University of Missouri

Mizzou doesn’t use travel delay as excuse

Missouri head coach Kim Anderson calls in the play against Arizona during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Missouri head coach Kim Anderson calls in the play against Arizona during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) AP

Missouri spent nine hours stuck in the airport in Lubbock, Texas, after the team’s charter experienced a mechanical failure with the landing gear during a refueling stop.

As frustrating as it was, Tigers coach Kim Anderson refused to blame any of his team’s struggles in an 88-52 loss Sunday at No. 13 Arizona on the travel issues.

“I wouldn’t do Arizona the disservice of saying that had something to do with the game,” he said. “No, I mean, we got here at 12:30 (a.m.). We had eight or nine hours of sleep. We had a walkthrough today. Would I have liked to have practice (Saturday)? Sure, but they played too well for me to even approach that. (Arizona) deserves a lot of credit.”

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Missouri’s players seemed to handle the delay well.

“I was just relaxing and taking that time off that I thought we needed,” freshman guard Terrence Phillips said.

Tod Palmer: 816-234-4389, @todpalmer

By the numbers

0

Three-pointers by freshman guard Cullen VanLeer, who had made at least one in the first eight games of his career.

1.000

Career shooting percentage for Adam Wolf, a walk-on from Beaver Dam (Wisc.) High. He swished a three-pointer from the right wing as a late-game sub.

3

Appearances this season by sophomore guard Jimmy Barton, a transfer from Houston Baptist. He also played against Maryland-Eastern Shore and Kansas State.

This story was originally published December 13, 2015 at 9:48 PM with the headline "Mizzou doesn’t use travel delay as excuse."

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