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ST.L OUIS (AP) -- Missouri coach Mike Anderson consistently downplays the significance of his starting lineup. The numbers back him up. 

The Tigers (7-3) are averaging 82 points heading into Wednesday night's game against Illinois (8-3), and almost half the total is coming from the reserves. They're averaging nearly 37 points and have outscored the starters three times. 

Miguel Paul, Marcus Denmon and Justin Safford combined for 24 bench points in Saturday's 88-70 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.  Denmon and Safford also had nine rebounds each for Missouri. 

The starter-reserve distinction is blurred by the fact that eight players have started in the first 10 games. Only forward Keith Ramsey has started every game.

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