Mizzou suspends Dixon

The Missouri Tigers were dealt a serious blow even before playing tonight's contest against Oral Roberts at Mizzou Arena.

Michael Dixon, the starting point guard for the Tigers, has been suspended indefinitely for the violation of a team rule.

"We have high standards for how we expect our young men to carry themselves," Missouri coach Mike Anderson said in a statement released by the university. "Michael didn't meet those standards, therefore he is suspended indefinitely."

Dixon has started all nine game for the Tigers (8-1, ranked 13th) and averaged 10.7 points per game and a team-high 4.3 assists.

Phil Pressey should get the starting nod in place of Dixon. Pressey, a 5-10 freshman, is the highest-ranked recruit for Anderson at Missouri.

The game between the Tigers (8-1, ranked No. 13) and the Golden Eagles (4-5) is slated for a 7 p.m. start (KOMU-TV).

Pressey is ranked among Big 12 leaders in both assists per game (3.0) and assist/turnover ratio (1.6). Pressey has started twice this season, those coming against La Salle and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Oral Roberts is coming off a 73-60 defeat Dec. 11 at Oklahoma.

Dominique Morrison leads the Golden Eagles with 17.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest. Warren Niles is second on the club with 14.9 points and leads the team with 20 3-pointers.

Also in double figures for Oral Roberts are Steven Roundtree (12.0) and Damen Bell-Holter (10.4).

Missouri is led in scoring by Marcus Denmon, who's averaging 16.4 points per game. Ricardo Rattliffe is second with 11. 6 points per game, while Kim English is third with 11.0.

The Tigers return to action at 7 p.m. Saturday when they host Central Arkansas.