Post by MizzouTiger on Feb 23, 2008 16:13:58 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/167/story/501592.html
Lyons ready to shoulder more of load for Missouri
By MIKE DeARMOND
The Kansas City Star
COLUMBIA | Finally, what Missouri coach Mike Anderson had been preaching came to pass. No matter how poorly Matt Lawrence was shooting, the Tigers simply had to give him more shots.
And so, a week ago, the Tigers ran their offense through that intention. Setting screen after screen, the Tigers manufactured shot after shot for Lawrence, their junior wing guard. Lawrence took 14, hit seven, six from three-point range. He scored 20 points.
And Missouri lost at Kansas State 100-63.
Perhaps, it was suggested to Leo Lyons, Anderson might try feeding the most accurate of Tiger shooters when Mizzou plays host to Colorado at 7:05 tonight — Leo Lyons.
Lyons’ eyes seemed to brighten. He smiled. He let escape a nervous chuckle, knowing perhaps he should choose his words carefully.
“I’ve been thinking the same thing,” Lyons said. “But it’s not up to me. It’s up to the coach ultimately. I just try to go out there and play, do whatever I can to stay on the court. If that means screening for him, so be it.”
Was Lyons — one of five players who was suspended by Anderson for breaking curfew at the Athena Night Club in January — playing it politically correct enough?
Well, he didn’t comment on the facts and figures that would seem to bolster a plan to feed the Lyons. But those speak for themselves.
Lyons, a 6-foot-9 junior forward out of Kansas City, Kan., has hit 57 percent of his shots in Big 12 Conference play, 60.9 percent of his shots for the season.
He’s probably Missouri’s most accurate midrange jump shooter. And he doesn’t launch many shots that he shouldn’t; he’s taken only 10 three-point shots this season (making just one).
Nonetheless, Lyons has spent more time in the Andersonville detention camp than most of his teammates since conference play began. He’s averaging 12.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in just 18.5 minutes a game.
Now compare that to Lawrence’s league numbers: 7.5 points, 3.3 rebounds in 29.2 minutes per game while hitting only 30.7 percent of his shots overall and 29.7 from three-point range.
The two teammates play difference positions. As a team, MU has struggled for three-point consistency, and that has allowed foes to pack in the paint and dominate that area.
“We’ve got to get (Matt) going,” Anderson has said time and again. “When he makes shots, it seems like the other guys make shots.
“But other guys have got to step up to the plate and do some other things.”
Perhaps that is what Lyons is trying to do, risking the contention his words are mere complaining.
“We’re look for that person to spark us and lead us,” Lyons said. “I feel like I can do that.
“I’ve never been a selfish person. But I can fill up every stat. People say I’m not great at one thing, but I’m just good at a lot of stuff.
“That’s what makes me, me. It’s been pretty frustrating. I know I can do so much more.”
Lyons doesn’t deny his game has been as constant as a candle in the wind.
At Iowa State he was so ineffective and so foul prone that he played only 15 minutes, scored only four points. The last time against Colorado, Lyons scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 22 minutes.
Lyons admits he sometimes strays from the game plan.
“When it gets close, just the thought of losing,” Lyons said, “it just does something in my head. I forget the game plan and just go out there and play.”
Offense, anyway.
“Our problem is about defense,” Anderson said.
“We know Leo is capable of scoring. And hopefully he is a guy who is going to give us that. But defensively, rebounding, taking charges, that’s our problem.”
Lyons ready to shoulder more of load for Missouri
By MIKE DeARMOND
The Kansas City Star
COLUMBIA | Finally, what Missouri coach Mike Anderson had been preaching came to pass. No matter how poorly Matt Lawrence was shooting, the Tigers simply had to give him more shots.
And so, a week ago, the Tigers ran their offense through that intention. Setting screen after screen, the Tigers manufactured shot after shot for Lawrence, their junior wing guard. Lawrence took 14, hit seven, six from three-point range. He scored 20 points.
And Missouri lost at Kansas State 100-63.
Perhaps, it was suggested to Leo Lyons, Anderson might try feeding the most accurate of Tiger shooters when Mizzou plays host to Colorado at 7:05 tonight — Leo Lyons.
Lyons’ eyes seemed to brighten. He smiled. He let escape a nervous chuckle, knowing perhaps he should choose his words carefully.
“I’ve been thinking the same thing,” Lyons said. “But it’s not up to me. It’s up to the coach ultimately. I just try to go out there and play, do whatever I can to stay on the court. If that means screening for him, so be it.”
Was Lyons — one of five players who was suspended by Anderson for breaking curfew at the Athena Night Club in January — playing it politically correct enough?
Well, he didn’t comment on the facts and figures that would seem to bolster a plan to feed the Lyons. But those speak for themselves.
Lyons, a 6-foot-9 junior forward out of Kansas City, Kan., has hit 57 percent of his shots in Big 12 Conference play, 60.9 percent of his shots for the season.
He’s probably Missouri’s most accurate midrange jump shooter. And he doesn’t launch many shots that he shouldn’t; he’s taken only 10 three-point shots this season (making just one).
Nonetheless, Lyons has spent more time in the Andersonville detention camp than most of his teammates since conference play began. He’s averaging 12.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in just 18.5 minutes a game.
Now compare that to Lawrence’s league numbers: 7.5 points, 3.3 rebounds in 29.2 minutes per game while hitting only 30.7 percent of his shots overall and 29.7 from three-point range.
The two teammates play difference positions. As a team, MU has struggled for three-point consistency, and that has allowed foes to pack in the paint and dominate that area.
“We’ve got to get (Matt) going,” Anderson has said time and again. “When he makes shots, it seems like the other guys make shots.
“But other guys have got to step up to the plate and do some other things.”
Perhaps that is what Lyons is trying to do, risking the contention his words are mere complaining.
“We’re look for that person to spark us and lead us,” Lyons said. “I feel like I can do that.
“I’ve never been a selfish person. But I can fill up every stat. People say I’m not great at one thing, but I’m just good at a lot of stuff.
“That’s what makes me, me. It’s been pretty frustrating. I know I can do so much more.”
Lyons doesn’t deny his game has been as constant as a candle in the wind.
At Iowa State he was so ineffective and so foul prone that he played only 15 minutes, scored only four points. The last time against Colorado, Lyons scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 22 minutes.
Lyons admits he sometimes strays from the game plan.
“When it gets close, just the thought of losing,” Lyons said, “it just does something in my head. I forget the game plan and just go out there and play.”
Offense, anyway.
“Our problem is about defense,” Anderson said.
“We know Leo is capable of scoring. And hopefully he is a guy who is going to give us that. But defensively, rebounding, taking charges, that’s our problem.”