"Anderson's Elite Eight team went 31-7 during the 2008-2009 season, but lost its top three scorers in DeMarre Carroll (16.6 points), Leo Lyons (14.6) and Matt Lawrence (9.2).
Missouri went 23-11 the next season, including 1-1 in the NCAA Tournament with a victory over Clemson and loss to West Virginia, with sophomore guard Kim English improving his scoring average from 6.5 to 14.6 points, sophomore guard Marcus Denmon improving from 6.0 to 10.4, sophomore forward Laurence Bowers from 3.7 to 10.2, junior forward Justin Stafford from 3.4 to 8.6 and with freshman guard Michael Dixon averaging 8.1 points.
"We were right back in the NCAA Tournament the next year because we were a team," Anderson said. "When someone leaves, it gives another guy opportunities.
"You're going to look at this team next year and say, 'Man, I didn't know this guy could do that."
Here was his recruiting class for that year
https://rivals.yahoo.com/missouri/basketball/recruiting/commitments/2009
He did this in the Big 12, which is arguably tougher than the weak ole SEC. Hopefully we get at least one more recruit in this class and you can speculate all that you want but the man has a track record that can't be ignored or denied. Sure there are questions for next year. Consider me in the nervous crowd as well but let's let it play out before we write next season off. I really don't like being the constant defender but i'm going to continue to do me even if that means losing any board cred. Someone accuse me of thinking i was a Razors Edge Celebrity the other day and it made me laugh. I don't feel that way at all. Actually, in real life i'm a pretty humble guy although i'm no spiritual giant. Sure is gonna be a long off season but i'll be here for it.
Missouri went 23-11 the next season, including 1-1 in the NCAA Tournament with a victory over Clemson and loss to West Virginia, with sophomore guard Kim English improving his scoring average from 6.5 to 14.6 points, sophomore guard Marcus Denmon improving from 6.0 to 10.4, sophomore forward Laurence Bowers from 3.7 to 10.2, junior forward Justin Stafford from 3.4 to 8.6 and with freshman guard Michael Dixon averaging 8.1 points.
"We were right back in the NCAA Tournament the next year because we were a team," Anderson said. "When someone leaves, it gives another guy opportunities.
"You're going to look at this team next year and say, 'Man, I didn't know this guy could do that."
Here was his recruiting class for that year
https://rivals.yahoo.com/missouri/basketball/recruiting/commitments/2009
He did this in the Big 12, which is arguably tougher than the weak ole SEC. Hopefully we get at least one more recruit in this class and you can speculate all that you want but the man has a track record that can't be ignored or denied. Sure there are questions for next year. Consider me in the nervous crowd as well but let's let it play out before we write next season off. I really don't like being the constant defender but i'm going to continue to do me even if that means losing any board cred. Someone accuse me of thinking i was a Razors Edge Celebrity the other day and it made me laugh. I don't feel that way at all. Actually, in real life i'm a pretty humble guy although i'm no spiritual giant. Sure is gonna be a long off season but i'll be here for it.
