Missouri basketball coach Kim Anderson picked up a ball off the rack during warmups for the team’s practice at the Hearnes Center on Monday. With a hop in his step, Anderson took the ball to the rim for a layup.

It was a scene familiar in the building 40 years ago.

The Hearnes Center opened in August 1972. Anderson came to MU one year later, playing center in the building for Missouri from 1973-77. He also sat on the sidelines in the arena during two separate stints as a Missouri assistant coach.

Anderson lost just seven games as a player in the Hearnes Center. During the 1974-75 season, the sophomore Anderson and his teammates, coached by Norm Stewart, went undefeated (12-0) at home. It was followed by junior and senior seasons where the Tigers lost one game each year at home.

Forty years later, Anderson is Mizzou’s head basketball coach. And it is fitting that his first game coaching the Tigers will take place on his old home court, when Missouri hosts Division II William Jewell College for an exhibition game Wednesday.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Anderson, who averaged 18.3 points per game his senior season, said. “I’m sure it will be pretty emotional, just walking in here today.”

Anderson said he didn’t know if the emotion will hit him during the exhibition. He said he would “probably be worried about winning the game.”

“I think it’s a fitting tribute to the building and everything else — just the opportunity to come in here and play and maybe share a little history with some of these guys,” Anderson said.

Sophomore guard Wes Clark said his coach explained to his players the significance and history of the building. He told them about his days at the Hearnes Center, playing under Stewart.

“We’re looking to cherish this day,” Clark said.

Stewart was the coach at Missouri from 1967-99, composing an overall coaching record of 731-375 in 38 seasons. The 2007 College Basketball Hall of Fame inductee recently spoke to the Tiger basketball team. Stewart talked to the players about working hard and taking advantage of their opportunities as basketball players at Mizzou.

“I think it was really good that he came by,” Anderson said. “As a first-year coach in a Division I school and (when) you look out there on the inline you see Norm Stewart, you make sure you’re on your toes and running a good practice.”

According to junior forward Ryan Rosburg, Anderson brings up his old coach frequently in practices and team meetings. Anderson tells his team about things Stewart would say and things he would make the players do, including running up the arena’s unforgiving steps.

“That was back in those old school playing days I’d hear about all the time from my parents and coaches,” Rosburg said.

Anderson said he would not be opposed to an annual game taking place at the Hearnes Center. But with nostalgia aside, he said it is time to also get back to reality, to finally begin the season.

“Whatever emotion I have, I have to put it away and start coaching basketball,” Anderson said.