Tigers' new guys pitch in

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- First-year players are making a big contribution for Missouri this season, part of the reason the Tigers are off to a 6-1 start.

Returning players still lead the way. DeMarre Carroll is averaging 18.6 points per game, Leo Lyons 17.9 and Matt Lawrence 9.3. But the newcomers are making a difference, too.

Coach Mike Anderson has seven new players in his third season at Missouri, including five freshmen -- guards Miguel Paul, Marcus Denmon and Kim English and forwards Steve Moore and Laurence Bowers.

Denmon and Paul are usually the first two players off the bench. Denmon, English and Paul all are averaging around 6 points per game.

Anderson likes what he's seen, even on nights when the numbers don't exactly jump off the page.

In Missouri's 95-41 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Tuesday, Paul was just 1 for 4 from the field, but had five assists, which impressed the coach.

"He has a little flair about him, and sometimes I have to remind him that it's better to be clever than flashy sometimes, but I like the excitement in him," Anderson said. "I thought he did a great job out there."

Anderson's first mass substitution in the first half featured Denmon, English and Paul all on the floor at the same time. The three first-year players each scored at least one basket and helped force four turnovers that led to 14 consecutive Missouri points. English finished with 13 points, Denmon 11.

"We joke about what we are going to do once we get into the game," Paul said. "We just have to make something positive happen whether it's scoring a bucket or drawing a charge."

Another first-year player, transfer Keith Ramsey, is averaging 11 minutes per game. He scored six points and had five rebounds against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Anderson also is high on a lesser-known freshman, Laurence Bowers.

"He is a tremendous instinctive player and does a lot of things," Anderson said. "He blocks shots, he rebounds and is a great passer. He is just sitting there waiting his time."

Anderson said he is seeing gradual improvement in his young team, which hosts California on Sunday. The players see it, too.

"Our friendship off the court is translating to unselfish play on the court," English said.