Tigers Tourney Tracker — March 28, 2009
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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' 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.
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/
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.