What happens when you get a save and a complete game victory in the same series? If you're Kyle Gibson, you win Big 12 Pitcher of the Week.
New Baseball America rankings are out, and Mizzou has maintained its #15 spot for, I believe, three straight weeks now. Weekend opponent Nebraska is #5 after taking 2 of 3 from now-#9 Texas A&M. They're within 1.5 games of ATM in the Big 12 standings, so you know they'll be swinging hard and aiming for the sweep this weekend. Oklahoma State holds steady at #10, meaning the Big 12, ACC, and Pac 10 have 10 of the top 15 teams.
Plenty of recruiting stories to start your week--4-star Texas WR Uzoma Nwachukwu is excited about getting a Mizzou offer (Thrust Nwachukwu Upward! And no, I did not come up with that...that would be The Beef's doing), while new film of 3-star Georgia ATH Joe Stewart emerges, 3-star Texas QB Jacob Karam narrows his options, and DeSmet DB E.J. Clark sets his camping schedule.
PowerMizzou resumes its post-spring looks at upcoming Mizzou opponents by taking on Baylor.
What marks progress for this team? Are they at the point yet where they are a legitimate threat in the Big 12 and what has to happen for this to be a successful season?
JH: I've told people all spring I don't know how many games this team will win, but they will be interesting to watch. Is that what I would consider progress? No. This team has to be a legitimate threat in the Big 12 and by that I mean someone teams don't just think they can roll over without much thought. Guy Morriss was able to get Baylor close but in 2007 there was a backslide, and 2008 Coach Briles seems to be looking for more from this team.
Eight Big 12 players made the 88-man Bronco Nagurski Trophy Watch List, including William Moore and Sean Weatherspoon...and Mizzou-killer Auston English.
On the softball beat, Dave Matter catches up with Mizzou coach Ehren Earleywine.
"[The Iowa City Regional is] a deep regional but one that’s not really top heavy," Earleywine said. "I think it’s winnable if we play well. ... It’s a little bit of a daunting task knowing there’s no gimme wins in this regional, but it’s fun to finally play some teams you haven’t seen all year. It’s refreshing."
Christian Cantwell is still at it--he pulled off the world's longest shot of 2008 this weekend at the California Relays.
Finally, I guess I should link to this SMQ Georgia write-up, as they represent, uhh, some of our stiffer competition in the, ahem, national title race (it still doesn't feel right saying stuff like that).