COLUMBIA The call went out early for Michael Dixon, and almost immediately Missouri coach Frank Haith wondered if he had made the correct decision.From the 17-minute, 43-second mark the earliest insertion of Mizzous mercurial sixth man Dixon this season for the fifth-ranked Tigers to when Dixon went back to the bench with 11:26 to play in the first half, he contributed only one rebound and a turnover.Missouri would go on and beat Texas A&M with ease Monday, 70-51. But at the point Haith took Dixon out, the Aggies led by three and Dixon was, Haith would later agree, almost out of control.Yeah, that was it, Haith said, quickly informing Dixon that he should just get in the flow of the game. Get a sweat going. And let it come to you.When Dixon let the game come to him, in the final 71/2 minutes of the first half, he owned it. Dixon led Missouri, 17-1 overall and 4-1 in the Big 12 Conference, in scoring with 18 points on Monday.But in that closing stretch of the first half with a sellout Mizzou Arena crowd of 15,061 cheering him on Dixon scored 16 of his points. He hit six of eight shots, including four of five threes. That fueled a 28-6 closing sprint that gave the Tigers a 42-23 lead that proved insurmountable, even when A&M scored the first eight points of a second half in which Missouri made only six of 20 shots.Missouri, as usual, received ensemble contributions from other players.Marcus Denmon, despite hitting only one of seven three-point attempts, sank seven of eight free throws on his way to 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Phil Pressey contributed 10 points, going six for six from the line, with seven rebounds. Ricardo Ratliffe scored 17 points with six rebounds.But the name on everyones lips at the end was that of Dixon, the 6-1 junior guard from Lees Summit West who plays basketball at a speed few can imagine, much less match.In basketball you change paces and things like that, Dixon said, adding that he had a couple of different speeds.Dixon, when asked if one of those could be considered slow, tried to say that was possible. But Haith just shook his head no, casting a grin Dixons way.Mike, he could probably start on any other team in the nation, Ratliffe said. I just try to keep up with him. I dont think hes going to miss a layup, but I just try to keep up with him just in case.A&M, 10-7 overall and 1-4 in the Big 12, made a run out of the halftime break. The Aggies, who had four double-figure scorers but none with more than 13 points, pulled within 42-30 with an 8-0 run.With 9:12 to play Missouri led only 51-41, and at 8:10 Missouri led only 54-43.A&M did not score again until a free throw at 4:24 and scored only two baskets in the final 8:09. A&M coach Billy Kennedy said his team participated in its own demise.Throwing alley-oops, taking quick shots, and here at Missouri you dont do that, Kennedy said, when you dont have the firepower that they do offensively.Kennedy also paid tribute to the speed of Dixon and his teammates.Theyve got another gear in them, and thats why theyre so good.

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Missouri speeds away from Texas A&M

Former Lee’s Summit West star has a rough start, but leads Missouri with 18 points in 70-51 win over Texas A&M.

By MIKE DeARMOND

The Kansas City Star

Upon Further Review | SEC dominance

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COLUMBIA -- The call went out early for Michael Dixon, and almost immediately Missouri coach Frank Haith wondered if he had made the correct decision.

From the 17-minute, 43-second mark — the earliest insertion of Mizzou’s mercurial sixth man Dixon this season for the fifth-ranked Tigers — to when Dixon went back to the bench with 11:26 to play in the first half, he contributed only one rebound and a turnover.

Missouri would go on and beat Texas A&M with ease Monday, 70-51. But at the point Haith took Dixon out, the Aggies led by three and Dixon was, Haith would later agree, almost out of control.

“Yeah, that was it,” Haith said, quickly informing Dixon that he should “just get in the flow of the game. Get a sweat going. And let it come to you.”

When Dixon let the game come to him, in the final 71/2 minutes of the first half, he owned it. Dixon led Missouri, 17-1 overall and 4-1 in the Big 12 Conference, in scoring with 18 points on Monday.

But in that closing stretch of the first half — with a sellout Mizzou Arena crowd of 15,061 cheering him on — Dixon scored 16 of his points. He hit six of eight shots, including four of five threes. That fueled a 28-6 closing sprint that gave the Tigers a 42-23 lead that proved insurmountable, even when A&M scored the first eight points of a second half in which Missouri made only six of 20 shots.

Missouri, as usual, received ensemble contributions from other players.

Marcus Denmon, despite hitting only one of seven three-point attempts, sank seven of eight free throws on his way to 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Phil Pressey contributed 10 points, going six for six from the line, with seven rebounds. Ricardo Ratliffe scored 17 points with six rebounds.

But the name on everyone’s lips at the end was that of Dixon, the 6-1 junior guard from Lee’s Summit West who plays basketball at a speed few can imagine, much less match.

“In basketball you change paces and things like that,” Dixon said, adding that he had a couple of different speeds.

Dixon, when asked if one of those could be considered slow, tried to say that was possible. But Haith just shook his head no, casting a grin Dixon’s way.

“Mike, he could probably start on any other team in the nation,” Ratliffe said. “I just try to keep up with him. … I don’t think he’s going to miss a layup, but I just try to keep up with him just in case.”

A&M, 10-7 overall and 1-4 in the Big 12, made a run out of the halftime break. The Aggies, who had four double-figure scorers but none with more than 13 points, pulled within 42-30 with an 8-0 run.

With 9:12 to play Missouri led only 51-41, and at 8:10 Missouri led only 54-43.

A&M did not score again until a free throw at 4:24 and scored only two baskets in the final 8:09. A&M coach Billy Kennedy said his team participated in its own demise.

“Throwing alley-oops, taking quick shots, and here at Missouri you don’t do that,” Kennedy said, “when you don’t have the firepower that they do offensively.”

Kennedy also paid tribute to the speed of Dixon and his teammates.

“They’ve got another gear in them, and that’s why they’re so good.”