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BUFFALO, NY -- By Gregg Palermo

Seeded tenth, the Missouri Tigers held a public workout Thursday afternoon before Friday’s matchup with seventh seeded Clemson at HSBC Arena.

The crowd, largely made up of Buffalo area public school students, saw more scrimmage-like activity from the Tigers, compared to the other teams competing in the Buffalo Regional.

Guard Kim English was noticeably limping for a brief period during the workout, but was able to shake it off. Forward Laurence Bowers also participated in the workout, despite his heavily taped and torn left wrist ligaments. Tiger fans should be prepared to see a few unfamiliar faces on the floor Friday.

“We are trying to get everyone else ready,” forward Keith Ramsey said. “Especially Mike Dixon, and even Tyler Stone and Jon Underwood because they’re so young and they have to be able to help us on the floor.”

Dixon worked his way into being a key cog as a freshman into the guard rotation, but freshmen forwards Stone and Underwood have only played in 11 and 13 games, respectively, on the season for a combined total of 95 minutes.

These freshmen will be called on help stop Clemson’s up-tempo style, similar to MU’s, and Trevor Booker, a 6-7 forward, described by Missouri players and coaches as “an athletic freak” and “a warrior.”

“We press each other every day,” Clemson Head Coach Oliver Purnell said. “When you’re being pressed, it can generate offense for you. So we’ve actually liked teams pressing us at a certain point.” 

The MU Tigers return to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row, but also make their second consecutive stop in Buffalo specifically.

Prior to last season, MU Head Coach Mike Anderson took his squad through the area en route to a series of exhibition games against Canadian opponents. It gave the coach a chance to evaluate his talent and for teammates to see some sights and bond.

“They trusted one another and cared for one another, and hopefully it was something that they build that will continue to thrive in our program,” Anderson said. “I think that’s why we’re here this year.

The Buffalo assignment marks the closest Staten Island New York native, Zaire Taylor, has been able to play in front of family and friends. Taylor sounded ready to continue his tour to the Regional Semifinals.

“God willing, Syracuse is a little closer,” Taylor said.