Missouri Head Coach Mike Anderson was named one of 10 finalists for the U.S Basketball Writers Association 2009 Henry Iba Award, which honors the association’s national coach of the year.

Anderson has turned Mizzou around to a 24-5 record this season and has the Tigers back in the national rankings and a guaranteed third place finish in the Big 12.  Missouri is the Big 12’s most improved team this season, going from 16 wins in 2007-08, to 24 wins this year. 

Anderson is one of three Big 12 coaches selected as finalists for the award. Anderson joins Oklahoma’s Jeff Capel and Kansas’ Bill Self, along with John Calipari (Memphis), Jamie Dixon (Pittsburgh), Mike Montgomery (California), Stew Morrill (Utah State), Matt Painter (Purdue), Oliver Purnell (Clemson) and Brad Stevens (Butler).

The presentation of this year’s award will take place on Friday, April 3 at the USBWA’s annual awards breakfast at the downtown Detroit Athletic Club in conjunction with the Men’s Final Four.

Mizzou looks to bounce back this Wednesday against #4 Oklahoma at Mizzou Arena where the Tigers are undefeated.  Listen to Mike Anderson’s comments on the upcoming game which proves to be an even bigger test for the Tigers following Sunday’s blowout loss at KU.

Download/listen to Mike Anderson (1:15 mp3)