Fun with numbers

Considering how stifling the Missouri women’s basketball team’s defense has been over the past couple weeks, it might come as a surprise to a lot of people how low their defense ranks in the Big 12 statistically.

An opponent hasn’t scored 55 points against the Tigers since November. That stretch includes games against Southeast Missouri State and UT Martin in which those teams only put up 31 and 23 points.

Yet Missouri ranks only fifth in the conference in scoring defense and eleventh in field goal percentage defense. But those numbers don’t seem to be something that Cindy Stein is overly concerned about.

“You know it’s funny because we play in such a great conference,” Stein said. “When you look at those rankings you could be two-tenths of a point off from someone that’s five places ahead of you. It’s just too close. So I don’t really worry about that. I think we’re developing our defense the way we need to.”

Stein does make a good point. The top ranked team in field goal percentage defense and the last ranked team are separated by only 0.087 percentage points. It’s also interesting to note that the team that is currently last in both categories is Oklahoma, a team that is currently ranked No. 5 in the country.

The Tigers’ scoring defense numbers are also somewhat skewed by their game against Holy Cross in which they allowed 94 points in a triple-overtime loss. Outside of that game the Tigers are only giving up 51.3 points per game, which would rank third in the Big 12. 

Stein went on to say that she is more worried about how her team has been executing its offense, which currently ranks last in the Big 12 in points per game.

“I think that we have the capability of having a lot of people be able to score,” Stein said, “it’s just getting us back in the rhythm. I think we have it but I don’t think we’ve hit it yet.”

Big 12 Men’s Update

The conference fell apart in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series, losing four of the last five games to end in a tie at six games each. The final blow came when Texas Tech lost 111-66 to Stanford last night.

Stanford is now 9-0 and won two games in the series. They also beat Colorado back on Nov. 29.

Really, some of the other Big 12 teams struggling is a good sign for Missouri. If some of the marginal teams in the Big 12, like Texas Tech and Kansas State, play poorly, it only increases Missouri’s chances of sneaking into the NCAA Tournament.

The Illinois loss was huge, but it didn’t ruin the season. Like with any major conference team, Missouri’s record in conference play will be the most important part of their postseason hopes.

Craig Brackins, a 6-foot-10 forward from Iowa State was the Big 12 player of the week this week. He averaged an impressive 28 points per game as Iowa State split a pair of games. Brackins scored a career-high 38 in a win at Houston.

Willie Warren was the Big 12 rookie of the week, big surprise. The freshmen scored a career-best 31 in Oklahoma’s only game this week, a win at Rice. Warren is averaging just under 15 points per game and is shooting 57 percent in his past five games. This kid can flat out play.

One thing that these two have in common is that they both won road games this week. Something that Mizzou has yet to accomplish this season. Although it’s worth noting that the Tigers still haven’t played a road game. Their first one is against Georgia on Jan. 3.

Tigers blowing out SEMO at the half

To say the Missouri women’s basketball team has gotten off to a hot start against Southeast Missouri State would be a massive understatement. 

The Tigers took a 40-12 lead into halftime after starting the game on a 29-2 run. Missouri held the Redhawks scoreless for over 11 minutes during one stretch. 

Alyssa Hollins leads the Tigers with 11 points. Check back after the game for postgame notes and the ColumbiaMissourian.com for game stories.

Stinging Loss

For the first time this season, the young Tigers took a step backward last night with a 75-59 loss to a hot-shooting Illinois team. Sure, Missouri lost to Xavier earlier this season, but that was only the team’s third game, Xavier is a very good team, and it would have won had Lyons and Carroll made their free throws down the stretch. It also helped that the Tigers got a chance to redeem themselves and did just three days later with the win against USC.

This one was different. Sure, it didn’t help that Demetri McCamey had perhaps the best first half of his life and Missouri didn’t seem to catch any breaks. But the Tigers were still completely manhandled by the Fighting Illini and never really looked like they had a chance after the 10-0 run that put Illinois up 20-9 just over four minutes into the game. Coach Anderson said afterwards it was the first game all season where his team’s effort didn’t match that of its opponent. He also admitted that the freshman didn’t handle the big stage as well as he would have liked. If you take away three made layups, Paul, English and Denmon were a combined 1-for-15 from the floor.

Now the Tigers get two days off for Christmas, but when they come back, they’ll face the challenge of having to prove themselves all over again. Missouri didn’t look like a top 50 team Tuesday night, let alone Top 25. Unfortunately, the schedule’s not going to help them out this time. The only recognizable name left in the nonconference portion is Georgia, and although the value of a road win can’t be underestimated for this team, no one’s going to be calling a victory in Athens a “quality win”. at this point. The Tigers don’t play a team even receiving votes in either poll until a home date with Baylor on January 31, so it could be quite some time before Missouri can truly redeem themselves in the eyes off the pollsters. Of course, Anderson and his players will be taking one game at a time until then.

***

Missouri wasn’t the only Big 12 team to struggle Tuesday night in perhaps the conference’s worst night of the year. Texas Tech took care of Centenary 67-53, Colorado rallied to beat visiting Louisiana-Monroe 65-62 and Texas got a decent road win at Wisconsin, but three other Big 12 teams fell. Iowa State was stunned at home by previously 5-8 South Dakota State and Nebraska couldn’t quite overcome a 16-point halftime deficit in an embarrasing home loss to 5-5 Maryland Baltimore-County. Meanwhile, the Big 12’s advantage in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series continued to shrink as Kansas fell apart in the second half to lose at Arizona 84-67. Now the Big 12 will need Texas Tech to win at Stanford on Sunday to avoid a tie in this year’s series.

In even more bad news for Missouri’s strength of schedule, Xavier lost its second straight game Tuesday night. The #12 Musketeers lost at home to Butler 74-65.

Turning up the heat

It’s put up or shut up time for Missouri basketball tomorrow night in St. Louis.

The Tigers have done some very good things to make it to 9-1 and earn a #25 ranking, their first since 2003, but we still don’t know a whole lot about this team. Tomorrow night, we’ll get to see it play in front of a large and at least half-hostile crowd for the first time, and it’ll be facing the added pressure of trying to break an 8-game losing streak against the Illini.

Not only would a win tomorrow night make this Christmas a lot merrier for Missouri basketball, but it might start really turning some heads nationally. Tiger fans are slowly starting to come out in bigger numbers, and a win could prove this Tiger team is finally ready to break through. Don’t be surprised if a win in St. Louis significantly helps Missouri’s tournament resumé come March.

On the other hand, if Missouri loses, even in a close game, the fans may just dismiss this team as another mediocre team ready to fall short. Confidence heading into conference play is huge, and even a road win at Georgia might not be enough to prove the Tigers are really ready to turn the corner before they hit the grind of Big 12 play.

It’s dangerous to say so much is at stake for just one game, but if the crowd comes out in the miserable weather and provides the electric atmosphere seen in the past at the Scottrade Center, it might be apt for a game that truly could be a turning point in the sesaon for both teams.

Another mid-major bites the dust

Missouri’s win last night perhaps wasn’t quite as nice as the 78-44 score indicated, since Stetson shot under 30% and 1-for-17 from the 3-point line. Oddly enough, the Hatters’ only succesful 3-pointer was one of their most heavily guarded of the night. Either way, Missouri was clearly the superior team yet again on Saturday, and the Tigers did what they were supposed to do, which isn’t always easy in college basketball.

Next up is the biggest game on Missouri’s nonconference slate, against 10-1 Illinois. The 8-game losing streak for the Tigers isn’t the only thing at stake, as some significant national attention could be garnered if the Tigers can put together another impressive preformance. Coach Anderson and his players say it’s no more important than any other game, but any college basketball fan knows the NCAA selection committee will beg to differ come March. Since the entire team’s been talking about its goal for a national championship since the season started, it’s only logical to assume that in reality, this game does matter a little more than the others.

Additionally, if the Tigers get a win in St. Louis, especially if they can do it in impressive fashion, expect them to crack the AP Top 25 for the first time this season. If they don’t do it tomorrow, that is.

Season hits slow spot

Since Mizzou’s Dec. 7 dismantling of Cal, after which pretty much every writer covering the team praised the Tigers profusely, the schedule has hit a bit of a lull.

Missouri doesn’t schedule games during finals week, and as a result, the Tigers have played just one game in the past 12 days. Needless to say, the closer than expected win over Murray St. and the build up for today’s contest with Stetson haven’t really kept the press busy.

It has been interesting, however, to see how some of the different publications in the region have decided to fill the void.

For our part, the Missourian has profiled a pair of players, senior guard Matt Lawrence and junior forward Keith Ramsey.

Steve Walentik, the beat writer from the Tribune, chose to write a piece about the new three-point line and how it is affecting (or not affecting) players around the Big 12.

The Post-Dispatch is finally catching on that this Missouri team is making some noise so they sent Vahe Gregorian to write something up from Monday’s media day. It was a tough spot for Vahe, considering it was such a slow week for the team. He ended up writing this piece about the newcomers and Kim English’s gym habits, which were both angles we’ve already heard.

And me? Well I’m passing the time by blogging about what other people did to pass the time. Since the media didn’t have any access after Monday this week, there isn’t a lot of fresh content out there. I would recommend that hardcore fans revisit some of the links above to get back into hoops season and gear up for the Stetson game.

A couple of other notable notes:

1. Matt Lawrence was named one of the 30 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award. The award is based on the four C’s of classroom, character, community and competition. After all of the character issues with last year’s team, it’s pretty refreshing to have Matt named to this type of list.

2. Mizzou might be on the brink of its first national ranking in the AP poll in five years. That’s right, Missouri is currently 28th in the AP Poll in terms of votes. Missouri received 44 points in this past week’s poll. Beating Stetson isn’t likely to jump the Tigers too far in next week’s poll. But if Missouri beats Illinois this coming Tuesday, expect it to be ranked the following week.

Mills caps off big week

Missouri redshirt freshman guard Bekah Mills was named Phillips 66 Big 12 Freshman of the Week for her performances in Missouri’s two victories last week.

Mills averaged 14.5 points on 72.7 percent shooting and hit five of her six 3-point attempts. She also snatched six steals in the Tigers victory over UT Martin.

Higgins and Staiger receive Big 12 honors

This week’s Big 12 Player and Rookie of the Week weren’t the usual suspects.

The Player of the Week was Cory Higgins, a sophomore guard from Colorado who scored 33 points in Colorado’s only game this past week, a 75-56 win over Colorado State. Higgins is Colorado’s leading scorer this year, averaging a shade over 18 points per game.

The Rookie of the Week was Lucca Staiger, a sophomore guard at Iowa State. Staiger is a three-point specialist who is shooting 62.5 percent from beyond the arc over his past three games. Staiger, who is from Germany, averaged 16.5 points in two games this week. His season scoring average is eight points per game.

Missouri up big at halftime

The Missouri women’s basketball team has had no trouble handling UT Martin. The Tigers have a 42-13 lead at halftime.

UT Martin has turned the ball over 16 times and the Tigers have scored 22 points off of them. Missouri has also gathered 13 steals. 

Alyssa Hollins has led the Tigers in scoring with eight points. Jessra Johnson has added five points, five rebounds and four assists.

An impressive return

His team may not have won the game, but Kansas City native Isaac Miles certainly made an impression at Mizzou Arena last night. The Bishop Miege (Kan.) graduate said he wasn’t trying to prove anything against a Missouri team that he almost became a part of after high school and again after one year at Creighton.

Either way, the Murray State guard put on a show for his family and friends, scoring a season-high 18 points on 6 of 12 shooting and dishing out 4 assists. Head coach Mike Anderson didn’t seem too surprised, noting that athletes often have extra adrenaline and go for career nights when returning to play in front of their home state.

But give credit to Miles for being able to channel that adrenaline into a fairly controlled performance, instead of just jacking up three-pointers to try and impress people. Miles didn’t seem to be fazed by the crowd and made some key plays to keep his team in a game where they weren’t expected to compete.

Still, Miles wasn’t quite at the same level as Missouri’s starting guards, J.T. Tiller and Zaire Taylor, when the Tigers picked up their intensity. Miles committed a team-high six turnovers, and like many of his teammates, seemed to have some real problems when the pressure was at its highest. It was just one game, but if things had worked out differently and Miles had become a Tiger, he would probably need to learn how to find that next level of intensity to really be successful in Coach Anderson’s system.

Tigers set to tip against UT Martin

The Missouri women’s basketball team will tip-off against UT Martin in about a half hour.

With a victory Missouri (4-4) would move above .500 for the first time since last January. The Tigers are currently on a three game winning streak.

The Skyhawks (1-6) have struggled this season but are led by senior forward Phyllisha Mitchell who ranks fourth in the nation in rebounds per game (12.1) despite being only 5-10. Mitchell also averages 12.1 points per game.

Check back at halftime for news and a score update.

Trap game for Mizzou?

Hey all, I wanted to post this last night but I ran into some Internet issues. My apologies.

Coaches often talk about “trap games.” Trap games are contests that a team should win easily, but a combination of random contextual factors makes it much more difficult than people would think. Tonight’s contest wth the Murray St. Racers could be a trap game for Missouri. Here are a few reasons that the Tigers shouldn’t be looking past Murray State:

1. For starters, the Racers are a pretty decent team. Now I don’t buy into the whole transitive property of good basketball teams. Yes, Murray St. beat Western Kentucky badly. And yes, Western Kentucky beat Louisville, a top ten team. So what does that say about Murray St.? If you ask me, nothing. Still, Murray St. is one of the favorites in the Ohio Valley Conference, and the Racers enter Saturday’s contest with a 5-2 record.

2. Missouri hasn’t played since last Sunday’s win over Cal. The Tigers might be a little rusty after a week off.

3. Speaking of that Cal game, beating the Golden Bears was an emotional win for the Tigers. DeMarre Carroll and Missouri had a lot of bad memories from their loss at California last season, and they were excited to get a little revenge. Plus, anytime you can beat a major conference team on your home floor, it is going to be an exciting game. After an emotional high like that, it can be pretty tough to get motivated for a game against a team that nobody has ever heard of.

4. As Luke metioned in his story that appeared in the Missourian on Friday, the Racers have a local connection in Isaac Miles, who is originally from K.C. and wanted to play at Mizzou. Anytime an opposing team has any extra motivation, you have to be careful.

I still think Missouri will win this game handily, but if they don’t take the Racers seriously, this game could be closer than expected.

Also, on an unrelated note, I went out to eat last night at Outback and the entire Murray St. team was there eating at a table near ours. I’m not sure if any of them ate enough for it to affect their play.

A look around the Big 12

About a month into the women’s college basketball season it looks like the Big 12 is shaping up to be one of the best conferences in the nation for the second straight season. Half  the conference is ranked in the AP’s Top 25 and three teams (Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Texas) have found their way into the top six. Baylor was also able to crack the top ten.

Baylor started its season with a bang by beating No. 3 Stanford by 16 points but then stumbled against unranked Wisconsin. Texas and Texas A&M have both notched a couple decent wins. The Aggies defeated No. 16 Pittsburgh earlier this year while Texas cruised to 20-plus point victories against Old Dominion and Georgia Tech, both of which are sitting just outside the top 25.

No. 24 Oklahoma State and No. 25 Kansas State are the final two Big 12 teams that are currently in the Top 25. The Wildcats are currently 8-0 and have an average margin of victory of 19 points. But Oklahoma State has struggled a bit. After an 11 point loss to No. 10 Duke in the season opener the Cowgirls suffered another setback in a 14 point loss Arkansas-Little Rock. 

If there’s one complaint that could be made about this conference it’s that it’s a little top heavy. Outside of the top six teams no one has really distinguished themselves from the rest of the pack. 

If Missouri continues to improve, the door is going to be open to pick up quite a few conference victories despite the strength of the Big 12.

Big 12 names co-players of the week

The Big 12 finally got a chance to give someone else its weekly honor last week, and it took full advantage of it.

Iowa St.’s Craig Brackens and Texas’ A.J. Abrams earned the honors this week. Brackens, a sophomore, averaged 22.5 points and 13 rebounds in wins against Northern Iowa and Oregon St. He scored 31 points in the overtime win at Northern Iowa. Abrams was just as impressive in the one game he played, a 31-point performance in a big win over ranked UCLA. For what surely won’t be the last time, a Kansas freshman was named Big 12 Newcomer of the week. Tyshawn Taylor averaged 15 points and 5.3 assists in easy wins against Kent St., New Mexico St. and Jackson St. You’d have to imagine Kim English got some consideration after averaging 14.5 and shooting 7-of-11 from three-point range in Missouri’s two wins.

Oh, and that Blake Griffin guy? All he did was average 22.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in two wins against USC and Tulsa. Of course, both of those numbers were well below his average, especially in rebounding, where he’s now only averaging 16.3 per game.

Oklahoma and Texas are continuing to show themselves to be the class of the conference. The only loss between the two is Texas’ one-point loss at Notre Dame earlier in the season. It’s safe to say they’ve recovered, having beaten #16 UCLA and #15 Villanova in the last week.

The conference features five other one-loss teams, but quality wins are few and far between for most. Missouri has one of the best against USC on a neutral court, but Baylor probably deserves more credit for winning at home against Arizona St. and on the road against Washington St. Not surprisingly, the Big 12 North looks to be significantly weaker than the South early on. K-State has three close losses to average teams, and Colorado and Iowa State have had embarrassing home stumbles against mid-majors, including the Cyclones’ 66-63 loss to Drake last night.

Missouri looks very capable of competing against most of these teams, and surely Leo Lyons and DeMarre Carroll will get player of the week honors at some point this year. Maybe not this week, though, as Oklahoma gets home games against Maine and Utah. Something tells me Griffin might do well in those games.