If Missouri’s 94-40 win over Lithuania Academy was any indication of what is to come in Mike Anderson’s first season at the helm, then fans better start bringing apples to the games because there will be plenty of turnovers.
Anderson, who lives and dies by pressure defense, got his coaching stint in Columbia off to a good start with two lopsided exhibition games. Monday, the Tigers forced 41 turnovers and got 22 points from Marshall Brown. Mizzou stole the ball 26 times from Lithuania and held them to 10-of-46 shooting. The game did not count towards Mizzou’s record, but it went a long ways towards building their confidence. Regular-season play begins Friday when the Tigers host the John Thompson Classic. Their first opponent will be North Carolina A&T.
Newcomer Stefhon Hannah was the spark plug for Missouri. His steals led to many fast-break points and several alley-oops to Brown. Hannah finished with 16 points and nine assists.