This is the type of season you can expect from the Missouri Tigers in 2008. You’re going to see some stinkers like the Xavier game when they only hit 15 of 31 free throws and can’t win. Then you’re going to see games like this where they beat some tough teams.
The Tigers beat 19 th ranked USC 83-72 to improve to 4-1 on the year. Demarre Carroll led the Tigers with a career high 29 points while pulling in a double-double with 11 rebounds. Carroll was 11 of 17 from the field and 3 for 3 from the three point line.
USC started off playing well leading 43-37 thanks to 48% shooting and 4 of 8 on three pointers. The Trojans led by as much as 12 with two minutes to play in the first half. The Tigers kept battling back the entire second half tying the game at 55 with 12:11 to play. The Trojans would regain the lead, but Miguel Paul would tie it with a layup for two of his seven points. Paul and fellow freshman Keith Ramsey combined for 15 of the Tigers 27 bench points.
The Tigers grabbed their first lead since three minutes into the game when Ramsey completed a three point play to give the Tigers a 62-61 lead with 8:44 to play. The Tigers took the lead for good when JT Tiller hit a three pointer with 7:11 to go putting Mizzou up 66-64. The Tiger defense forced five turnovers in a two in a half minute stretch to build their lead to double digits with 2:33 to go.
This win over USC is the first under Mike Anderson over a ranked opponent outside of the Big 12.