Basketball makes statement in Cal victory

A crowd of more than 8,000 showed up to watch the win.

By Lenny Goldman

Published Dec. 7, 2008

On Saturday night, the wheels collapsed from beneath the Missouri football team. The Oklahoma Sooners rolled into Kansas City and broke the hearts of Tiger fans by derailing MU in the Big 12 Championship game.

But just more than 12 hours later, Missouri fans found a new wagon to ride. A season high of 8,310 fans entered Mizzou Arena to watch the basketball team take on a tough non-conference opponent in the California Golden Bears.

“Hopefully we can be something to lean on,” junior guard Zaire Taylor said. “This is definitely a football town as far as the fans coming out to the games, but we definitely have a strong fan support, and we felt them today. When we came out early I think they gave us a big boost and they pushed us.”

With the extra oomph from the rowdy crowd the Tigers came out and put on a show. Senior forwards DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons led the way early, scoring 18 of Missouri’s first 20 points.

“It was amazing,” Carroll said. “We got out to a fast start. We were moving the ball. I say we have the most unselfish team in the country.”

By the time 10 minutes slipped off the clock, Missouri had opened up a 34-13 lead over the Pac-10 team that beat them 86-72 last year.

Every bit of energy the players poured onto the court, the fans matched. They roared for solid defense, breakaway layups and nailed jump shots.

“They were just having fun,” coach Mike Anderson said. “Can you imagine having 16,000 in here every night? It just takes these guys to another level. When that takes place it just takes them to another level.”

On Sunday, that level meant functioning on all cylinders. Carroll and Lyons contributed inside with 37 combined points while freshmen guards Marcus Denmon and Kim English led the backcourt with 30 combined points.

The only real struggle for the Tigers came from behind the arc in the first half, where they shot one of 12. English turned that around in the second half by hitting four 3-pointers including one stretch where he drained three consecutive shots from long range.

“It started on defense,” English said. “My teammates had seen I was hot so they just kept on finding me and the shots were falling.”

The Tigers went on to win 93-66, making a statement: Missouri basketball is back. This became clear when the alumni section rose to its feet cheering as the Tigers put on a show in the first half.

“It’s a whole new team,” Carroll said. “It’s a whole new era and we’re looking forward to bigger and better things this year.”