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Kim Anderson outlines focus for Mizzou basketball program with letter

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Read the entire letter:

Dear Tiger Nation,

Spring is in the air, and it is such a busy time at the University of Missouri and for Mizzou Athletics. I hope you all have had the chance to see some of our spring sports in action, especially our nationally ranked baseball and softball squads. Coming off another SEC East title, Coach Pinkel's team will play the annual Black & Gold Spring Football Game on Saturday, April 18 at 4 p.m., and I expect to see plenty of Mizzou fans out at Faurot Field.

Springtime also means our Mizzou Men's Basketball program is hard at work with our offseason program. This particular offseason is an important one to me, as it comes after a season of basketball that I know fell below all of our expectations. Our coaching and support staff, student-athletes and I are committed to making improvements for next season.

Mizzou is a place that has been a big part of my life and always will be. It's my job to get our program to where it needs to be. I'd like to share with you our areas of focus as we move forward.

Academic achievement. We will continue our emphasis on strong academic achievement in order to educate and graduate our young men.

Staff efficiency. Our coaching and support staff will analyze our personal impact and capitalize on our strengths to best serve our program.

Athletic performance. The Tigers will intensely focus on individual skill and team development, including improvement in the areas of strength, conditioning and nutrition.

Team chemistry. We will prioritize the development of a higher level of chemistry and leadership through team bonding, activities off the court, throughout the university and community service.

Targeted recruiting focus. Our coaching staff will continue to strengthen our visibility in the Midwest and continue to expand our national footprint. We will target prospective student-athletes that reflect our Mizzou Basketball brand on and off the court.

Our staff and student-athletes are committed to these points of emphasis as we head into the summer and move towards the new school year.

I am extremely excited and honored to serve as the head men's basketball coach at the University of Missouri and look forward to a very productive offseason. Thank you for your continued support.

MIZ!