Missouri notes: Coach Kim Anderson looks for silver lining
Missouri had several things to hang its hat on despite an 84-69 loss Wednesday at Arkansas.
For example, the Tigers’ freshmen combined for 48 points.
It wasn’t quite the same story in MU’s 76-53 loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday.
“At Arkansas, you saw signs, flashes, where the young guys played really well,” MU first-year coach Kim Anderson said. “Today was a little different deal. That’s not an excuse. That’s just who younger players are, trying to get better.”
Perhaps Anderson will decide a season-low seven turnovers Saturday against Vanderbilt is a bright spot, especially weighed against MU’s 11 assists. It was only the sixth time this season Missouri had more assists than turnovers.
Senior Keith Shamburger was rock solid Saturday, with nine points on four-of-eight shooting, four rebounds and a game-high eight assists, the second-most of the season.
“I don’t know where that silver lining’s going to come, but I will also tell you I’ll find one,” Anderson said. “Sometime tonight or tomorrow, I’ll find one, because the only thing I can do is remain positive.”
First half
Key play: Near the 4-minute mark, senior guard Keith Shamburger’s inbound pass under the Missouri basket went off freshman D’Angelo Allen’s face and out of bounds for a turnover. It’s been that kind of season.
Key stat: Vanderbilt went five of 11 from three-point range, led by freshman Matthew Fisher-Davis, who made all three deep tries in the first half.
Second half
Key play: Vanderbilt had extended an eight-point halftime lead to 50-35 when MU freshman guard Tramaine Isabell dribbled a ball off his own foot and out of bounds with 11:53 remaining. It’s been that kind of season.
Key stat: Vanderbilt outrebounded Missouri 27-9 in the second half, finishing with a 46-26 edge on the glass. It’s the worst rebounding deficit of the season for the Tigers, who allowed 12 second-half offensive rebounds.
To reach Tod Palmer, call 816-234-4389 or send email to tpalmer@kcstar.com. Follow him on Twitter at @todpalmer.
This story was originally published February 21, 2015 at 10:33 PM with the headline "Missouri notes: Coach Kim Anderson looks for silver lining."