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Tiller out-of-sync for Missouri mens basketball team
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COLUMBIA The face of the Missouri mens basketball has started to sag. J.T. Tiller, the teams only four-year player and the one whose blue-collar play best represents Missouris style, hasnt been himself since the start of the Big 12 Conference season Jan. 9. In Missouris three conference games, Tiller has collected more of the bad statistics than the good ones, such as his 11 turnovers compared to five assists. MoreStory Related Articles Tiller hasnt had much luck during the stretch, particularly evident in a key play at the end of Missouris 66-61 loss at Oklahoma on Saturday,Valencia shirt, the Tigers first Big 12 defeat. With Missouri (14-4,Inter Milan shirt, 2-1 Big 12) down two points and 16 seconds left, Tiller stole the ball off Oklahomas inbounds pass while falling to the ground. He was whistled for traveling, a questionable call considering Tiller didnt look to have full possession of the ball as he fell. The ball went back to the Sooners, who iced the game with free throws. “I think hes pressing a little bit,” coach Mike Anderson said. “..In the next stretch I think youll see the real J.T., I really do. Sometimes your senior year, you want to do something so bad it doesnt turn out like you want to. Its not because of the effort with him.” Tiller has built his reputation off his defense he was last years Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year. But after Missouri lost its three leading scorers from last seasons Elite Eight team,Villareal shirt, it was clear Tiller would be counted on to contribute more on offense. So far this year, hes averaging 8.7 points per game, just 0.3 points more than last season. Tiller has been particularly cold during conference play,Kaizer Chiefs shirt, scoring a combined 17 points in three games on just 5-of-17 shooting. “I think I was putting a lot of pressure on myself,” Tiller said. “After talking to all the coaches and a lot of family members, they were just like, Go back to doing what you were doing. You didnt have to score. You didnt have to press on offense. Just play your game and play with your instincts. Thats what you do best.” When asked if he would like to be scoring more, Tillers response was firm. “No, not at all because we have scorers,” Tiller said. “Id rather be like last year, I didnt have to score, but I played an integral role in us winning. So I just want to do the small things, whatever I have to do to help us win.” Junior Justin Safford said recently Tiller has held back on his normally non-stop harassing defense. “I think maybe kind of conserving himself a little bit,” Safford said. Safford also mentioned that Tiller, a senior, has been thinking about life after college lately. “Actually J.T. and I were talking about it the other day, about the future and whats to come and kind of said, ‘Just live in the present,’” Safford said. “I think J.T. will be fine if he just lives in the now, takes it one day at a time.” Tiller popped up on the national radar during the NCAA Tournament last year, especially after his career-high 23-point performance in Missouris upset of No. 2 seed Memphis. Before this season, Tiller was named a finalist for several national awards. His success rightfully gives him hope that he can play basketball for a living, a thought hes been entertaining. “Just thinking about maybe basketball in the future, everybody talking about him and stuff,” Safford said. “..You know, basketball could obviously be a future thing for him. But I dont think he needs to think about that right now. Just take it one day at a time and hell be all right. “Hes our leader and everybody follows him. Hell be fine. Hes going to be OK.” |
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