The conversation between third-year Missouri coach Kim Anderson and his effusive, affable sophomore point guard, Terrence Phillips, could have been contentious.
Anderson had decided to remove Phillips, who started the first 43 games of his Tigers career, from the starting lineup just as Southeastern Conference was getting underway.
Rather than take it as a blow to his ego, Phillips embraced a new role in hopes of helping unlock Mizzou’s full potential as a basketball team.
“He asked how I felt about the situation and I said, ‘Coach, you know what? Anything to help that first unit really kind of go,’ ” Phillips said.