Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 19, 2008 13:07:40 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/story/451332.html
Hannah seeks a shared limelight at Mizzou
By MIKE DeARMOND
The Kansas City Star
COLUMBIA | A year ago, Stefhon Hannah took Missouri by storm. If there was a crucial shot to be taken, he took it.
This was Hannah’s team, win or lose. That’s how Hannah, a junior-college transfer guard, became a unanimous choice as Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Year.
This season — Hannah’s last as a Tiger — has been as different for Hannah as the volume between a shout and a whisper.
In fact, what you’re reading is the result of one of the few media interviews Hannah has agreed to all season, this one before the Tigers take on No. 3 and unbeaten Kansas at 7 tonight at Mizzou Arena. And that, more than anything, tells the story of how Hannah has tried to lead at Mizzou.
“It isn’t all about me,” Hannah said. “I want to focus on that. I know how we ended last season.”
Missouri finished 18-12 and out of the NCAA Tournament and even the NIT. So he decided an new approach was necessary.
“Me taking over, it didn’t end like I wanted,” Hannah said. “So this year, I decided I would have a different role with the team.”
He would step out of the spotlight and force teammates like Leo Lyons and DeMarre Carroll and Jason Horton into it. He would fit in rather than take over. And that included those postgame media interviews Hannah refused to do.
“I could easily go back to trying to take over by myself,” Hannah said. “But that isn’t right. That isn’t what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to have success with my team. I want everybody to be a part of it instead of one person.”
The statistics really aren’t much different. Hannah averaged 15.4 points and 4.6 assists last season. So far this season Hannah is averaging 14.1 points and 5.4 assists for the Tigers, who are 11-6 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12.
Hannah insists the attitude is night and day, perhaps with an assist from MU coach Mike Anderson.
Anderson suspended Hannah, without specific explanation, in MU’s first exhibition game. Against Coppin State on Dec. 27, Anderson kept Hannah and Carroll out of the starting lineup for the only time this season.
Anderson’s reasons weren’t a topic for public consumption.
“It was serious,” said Hannah. “Coach, he used me as an example. I respect him for it. But that’s in the past now.”
Hannah’s new attitude, however, hasn’t led to more success on the court. Missouri’s six losses have all featured an inability to finish close games.
Fellow guard Keon Lawrence lost the ball on a drive and never got off a potential winning shot in a 59-58 loss to Illinois. Hannah had his turn Wednesday at Iowa State, simply losing the ball out of bounds with Missouri down by five in the final minute.
The ironic thing is that Hannah scored eight of his 16 points in that final minute of a 72-67 loss to the Cyclones. Without him taking over down the stretch, Missouri wouldn’t have been close.
“We need to learn, as a team, how to pick each other up, to listen a little more to each other,” Hannah said. “We’re a good team. But in order for us to be one of the top teams, no matter what happens we need to have each other’s back.
“Great teams come together when adversity hits. That’s what this is all about. It’s about our team, not just about me.”
Hannah seeks a shared limelight at Mizzou
By MIKE DeARMOND
The Kansas City Star
COLUMBIA | A year ago, Stefhon Hannah took Missouri by storm. If there was a crucial shot to be taken, he took it.
This was Hannah’s team, win or lose. That’s how Hannah, a junior-college transfer guard, became a unanimous choice as Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Year.
This season — Hannah’s last as a Tiger — has been as different for Hannah as the volume between a shout and a whisper.
In fact, what you’re reading is the result of one of the few media interviews Hannah has agreed to all season, this one before the Tigers take on No. 3 and unbeaten Kansas at 7 tonight at Mizzou Arena. And that, more than anything, tells the story of how Hannah has tried to lead at Mizzou.
“It isn’t all about me,” Hannah said. “I want to focus on that. I know how we ended last season.”
Missouri finished 18-12 and out of the NCAA Tournament and even the NIT. So he decided an new approach was necessary.
“Me taking over, it didn’t end like I wanted,” Hannah said. “So this year, I decided I would have a different role with the team.”
He would step out of the spotlight and force teammates like Leo Lyons and DeMarre Carroll and Jason Horton into it. He would fit in rather than take over. And that included those postgame media interviews Hannah refused to do.
“I could easily go back to trying to take over by myself,” Hannah said. “But that isn’t right. That isn’t what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to have success with my team. I want everybody to be a part of it instead of one person.”
The statistics really aren’t much different. Hannah averaged 15.4 points and 4.6 assists last season. So far this season Hannah is averaging 14.1 points and 5.4 assists for the Tigers, who are 11-6 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12.
Hannah insists the attitude is night and day, perhaps with an assist from MU coach Mike Anderson.
Anderson suspended Hannah, without specific explanation, in MU’s first exhibition game. Against Coppin State on Dec. 27, Anderson kept Hannah and Carroll out of the starting lineup for the only time this season.
Anderson’s reasons weren’t a topic for public consumption.
“It was serious,” said Hannah. “Coach, he used me as an example. I respect him for it. But that’s in the past now.”
Hannah’s new attitude, however, hasn’t led to more success on the court. Missouri’s six losses have all featured an inability to finish close games.
Fellow guard Keon Lawrence lost the ball on a drive and never got off a potential winning shot in a 59-58 loss to Illinois. Hannah had his turn Wednesday at Iowa State, simply losing the ball out of bounds with Missouri down by five in the final minute.
The ironic thing is that Hannah scored eight of his 16 points in that final minute of a 72-67 loss to the Cyclones. Without him taking over down the stretch, Missouri wouldn’t have been close.
“We need to learn, as a team, how to pick each other up, to listen a little more to each other,” Hannah said. “We’re a good team. But in order for us to be one of the top teams, no matter what happens we need to have each other’s back.
“Great teams come together when adversity hits. That’s what this is all about. It’s about our team, not just about me.”