The Missouri Tigers will open up their regular season tonight at the Hearnes Center against American University. This is Quin Snyder’s 4th year as Mizzou’s head coach. The Tigers made an improbable run to the Elite 8 in last years NCAA Tournament, going 24-12 in 2001-2002. This season, 55% of their scoring is gone with the departure of Kareem Rush and Clarence Gilbert. However, Ricky Paulding, Travon Bryant, Arthur Johnson and junior college transfer Ricky Clemens should pick up the load. Tonight’s opponent, the American University Eagles, put together a decent season last year as well. They were the regular season champs of the Patriot League, but lost in the conference tournament finals to Holy Cross. Their 18-10 record wasn’t enough to get them into the NCAA tourney. Mizzou is ranked 18th in the coaches poll and 20th in the AP.