The Reflector

Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: News

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Less than 12 hours after breaking away from Mississippi State, former sophomore guard Ben Hansbrough has expressed interest in becoming a Mizzou Tiger, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"It went good and [head coach Mike] Anderson seemed like a good guy," Hansbrough told the Post-Dispatch. "I said, 'Coach, that's the school I was raised with and I have a lot of interest in playing for Missouri.'"

Anderson told Hansbrough he had a lot of interest in the former Poplar Bluff High guard playing for Missouri, Hansbrough said.

"...[We'll] just keep in touch, get to know each other a little bit more and see what happens," Hansbrough said.

Gene Hansbrough, Ben's father, said his son's decision depends on the opportunities presented both with Missouri and other potential choices.

"Ben loves Missouri," Gene Hansbrough said. "I think he wants to play in a competitive program and be able to excel as a team."

Mississippi State announced Monday in a brief news release that the 6-foot-3 sophomore would be leaving.

In an interview with the Clarion-Ledger Tuesday, Hansbrough said the lack of a dedicated practice facility influenced his decision.

"That has a lot to do with it right there, just that simple stuff right there," he said Tuesday. "As simple as that may sound, that's a huge thing."

Hansbrough told the Post-Dispatch he's also looking at Purdue, Butler and Notre Dame, as well as Southeastern Conference schools Arkansas and Florida. Mississippi State could block him from playing for another team within the same conference, however.

Though Hansbrough will miss next season because of NCAA transfer rules, he still has two years of eligibility left because he still hasn't used his redshirt season.

Missouri does not have an open scholarship slot for Hansbrough unless Mizzou forward Leo Lyons decides to test the draft waters.

"I'd have to get up there, see what it's like, and see if [coming without a scholarship] is a sacrifice I'm willing to make," Hansbrough said.

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