Change of pace

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Kalen Grimes thought he understood what new Missouri coach Mike Anderson's all-out style of basketball meant. He, along with the rest of his teammates, quickly discovered they still have plenty to digest.

The new era that replaces years of turmoil under Quin Snyder features a full-court, up-tempo game that produced three NCAA tournament bids in Anderson's last four seasons at Alabama-Birmingham. It's more than just running.

"When he came in here, I don't think anyone was ready," Grimes said. "We're actually still getting ready for it."

The improvement under Anderson, the first black head coach hired on a permanent basis in a major sport at Missouri, must come from an inexperienced squad. Only two of eight lettermen who return started last season, point guard Jason Horton and forward Marshall Brown. Seven players are beginning their first season at the school and there's only one senior, reserve guard Marcus Watkins.

The Tigers return only 38 percent of theirscoring offense from a team that was 12-16 overall and finished 11th in the Big 12 at 5-11. Snyder resigned under fire in February after learning he would not be retained, and guard ThomasGardner made himself eligible for the NBADraft a year early, although he was not picked.

The fast-paced, think-on-the-fly style Anderson learned while playing and working under former Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson bears little resemblance to Missouri's style under Snyder. Anderson expects it will be well into the season before players make a complete transition.

"We don't want to be there right now, anyway," he said. "It's a building process in terms of the conditioning."

The process includes learning how to play without a dominant inside presence. Grimes, a junior, and sophomore Leo Lyons, are both 6-foot-9 and are the tallest players. All but five of the 14 players are 6-foot-6 or shorter.

"Sometimes," Anderson said, "these guys are going to have to play a little bit bigger than they are."

That's no big change from the past several seasons at Missouri, however. The starting center the last two seasons was 6-foot-9 Kevin Young.

"We can use our speed as a plus and outsmart and outwit some of the teams while running them up and down the court," Grimes said. "Get them tired."

The schedule is conducive to early success, with the first nine games and 12 of the first 14 at Mizzou Arena.

Before Big 12 play begins in January, there's only one road game -- at Purdue -- along with the annual neutral-site game against Illinois. The Tigers appear to have one tough test at home during the preconference schedule against Arkansas, where Anderson spent 16 years as an assistant.

"Starting off, it might not be what we want," Anderson said. "But I think if you watch, I think it's going to be better and better."

Anderson, who has a five-year contract to turn around the program, still isn't sure who'll start in the opener and isn't worrying too much about it. He envisions a balanced attack with a deep bench, although Missouri will be without freshman guard Keon Lawrence for four to six weeks with a stress fracture in his left foot.

Junior forward Glen Dandridge broke a bone in his right foot Oct. 15.

Anderson's focus remains on getting the players who are available to embrace the new style.

"It's tough, it's hard work," Horton said. "You've got to bring energy every day. There ain't no time off. You stand out like a sore thumb."