Missouri likes to play a press defense. Coach Mike Anderson is a Nolan Richardson disciple and has sought to bring "40 minutes of hell" to the Tiger defense. To play that way, though, you need to rotate players and experience in the backcourt to put the pressure on the opponent when bringing up the ball. Missouri's backcourt experience took a big hit with guard Keon Lawrence asking for and receiving his release from his scholarship. Ostensibly, it was because the New Jersey native wanted to be closer to his family, but maybe not.
"It's not my teammates, and it's not the fans. That should tell you something," Lawrence said of his reasons for leaving.He backed away from that statement later to the "need to be closer to home" chestnut. He is likely focusing on Big East schools.
For the Tigers, they lose the guy who played the most minutes for them last year and took the most shots. Among the returning players he was also their third leading scorer returning to the team and the leading assist player.
It also leaves them painfully thin with experienced guards. J.T. Tiller and Matt Lawrence are the only returning scholarship guards. Behind them they have a junior transfer from Delaware, Zaire Taylor, and 3 freshmen.
One player transferring shouldn't be a big deal. After last season, though, with the off-campus problems and suspensions, it's another roadblock.
For a team entering its 3d season under Anderson, there is only so much that can still be pinned on the Quinn Snyder reign. Right now it looks like the Tigers will just be trying to tread water in the lower half of the increasingly competitive Big 12.
