anderson is 40 minutes away from taking Missouri, a school with a rich basketball history, to its first ever Final Four. It's not going to be easy. Missouri will square off against the top seed in the West Region, Connecticut.
The Huskies roster is filled with spectacular talents. Senior guard A.J. Price can take over a game. He's got a sweet shot and knows how to get to the basket. It should be a terrific battle between Price and the Missouri guards who pride themselves on defense.
But of course, all the attention goes to UConn's 7-foot-3-inch center, Hasheem Thabeet. How could it not? He's a head taller than everyone else on the court. Many of Missouri's players will barely reach his shoulders.
This will be senior forward Leo Lyons ultimate test. When Lyons shows up to play, he's spectacular. But that's not always the case, Lyons' effort is sometimes lacking on defense and rebounding.
Tonight, he has to outrun Thabeet. The beast may get winded trying to keep up with Lyons who plays better with his face to the hoop.
When Missouri took down Kansas and its dominant shot blocker, Cole Aldrich, DeMarre Carroll took over. If Lyons can get Thabeet out of the lane, Carroll will serve as Missouri's go to option. The hybrid forward has had consistent success when he puts the ball on the floor and takes it to the hoop.
Matching up with DeMarre is nearly impossible. When he's fifteen feet away, he is a threat to shoot, drive or turn around and post up. Missouri's offense should flow through him.
We're now 20 minutes away from action here in Glendale and as warmups begin, we now know that the Tigers will once again be sporting the gold uniforms.
Stay with TheManeater.com for more coverage of Missouri's run through the NCAA Tournament
March 27, 2009
Photoblog: Missouri Elite Eight Press Conference
Missouri forward Leo Lyons, right, jokes with guard Zaire Taylor during the team's press conference Friday, March 27, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Missouri Tigers will play against UConn Saturday afternoon in the Elite Eight for a spot in the Final Four.
The Missouri Tigers and Connecticut Huskies spoke with the media Friday afternoon about their Elite Eight basketball game Saturday at the University of Phoenix stadium.
Missouri head coach Mike Anderson smiles as he answers questions from the media during the team's press conference Friday, March 27, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Missouri Tigers will play against UConn Saturday afternoon in the Elite Eight for a spot in the Final Four.
Missouri forward Leo Lyons and forward DeMarre Carroll answer questions during the team's press conference Friday, March 27, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Missouri Tigers will play against UConn Saturday afternoon in the Elite Eight for a spot in the Final Four.
Connecticut forward Stanley Robinson and guard A.J. Price laugh during the team press conference Friday, March 27, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Missouri Tigers will play against UConn Saturday afternoon in the Elite Eight for a spot in the Final Four.
Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet laughs during the UConn press conference Friday, March 27, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Missouri Tigers will play against UConn Saturday afternoon in the Elite Eight for a spot in the Final Four.
Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet thinks during the UConn press conference Friday, March 27, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet listens to a question during the UConn press conference Friday, March 27, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Missouri Tigers will play against UConn Saturday afternoon in the Elite Eight for a spot in the Final Four.
Missouri guard J.T. Tiller smiles at head coach Mike Anderson as he answers questions from the media during the team's press conference Friday, March 27, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Missouri Tigers will play against UConn Saturday afternoon in the Elite Eight for a spot in the Final Four.
Missouri head coach Mike Anderson smiles as he answers questions from the media during the team's press conference Friday, March 27, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Missouri Tigers will play against UConn Saturday afternoon in the Elite Eight for a spot in the Final Four.
Missouri forward DeMarre Carroll smiles at a question from a reporter during the Missouri press conference Friday, March 27, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Missouri Tigers will play against UConn Saturday afternoon in the Elite Eight for a spot in the Final Four.
Missouri players answer questions from the media during the team press conference Friday, March 27, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Missouri Tigers will play against UConn Saturday afternoon in the Elite Eight for a spot in the Final Four.
Missouri guard J.T. Tiller looks at head coach Mike Anderson as he answers questions from the media during the team press conference Friday, March 27, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Missouri Tigers will play against UConn Saturday afternoon in the Elite Eight for a spot in the Final Four.
Missouri head coach Mike Anderson answers questions from the media during his press conference Friday, March 27, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Missouri Tigers will play against UConn Saturday afternoon in the Elite Eight for a spot in the Final Four.
March 26, 2009
Missouri wins 102-91
Missouri guard Kim English throws the game ball into the air as the clock counts down to zero, solidifying Missouri's 102-91 win over Memphis during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen Regional Semifinal basketball game between the Thursday, March 26, 2009 in the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
The Tigers were once again able to hold off a late run by their opponent in the NCAA Tournament. In a final minute that seemed to take hours, Missouri was able to hit enough free throws to take down Memphis 102-91.
The Tigers will face No. 1 Connecticut on Saturday.
Stay with The Maneater for full game coverage from Glendale.