Columbia, Mo. ? For about six minutes, Missouri players, coaches and fans had every right to believe that a pregame video in Mizzou Arena of the Tigers knocking off the Jayhawks each of the past two seasons would be extended when this game rolled around next year.
Then, Kansas University’s sophomore duo of Julian Wright and Brandon Rush had to get involved.
They scored a combined 54 points to help the Jayhawks run away with a 92-74 victory.
Missouri players won’t say they bought into the hype surrounding Wright and Rush, the preseason Co-Big 12 Players of the Year. Rather, it was forced down their throats. Knowing they possibly could have done more about it was what drove the Tigers to long, sullen faces during postgame interview sessions.
“They play like they’re advertised – All-American players,” said Mizzou sophomore Matt Lawrence. “They stepped up and played, and that’s (Kansas’) head. And that’s the type of guys we need to cut off, and we didn’t cut them off today.”
Lawrence hit an early three, which contributed to a 16-8 Missouri lead at the 14:13 mark in the first half.
He also contributed to an 0-for-16 slump the Tigers endured after that, as KU ripped off a 24-2 run. During that run, Rush and Wright combined for 11 points, including a three from Rush to cap it.
In that stretch, first-year Tiger coach Mike Anderson tried everything short of pulling a fan out of the stands to play, as he rested starters periodically and tried to find a spark from the bench.
“No matter who we brought in, we just couldn’t (find it) for some reason,” Anderson said.
“That was hard,” Missouri big man Kalen Grimes added. “Kansas is a great team, what, top-10 or something like that? They’re just one of the best teams in the conference, let alone the country, so it’s going to be tough (to come back) on any team like that.”
Lawrence maintained neither Rush nor Wright emotionally stung the Tigers for good.
“It’s a rivalry game, so that kind of stuff shouldn’t matter,” Lawrence said. “Jerseys shouldn’t matter, names shouldn’t matter. I hope guys didn’t let that get to their heads and all the hype with those guys. I just look at it like another team.”
