Kareem Rush scored 15 points while Arthur Johnson added his seventh double-double of the season leading the 19th-ranked Missouri Tigers past Big 12 foe Texas A & M at the Hearnes Center last night 74-50. Johnson was big underneath, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Tigers could not put away the Aggies until the second-half of the second-half. Missouri closed the game on a 24-8 run. The win improves Mizzou to 13-4 on the season, they are 3-1 in the Big 12. A & M is now 6-11 overall, 0-3 in the conference. After the game, Missouri head coach Quin Snyder talked about the win.
Snyder Readies Tigers For Aggies
The 19th-ranked Missouri Tigers will return home on Wednesday to host Texas A & M in Big 12 action. The Tigers are 12-4 on the season, Aggies 6-10. The last time out, Mizzou took care of Kansas State 81-66 in Manhattan. The Tigrs are 8-1 alltime against the Aggies, including a 77-62 win in the first round of last season’s Big 12 Tournament. Quin Snyder met with the media on Tuesday to talk about that game and his team.
AP Preseason Poll has Mizzou 8th
The Associated Press released its mens college basketball preseason poll yesterday and it included the Missouri Tigers. Quin Snyder’s bunch is ranked 8th, they are one of five Big 12 teams in the top 25. The others are Kansas (7th), Oklahoma State (18th), Texas (23rd) and Oklahoma (25th). Defending National Champion Duke is #1. The Tigers will play their final exhibition game tonight at the hearnes Center as they host the Illinois All-Stars.
Tigers A Preseason Top Ten
The Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team continues to get high marks this preseason. The first ESPN/USA Today coaches poll has Quin Snyder’s squad ranked ninth in the country. Only one other Big 12 school is ranked in the top ten, that’s Kansas at seven – Duke is number one. Missouri plays its first exhibition game tommorrow in Columbia against the California All-Stars.
Snyder, Stein Agree to Contract Extensions
The University of Missouri will officially announce contract extensions for men’s head basketball coach Quin Snyder and women’s head coach Cindy Stein. Terms are expected to be announced at a press conference today. Both squads are coming off NCAA tournament births last season. The men’s 2001-02 schedule was released yesterday. The campaign begins on November 13th as Mizzou hosts Tennessee-Martin. The Big 12 opener for the Tigers will come on January 5th when they host Nebraska.
McKinney Gives Tigers Verbal
The incoming freshman class of 2002 for Missouri basketball looks to have its first member as Vashon High School standout Jimmy McKinney has given a verbal commitment to the University. McKinney made the announcement at a press conference yesterday. The 6-4 high school senior-to-be averaged 23.4 points per game last season.
MU commitment not yet official
Internet and St. Louis television reports stated Tuesday that Vashon High School basketball star Jimmy McKinney had orally committed to playing at the University of Missouri. A senior-to-be, McKinney is indeed in Columbia today, playing in a summer basketball league. But McKinney denies the report but said he would make a public statement Thursday. While denying the commitment, McKinney’s coach Floyd Irons has said his star player is interested in playing for coach Quin Snyder at MU. Last season, in leading Vashon to a 4A state title, McKinney averaged 23.4 points per game.
Missouri Adds to Recruiting Class
Quin Snyder has added to his incoming recruiting class at the University of Missouri. Yesterday, junior college center Uche Okafor (ooh-CHAY OAK-uh-four) signed a national letter of intent to attend the University of Missouri. Okafor spent the past two seasons at the College of Southern Idaho where the 6’11” post player averaged 9.2 points and 7.2 boards a game. He choose Mizzou over Illinois, North Carolina State, North Carolina, Connecticut and Memphis.
Rush May Return This Season
There is now talk that sophomore sensation Kareem Rush could return to the Missouri Tiger line-up before the season is over. Rush was leading Missouri in scoring when he suffered what was thought to be a season-ending thumb injury two weeks ago. But on Monday both Rush and head coach Quin Snyderhinted at the possibility of a return for the sophomore in time for the Big 12 Tournament or even the regular season finale against Kansas.
Gilbert to Return Tonight
The indefinate suspension of Missouri Tiger junior guard Clarence Gilbert was lifted by head coach Quin Snyder on Tuesday. Gilbert practiced with the team yesterday and will be in uniform for tonight’s 7:00 tip-off against Colorado. Gilbert missed one game due to his suspension, Sunday’s loss to Iowa State. The Tigers are 15-8 on the season, 6-4 in the Big 12 heading into tonight’s contest.