Stone, Underwood: "Warm Up"

John Underwood and Tyler Stone - a couple of freshman forwards who have played a collective seven minutes since the start of Big 12 Conference play - may actually have to wear uniforms under those Missouri warmups when the Tigers take on Clemson on Friday.

MU Coach Mike Anderson - and starting forwards Keith Ramsey and Laurence Bowers - either hinted or just came out and predicted that the 6-9 Underwood and 6-7 Stone would see a few minutes against Clemson.

“John Underwood,” Anderson said, “you’ll see him out there maybe one or two minutes at a time, hopefully to give (relief to) guys like Keith Ramsey and Laurence Bowers.”

Not that Ramsey admitted it would be necessary.

“You have to suck it up,” said Ramsey, who since a torn ACL sidelined forward Justin Safford four games ago has played 37, 41, 36 and 25 minutes the last four games. “You can’t be worried about your body, really; as coach always tells us.

“I believe Coach sees Steve (Moore) a little more and some of the freshman.

“Even two or three minutes there, that will help us a lot.”

Stone’s only game action since the start of Big 12 play has been one minute at Nebraska and two minutes at home against Colorado.

Underwood’s only time on the court in that same span has been one minute at Nebraska and three minutes at home against Colorado.

No wonder there is some skepticism that Anderson will play those two today.

But Bowers - who has played 23, 31, 29 and 30 minutes his last four games - said Anderson told him it could happen.

That, and the additional media times out that come with the NCAA Tournament, could help Bowers and Ramsey.

“Those,” Bowers said, “are life savers.”