 "Photo: Paul Chouy; The Daily Texan")
 "Photo: Jack Dempsey; The Associated Press")
For the No. 16 Longhorns, today’s contest at Missouri is a do-or-die situation with NCAA tournament implications on the line. But for one Texas player, the trip to Columbia, Mo., means much more.
Freshman guard Yvonne Anderson, who graduated from high school in Columbia, will be making the trek back home for the first time this semester. Anderson said it is a special situation because she usually does not get to spend much time with her family, given the hectic schedule of a Division I student athlete.
“[My family] has made it to a couple of games, but most of the time it’s impossible because of the far distance,” Anderson said. “It’s going to be nice.”
The event is even more unique because Anderson’s father, Mike Anderson, is the head coach of the No.11 men’s basketball team at Missouri. With both Andersons constantly busied by their respective roles in collegiate athletics, Yvonne said their chances to spend time together are few and far between.
“I thought they might have a game that night, but they’re actually playing at home that Wednesday, so I’m excited that I’ll get to see [my dad],” Anderson said.
Anderson and Texas head coach Gail Goestenkors have made special plans for Tuesday. After the team arrives in Columbia they will all make a trip to Anderson’s home where they can, “just hang out, maybe eat some snacks,” according to Anderson.
She’ll also have the chance to see some of her friends, including members of Missouri’s men’s basketball team.
Anderson said she has a special place in her heart for Missouri’s men’s team.
“I know pretty much everyone on the team,” Anderson said. “They’re like brothers to me.”
But it is a different story for their female counterparts. Anderson admitted that some Missouri fans expected her to play basketball there but said most understood her decision to play for Texas based on the level of the program.
The Lady Tigers are tied for last place in the Big 12 with a conference record of 3-9 (12-13 overall). Two of their last three defeats came against ranked opponents. The Tigers have some history to overcome: The last time they beat Texas was in Columbia on Jan. 6, 2001 with a score of 68-52.
Texas (19-7, 7-5 Big 12) dropped to fifth in the league after Saturday’s loss to No.12 Texas A&M. The Longhorns have lost two of their last three, including an at-home upset to unranked Oklahoma State Wednesday.
“It’s not a shock, because of how we played when we started the game,” senior forward Earnesia Williams said after the OSU loss. “We weren’t aggressive on defense and we didn’t execute on offense. When you don’t do that, you lose games.”
Tonight’s game at Missouri will mark the last unranked opponent for the Longhorns in Big 12 play. Their final three opponents will be No. 6 Baylor, No.20 Kansas State and then the current Big 12 leader, No. 2 Oklahoma.
“You’ve got to be mentally and physically tough,” Goestenkors said of the conference’s competitiveness. “It’s survival of the fittest. You don’t have time to feel sorry for yourself or lick your wounds because you’ve got another great opponent right around the corner. You’ve got to learn from your mistakes and quickly move on and get better.”
TODAY: No. 16 Texas (19-7, 7-5) at Missouri (12-13, 3-9)
WHERE: Mizzou Arena (Columbia, Mo.)
WHEN: 6:30 p.m.
ON AIR: AM 1300 The Zone
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