Mizzou Links, 4-4-13

Mizzou Basketball Links

• Next Year's Roster
  PowerMizzou: Eye on the Future
• Cosby
  ZagsBlog: Aaron Cosby to Visit Illinois, Mizzou Next Week
• Haith/Miami
  ESPN.com: Miami writes to NCAA Division I committee on infractions, requests dismissal of infractions case
  Fox Sports MW: Is Emmert a hypocrite if Haith case stands?

Mizzou Football Links

I'm just not worried about the Mizzou secondary, and I cannot really explain why. A lot of people blamed the DBs for the Syracuse game in particular, but in re-watching all of the big Syracuse plays, I thought the biggest problem by far was the lack of D-line push.

• A Couple More Practice 6 Tidbits
  PowerMizzou: Secondary concerns

  This spring, John Gibson and David Johnson take turns at cornerback when Gaines slides to nickelback. While White, Simon and Ponder are experienced, Johnson and Gibson aren't. But both players are vying for more playing time, and Pinkel pointed out that sometimes, youth trumps experience.

  "Every situation plays itself out different," Pinkel said. "You can go in there with a young player who's never played before and he can have a great year. Certainly if you have experienced players and they can win the job and they're good enough to compete at this level, you can compete for a championship in the SEC. That works in your favor."

  For now, with the depth chart still in flux, Missouri's secondary is focused on correcting mistakes that led to a poor end to the 2012 season.

  "They made plays for us last year," Gaines said. "But now they have to make more plays if they're going to be starters, and they know that."

  PowerMizzou: Tiger Mailbag
  We Are Mizzou: Battle for the Black Jerseys
• QB No. 1
  The Trib: Franklin takes working vacation

  After studying Franklin's delivery, Whitfield didn't have to rebuild his throwing motion from scratch. But there were areas to polish.

  "We really just tweaked and modified some things," Whitfield said. "He's a natural thrower, and he's got a big arm. For us, it was a matter of him getting a chance to get it all coordinated and flowing together, off the ground, through his hips and through his arm."

  Whitfield said Franklin's regimen focused on footwork, upper body movement and transferring his weight during his delivery. One of the first things Franklin said he hoped to carry over to the practice fields was holding the ball with both hands up near his collarbone while outside the pocket. Too often, he said, he scrambles with only one hand on the ball. That throws off his passing accuracy on the run.

  "I'd like to say I got a little better," he said after yesterday's practice on Faurot Field. "Now it's just trying to make it natural and not having to think about it as much."

  Asked about Franklin working with Whitfield, Missouri Coach Gary Pinkel said he was aware of the coach's reputation.

  "That was fine with us," he said. "The guy is very well respected."

Mizzou Diamond Sports Links

So ... this makes it Mizzou 102, Opponent 6 in the last 10 games then?

• Goodness
  MUtigers.com: No. 7 Mizzou Sweeps Doubleheader at Missouri State
  The Missourian: Missouri's hot bats continue against Missouri State
• Chelsea
  The Trib: Can Chelsea Thomas go the distance? Others have.
• Max
  SimmonsField.com: Mizzou Baseball in the Majors: Max Scherzer
• Next Up For Baseball
  MUtigers.com: Tigers Continue Road Trip at Georgia

Other Mizzou Links

• Mizzou Gymnastics
  MUtigers.com: Updike Prepares for Norman Regional
• Mizzou Tennis
  The Missourian: Missouri's Rachel Stuhlmann back on the courts where she grew up
• NERRDS
  MUtigers.com: Hu, McCormick Nominees for McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Award

Other

• Bourdain (and Zimmern)
  Delta Sky Mag: Guts, Glory & Growing Up
• I Love Roger Ebert
  Roger Ebert: A Leave of Presence