Boulder – The Coors Events Center doesn’t provide seatbelts, so fans at tonight’s men’s basketball game between Colorado and Missouri should hold on tight.
This could be a wild ride.
Arriving from Alabama-Birmingham, first-year Missouri coach Mike Anderson brought his version of the frenetic “40 minutes of hell” popularized by Nolan Richardson. Anderson played for Richardson at Tulsa and then served as an assistant under him at Arkansas.
Missouri employs a full-court press for the entire game, hoping to ignite fast breaks by forcing turnovers in the open court. Anderson disagrees with anybody that calls his style “run and gun.” His system is driven by a trapping defense, one that led the nation in steals for three seasons (2002-2005) at UAB. Missouri players have bought in. The Tigers top the Big 12 Conference in steals (11.0 per game) this season and rank third in scoring (78.8).
“They like to run,” CU freshman guard Xavier Silas said Tuesday. “I think it might be harder for them to run up here, though.”
Any questions about whether Missouri (11-6, 0-4 Big 12) will dare to sprint though 40 minutes at high elevation tonight were answered this week when it was revealed the team recently added altitude training to its regular regimen. According to a story in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Mizzou players have used a Hypoxico machine, which includes a mask worn by a pilot in a jet fighter, for three or four five- minute sessions during their workouts.
The Hypoxico reduces the oxygen in the air and simulates the effects of physical exertion at 21,500 feet. The body learns to produce more energy with less oxygen – a tactic used by distance runners and cyclists. Missouri plans to continue to use the device throughout the season.
“I guess Missouri players saw the quotes from Acie Law (of Texas A&M) and Kevin Durant (Texas), who said they couldn’t breathe when they were here,” Silas said. “But I don’t know why Missouri would use (a Hypoxico machine). Maybe it will help them. But it seems like it’s kind of a mental thing now.”
Colorado (5-10, 1-4) ranks 11th in Big 12 scoring (68.5). But with a youthful roster, the Buffs have played better at a faster pace.
“It looks like it’s just going to be up and down for both teams, with not a lot of plays called,” CU freshman point guard Kal Bay said.
Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
Missouri at CU men
When: Today, 7 p.m.
Where: Coors Events Center, Boulder
Records: Missouri (11-6, 0-4 Big 12); CU (5-10, 1-4)
TV/radio: FSN/KVCU 1190 AM; KKZN 760 AM (joined in progress)
Notes: Colorado hopes to extend its recent hex on Missouri. In the series, the Buffaloes have won the past four meetings in Boulder and five of the past seven overall. Before that, Missouri had dominated the series with eight straight victories. … Under new coach Mike Anderson, Mizzou enters as the only Big 12 team without a conference victory. … CU junior guard Richard Roby confirmed that, if a decision had to be made right now, he is leaning toward returning next season. Last spring, Roby applied for the 2006 NBA draft but pulled out. “I’m not going to make any major decisions until after the season, until we figure out who will be coaching our team next year,” Roby said. … Statistically, MU sophomore guard Matt Lawrence is the most improved player in the Big 12. His current scoring average of 12.2 computes to an increase of 10.7 over his freshman season.
TOM KENSLER
