COLUMBIA | The three-game exhibition basketball tour that Missouri has embarked upon this weekend in Ontario isn’t about winning or losing.At least not about winning and losing a game against the Ontario All-Stars at 4:30 p.m. today, Brock University at 1 p.m. Sunday or the South Ontario All-Stars at 9 a.m. Monday.It’s about a Missouri team that will suit up seven players who have never played a minute for Mizzou. It’s about five of those players being true freshmen. It’s about getting to know what makes a teammate tick.“I want my guys to go out and compete, play hard,” MU coach Mike Anderson said before the team departed Friday, “but to take the opportunity to bond a little bit.”For the first time, Anderson seems to feel this is his team. Not that the previous two MU teams weren’t. Only seniors Matt Lawrence and Leo Lyons remain from the Quin Snyder era.Veteran DeMarre Carroll was an Anderson recruit, as well as the head coach’s nephew. So was J.T. Tiller, Anderson’s son Michael Jr. and Justin Safford.And now: new juniors Zaire Taylor and Keith Ramsey. And freshmen Miguel Paul, Marcus Denmon, Laurence Bowers, Kim English and Steve Moore.“That’s the bottom line,” Anderson said. “There’s a freshness, a newness with these guys.“And now we can see if the ownership will take place, and the leadership. That’s going to be two important components of our team.”Anderson’s prime job on this trip is to meld together the survivors of last season’s on- and off-court struggles with a group of high school and junior-college hotshots who think they see immediate success just around the corner.“I’m here to win a national championship,” said freshman shooting guard Marcus Denmon.Brave words, certainly. A worthy goal. But Denmon and the newbies will learn on this trip what is expected of them. How much commitment it takes. Those lessons will come from the older players.“They know me better than any of those other guys,” Anderson said. “The old guys know what I expect.”

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Posted on Fri, Aug. 29, 2008 10:15 PM

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New faces crowd Missouri’s lineup for weekend trip to Ontario

By MIKE DeARMOND

The Kansas City Star

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COLUMBIA | The three-game exhibition basketball tour that Missouri has embarked upon this weekend in Ontario isn’t about winning or losing.

At least not about winning and losing a game against the Ontario All-Stars at 4:30 p.m. today, Brock University at 1 p.m. Sunday or the South Ontario All-Stars at 9 a.m. Monday.

It’s about a Missouri team that will suit up seven players who have never played a minute for Mizzou. It’s about five of those players being true freshmen. It’s about getting to know what makes a teammate tick.

“I want my guys to go out and compete, play hard,” MU coach Mike Anderson said before the team departed Friday, “but to take the opportunity to bond a little bit.”

For the first time, Anderson seems to feel this is his team. Not that the previous two MU teams weren’t. Only seniors Matt Lawrence and Leo Lyons remain from the Quin Snyder era.

Veteran DeMarre Carroll was an Anderson recruit, as well as the head coach’s nephew. So was J.T. Tiller, Anderson’s son Michael Jr. and Justin Safford.

And now: new juniors Zaire Taylor and Keith Ramsey. And freshmen Miguel Paul, Marcus Denmon, Laurence Bowers, Kim English and Steve Moore.

“That’s the bottom line,” Anderson said. “There’s a freshness, a newness with these guys.

“And now we can see if the ownership will take place, and the leadership. That’s going to be two important components of our team.”

Anderson’s prime job on this trip is to meld together the survivors of last season’s on- and off-court struggles with a group of high school and junior-college hotshots who think they see immediate success just around the corner.

“I’m here to win a national championship,” said freshman shooting guard Marcus Denmon.

Brave words, certainly. A worthy goal. But Denmon and the newbies will learn on this trip what is expected of them. How much commitment it takes. Those lessons will come from the older players.

“They know me better than any of those other guys,” Anderson said. “The old guys know what I expect.”

To reach Mike DeArmond, call 816-234-4353 or send e-mail to mdearmond@kcstar.com.

Posted on Fri, Aug. 29, 2008 10:15 PM

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