(AP) -- Missouri coach Frank Haith kept encouraging Alex Oriakhi (or-ee-AH'-kee), telling them he had more to give. The senior transfer center has been playing like there's no tomorrow for a while now.
The 6-9, 255-pound Oriakhi played on the 2011 Connecticut national championship team and transferred after the Huskies went on NCAA probation, joining former AAU teammate Phil Pressey.
He's made his lone season count for the Tigers, throwing his weight around on the court and quickly becoming a leader off it.
Oriakhi is averaging close to a double-double and shooting a career best 63 percent for Missouri (23-10), which faces Colorado State (25-8) in the NCAA tournament on Thursday night in Lexington, Ky.
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