LITTLE ROCK — Missouri Coach and former Arkansas assistant Mike Anderson admits that it’s going to be a weird feeling seeing his former player Corliss Williamson on the opposing sideline tonight at Mizzou Arena.
The two men are linked forever because of their success at Arkansas, Williamson brings his Central Arkansas team into Columbia, Mo., looking for a signature victory for the fledging Division I program - at the expense of one of his mentors.
Tipoff is 7p.m. The game will be televised on KATV Channel 7.
“It’s a great opportunity for our program, to see where we’re trying to get to,” said Williamson, who sought the game after being named UCA’s coach last April. “It’s a great opportunity to see our finished product. The fan base, their style, the fear they put into people. It’s a wonderful tool as a coach.”
Anderson, 51, was the top assistant under Nolan Richardson in 1985-2002 at Arkansas and Williamson played for the Razorbacks in 1992-1995. Williamson played in two Final Fours at Arkansas, beating Duke to win the national championship in 1994 before losing to UCLA in 1995.The Razorbacks were 85-19 (.817) during Williamson’s three years at Arkansas.
Williamson, 37, said he appreciated Anderson’s ability to relate to the players.
“Coach was always there for us,” said Williamson,a two-time All-American at Arkansas. “He understood what Coach Richardson wanted to do.”
Both Anderson and Williamson played for Richardson, Anderson at Tulsa and Williamson with Arkansas. Richardson will be in attendance at Mizzou Arena, watching the two men match wits.
“He’s proud to have coached two players that went on to coach at the Division I level,” said Anderson, referring to Richardson. “Corliss was a great player for us at Arkansas. We won a national championship. He’s a great individual.”
Richardson referred to his style as 40 minutes of hell. At Missouri, Anderson’s style is called the 40 fastest minutes in basketball. Led by junior guard Marcus Denmon (16.4 points per game), Missouri averages 82.9 points per game. Four of Missouri’s starters average at least 10 points per game.
Missouri (9-1) has won 53 consecutive nonconference home games, with all but seven coming under Anderson, who is 97-47 in five seasons in Columbia. And with the Bears (3-7) in rebuilding mode in Williamson’s first year, Richardson warns his former player what UCA might be in for tonight.
“I’ve got to tell Corliss, get ready, man, because the blizzard is going to be out there,” Richardson said. “If Mike was playing his son, he’s going to get after you, and Corliss is the same way. The tough part of Corliss’ job is the fact they’ve got to make money, so you have to play all those guarantee games. It’s a difficult job when you’re doing that.”
UCA will receive $75,000 for making the trip to Missouri.
Anderson said Friday morning that he had not had a chance to look at UCA on film. The Tigers beat Oral Roberts 81-62 Thursday night while the Bears lost 70-60 to Grambling State last Saturday.
“From what I’ve heard, he’s got his kids playing hard,” Anderson said. “One of our assistants saw him coach at Arkansas Baptist and he mentioned how they got after people. They pushed the basketball. They mirrored the things Corliss did.”
Anderson was named Arkansas’ interim coach after Richardson’s dismissal in 2002. He was the head coach at Alabama-Birmingham in 2002-2006 and led the Blazers to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments (2004-2006), including the Sweet 16 in 2004.
Williamson, who played 12 seasons in the NBA and won a championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, coached at Arkansas Baptist last year before accepting the UCA job in March.
“I always feel that every kid who played for Coach Richardson would be a good coach,” Anderson said. “ Corliss was fundamentally sound out of high school. He has a great basketball IQ. It doesn’t surprise me [that he’s a coach]. They get a chance to learn everything, offensively and defensively.”
It remains to be seen whether Williamson will be successful at the Division I level, but Anderson gave his former player some advice going into his first season at UCA.
“He’s constantly told me that I’ve got to get out and find players,” Williamson said. “Change the culture. Implement the style we play.”
Anderson knows that he and Williamson have to make their own mark, despite their ties to Richardson.
“Be who you are. Do your own thing,” Anderson said. “I can’t be Coach Richardson. I have to be Mike Anderson. Corliss has to be Corliss Williamson.”
Sports, Pages 21 on 12/18/2010