SB Nation Kansas City - Missouri vs. Alcorn State: Tigers look to rebound from sluggish starthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2012-11-13T11:54:47-06:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/34043212012-11-13T11:54:47-06:002012-11-13T11:54:47-06:00Pressey, Dixon make Naismith watch list
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kBxiLGKvrBe8a57pGm0y5OK_iHg=/0x52:467x363/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3198753/141126889.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jamie Squire</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The annual list includes 50 of the top college basketball players in the nation.</p> <p>The preseason <a href="http://www.naismithawards.com/PressBox/ArticleView/tabid/209/ArticleId/47/McDermott-and-Zeller-Highlight-2012-2013-Naismith-Early-Season-Watch-List.aspx">Naismith Award watch list</a> has been revealed, and two <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/missouri-tigers">Missouri Tigers</a> have made the cut. Frank Haith has plenty of talent to work with this year, anchored by stars Michael Dixon, Jr. and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123927/phil-pressey">Phil Pressey</a>. </p>
<p>Pressey was a preseason All-American, so it's not a surprise to see him on the list. Dixon is also a strong player and the two should help offset the loss of players like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52472/marcus-denmon">Marcus Denmon</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52475/kim-english">Kim English</a> to the pros. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.naismithawards.com/PressBox/ArticleView/tabid/209/ArticleId/47/McDermott-and-Zeller-Highlight-2012-2013-Naismith-Early-Season-Watch-List.aspx">From the press release</a>, "<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">The 50-player watch list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, which based its criteria on player performances from the previous year and expectations for the 2012-2013 college basketball season. The Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year presented by AT&T will be awarded on April 7, 2013 in Atlanta."</span></p>
<p>Pressey scored 19 points and had 9 assists in the Tigers' season opening game against SEMO. Dixon has yet to play this season due to a suspension.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/missouri-tigers/2012/11/13/3640884/phil-pressey-michael-dixon-jr-naismith-preseason-watch-listMatt Conner2012-11-13T10:33:22-06:002012-11-13T10:33:22-06:00Missouri hopes to develop chemistry vs. Alcorn St.
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/exbUQvHgNjCYGioT7IQoM5ZwogU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828121/large_kansascity.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/missouri-tigers">Missouri Tigers</a> lost a lot of great basketball players from last year's 30-win team that won the Big 12 tournament. While the Tigers had plenty of talent coming in for the 2012-13 season, it's a mix that needs time to gel. It's something he hopes can happen before the schedule ramps up.</p>
<p>That means Tuesday night's game against Alcorn State presents the perfect opportunity for the team to come together and learn how to play. The talent is clearly there for the No. 14 ranked Tigers, and now it's time to find their stride.</p>
<p>"It's coming, but I want it better," said Haith about his team's chemistry after the season-opening win against Southeast Missouri State. "We had 20 assists tonight. You know, you go out and have 20 assists in a ball game, that's pretty impressive. We turned the ball over a little more in exhibition, we came out tonight and had 12, and a couple of them were late, charge calls.</p>
<p>"So I was really excited about how well we took care of that, that's a good sign of how well you trust one another and how you're sharing the basketball."</p>
<p>Mizzou and Alcorn State square off tonight at 7 p.m. CT.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/missouri-tigers/2012/11/13/3640468/missouri-vs-alcorn-state-frank-haith-chemistryMatt Conner2012-11-13T09:48:26-06:002012-11-13T09:48:26-06:00Missouri hope to shake early season rust
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UT4-5iuGcOMHa5RgCYWinAkxmj8=/0x32:451x333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3190107/141031784.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jamie Squire</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Tigers were less than stellar in their opener against SIU-Edwardsville.</p> <p>While the No. 14 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/missouri-tigers" class="sbn-auto-link">Missouri Tigers</a> started the 2012-13 season with a victory, it wasn't a particularly impressive one against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville on Saturday. The 83-69 win was far from covering the 30-point spread in favor of the Tigers as they racked up 12 turnovers, compared to just eight for SIU-Edwardsville.</p>
<p>The Alcorn State Braves won their opener by a much more convincing margin, as they dominated the Oakwood Ambassadors, 85-41. That's far from the competition they'll face from the Tigers, though, when the two teams tip off on Tuesday night.</p>
<p>Missouri was led in their opener by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52474/laurence-bowers" class="sbn-auto-link">Laurence Bowers</a>, who missed the 2011-12 season with a knee injury. On Saturday he accumulated 20 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes. For the Braves, the leader is <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/176827/leantwan-luckett" class="sbn-auto-link">LeAntwan Luckett</a>, a sophomore that earned 15 points, four rebounds and three assists in the opener against Oakwood.</p>
<p>Tip-off on Tuesday night is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/missouri-tigers/2012/11/13/3640216/missouri-vs-alcorn-state-basketball-preview-2012Adam Stites