Mizzou Links, 3-4-11

Mizzou Basketball Links

• Kansas
  MUtigers.com: Mizzou Basketball Hosts Kansas Saturday
  KC Star: Home court to be tested
• Are You Kidding Me?
  KC Star: MU's Anderson sidesteps Arkansas speculation
  The Trib (Steve Walentik): Anderson sidesteps question about Arkansas

  Anderson was asked about the speculation -- specifically if he could say definitively that he would remain at Missouri -- sidestepped but he didn't provide a direct answer and instead turned his response to a discussion of Saturday's game against Kansas.

  "I'm here," he said. "We're talking about Kansas. We're getting ready for Kansas. That's what we're getting ready for. That's what I want to talk about. We've got a big game coming up, so that's ... My kids are excited. It should be a great atmosphere. We've got CBS, a national audience coming in, so again, it's an early game, so you guys get there early now. And it's going to be different from the standpoint of now you're talking about having pregames probably at 7-7:30 in the morning. But I think our guys are looking forward to it, looking forward to the opportunity. And that's what it is, an opportunity."

  It's impossible to know how to read Anderson's non-answer. I'm certain that the Kansas game is at the forefront of his mind these days, and I have no way of knowing if he's given any consideration at all to going back to Arkansas if the opportunity were to arise.

  Are you kidding me?  Somebody asked him about Arkansas -- a job that, last I checked, isn't actually open right now -- a day and a half before the Kansas game?  And they actually expected anything but a subject change?  I have no idea whether he would take an Arkansas offer seriously at all (I do have some advice for him, however: be very careful here.  Fair or not -- and I think it would actually be somewhat fair -- interviewing with another school for a third consecutive year will result in you losing a portion of the Mizzou fanbase. You should very much realize that in advance.), but asking him about it right now is completely ridiculous and fishing for a controversial "non-denial denial."  Congrats to whoever asked him this question -- you got your quote and your headline.
  
• Mailbags
  PowerMizzou: Tiger Mailbag
  The Trib (Steve Walentik): Answering the mail...
• Post-Dispatch: MU sets sights on making the cut (Um ... they've made the cut)

Big 12 Basketball Links

• Iowa State
  The Dagger: Iowa State continues to up the ante by adding Korie Lucious
• Kansas
  KC Star (Upon Further Review): KU's schedule may spell disaster

Mizzou Football Links

• The Trib (Dave Matter): Position review/preview: Secondary
• Gabbert
  Post-Dispatch: NFL Network to feature Gabbert on Monday
  SB Nation KC: Could Donovan McNabb Affect Blaine Gabbert's 2011 NFL Draft Status?
  The Trib (Dave Matter): Pinkel talks spring & notes from pro day

  Here's an interesting twist to Gabbert's situation: If there is indeed an NFL work stoppage and it lasts through the next MU pro day, Gabbert will be prohibited from using any current NFL players or prospective NFL free agents as his receivers. Current college players are not allowed to participate in pro days either, meaning Gabbert's only option for throwing partners would be fellow draft-eligible players. (Former MU receivers not currently under contract in the NFL, like Tommy Saunders, Brad Ekwerekwu or Jared Perry, would be defined as free agents.) So, here's the problem: MU doesn't have draft-eligible players who were receivers by trade — unless you count walk-on receiver-turned-holder Forrest Shock or dismissed tailback Derrick Washington. (I asked Gabbert, via text message, whom he plans to throw to but haven't heard back.) I suppose Gabbert could enlist a receiver prospect from another school, maybe Georgia's A.J. Green, who's represented by the same agency. But would a workout on Gabbert's home turf put Green's stock at risk? Remember, this is Gabbert's only formal throwing session for NFL clubs, outside of private workouts. Sure hands and chemistry will be crucial in picking a target. My guess is Gabbert's agents, Ben Dogra and Tom Condon, will have a good plan in place.

Other Mizzou Links

• Mizzou Softball
  MUtigers.com: Softball Heads to St. Louis for Tourney
  The Trib: Missouri softball in quiet pursuit of perfection
• Mizzou Volleyball
  MUtigers.com: Three Tigers Signees Tabbed Fab 50
• Mizzou Women's Basketball
  We Are Mizzou: Basketball Senior Spotlight

Other

• Dirty Tackle: Argentine ref issues 36 red cards in one match