Taming the Tigers, Gardner

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Since his 40-point performance against Kansas last month, Missouri's Thomas Gardner is learning the frustration of being the guy everybody wants to stop.

The open looks have been hard to come by since Gardner starred in Missouri's overtime upset of the Jayhawks on Jan. 16, and the Tigers have struggled along with him.

Missouri (10-9, 3-5 Big 12) has lost four straight since the Kansas game, all blowouts.

Still the Big 12's leading scorer with a 20.9-point average, Gardner has struggled under the increased scrutiny. He missed 10 of his first 11 shots and finished 5-for-16, scoring 15 points in Wednesday's 66-53 home loss to No. 7 Texas.

"In a big game you always want to perform well, and I think I was just a little overanxious in the first half," Gardner said. "I think that was evident in some of my shots going long or short, just kind of wanting to get that first shot so bad to go in."

Missouri coach Quin Snyder said Gardner benefited early in the season from scouting reports that failed to recognize his talent.

"But now every time he's got the ball, they're tight on him," Snyder said. "It's going to help him become a better player, and it's going to give other players an opportunity."

Turnovers also have plagued Gardner. He had five against Texas and six in losses at Kansas State and Nebraska.

"This is a growth process for him," Snyder said. "We need to be as patient as we can. The turnovers are him trying to make really tough plays. They did a good job on him, but he also knows he needs to be better."

Despite the recent struggles, Gardner has more than doubled his 10.4-point average from his sophomore season.

Last weekend, he was named one of 30 midseason candidates for the Wooden Award.

Snyder knows that it will take more than Gardner to help the Tigers rebound.

"When we've been at our best, we've got other guys," Gardner said. "We need some more guys to keep grinding. Thomas is learning to handle that type of defense."