Tigers dominate turnover battle

By Sam Wilson

Published March 7, 2008

An MU men’s basketball player is allowed one turnover per practice.

Sophomore guard Keon Lawrence said the player must run for each additional turnover; the amount of running depends on coach Mike Anderson’s mood that day.

“If he feels like we’re just being sloppy, he just makes us run,” Lawrence said.

Anderson’s emphasis on turnovers paid off on Wednesday.

The Tigers beat Iowa State 81-75 in double overtime. Missouri had just five turnovers, compared to Iowa State’s 17.

“I think that’s the difference in the game,” Anderson said. “Because we scored off a lot of those turnovers. That’s part of what we do, that’s part of our offense.”

MU had 16 points from turnovers in the game, compared to four for Iowa State. In 30 games this season, the team has won or tied in the turnover category 24 times.

“That’s something we work on every single day,” junior forward Leo Lyons said. “I’m not surprised by us winning the turnover battle.”

On the season, the team has turned the ball over 386 times. Opponents have 512 turnovers.

Wednesday, MU was able to attempt 75 field goals, while the Cyclones only attempted 51.

“Not turning the ball over gives you a whole lot more possessions,” Lyons said. “So, if you win a possession war you’ll likely win the game too.”

Wednesday, Anderson said the team was able to tire out the Cyclones.

“Our pressure defense created a lot of havoc,” Anderson said.

The Tigers had 14 of their 16 points from turnovers in the second half and the two overtimes.

“We found some kind of energy,” Anderson said. “And our fans kept us in it.”

Lawrence said it isn’t uncommon for the opponent to be fatigued at the end of the game.

“Wear and tear takes place,” he said. “It even takes place on us. Sometimes we’ve just got to calm down and move the ball and catch our breath and then attack.”

But overall, Lawrence said he feels the other team is usually more tired late in the second half.

“Sometimes we don’t take advantage of it,” he said. “Tonight, I think we took advantage of it.”

Lawrence said it is key for the team to continue winning the turnover battle.

“We’re going to have to,” he said. “Because if we don’t, the other team is going to take advantage of our turnovers. If we can get five turnovers a game, that’s good.”

The Tigers are now 16-14 overall and 6-9 in Big 12 play.

They are tied with Nebraska at No. 9 in the conference. Oklahoma State and Texas Tech are both 7-8 and tied for the No. 7 position, but MU does not have the head-to-head tiebreak on either of those teams, leaving ninth place as the team’s best possible finish. Missouri can finish no worse than No. 10 in the league, as No. 11 Iowa State slipped to 4-11 in league play.

The Tigers’ final regular-season game is at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Oklahoma.

Nebraska plays Sunday at Colorado. MU will open the Big 12 tournament in Kansas City on Thursday against an opponent yet to be determined.

Lawrence said it will be key for the team to continue winning the turnover battle.

“We’re going to have to,” he said. “Because if we don’t, the other team is going to take advantage of our turnovers. If we can get five turnovers a game, that’s good.”