Mizzou Links, 1-27-14: The recruiting weekend, the SC win, and the OTL investigation

The UM president calls for an investigation regarding Sasha Menu Corey, Mizzou wraps up its second-to-last recruiting weekend for the 2014 class, Mizzou still beat South Carolina, and Phil Pressey's setting himself up nicely.

By Bill Connelly@SBN_BillC Jan 27, 2014, 5:11am CST

If only we had anything to talk about...

1. OTL

The Trib: UM System president calls for review of MU response to Menu Courey case
The Trib: Menu Courey's parents hope daughter's experiences, death can promote change
The Missourian: Sasha Menu Courey's parents paint picture of betrayal
The Missourian: MU hands Menu Courey sexual assault investigation to Columbia police
Post-Dispatch: UM president seeks investigation of rape allegation
KC Star: MU system president calls for independent investigation of alleged rape
KC Star: Parents say the system failed former MU swimmer Sasha Menu Courey

2. Nine days to Signing Day

Keyon Dilosa
PowerMizzou: Dilosa talks commitment
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): WR Keyon Dilosa makes 26 commits for Missouri's Class of 2014
KC Star: Wide receiver from Texas commits to Mizzou

Other weekend tidbits
PowerMizzou: Sunday updates thread
PowerMizzou: McWilliams says he is committed
PowerMizzou: Around the Southeast: Ross, Sawyers in demand
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Missouri Recruiting Rankings Roundup

The strategy is working
Post-Dispatch: Mizzou cashes in with Southern recruiting strategy

[North Gwinnett (GA) head coach Bob] Sphire credited Missouri safeties coach Alex Grinch with quickly building relationships around the state of Georgia and getting an early read on some 2014 targets in the area, including Ross and safety Thomas Wilson of Buford, Ga., MU’s other commitment from the state. Mizzou’s success on the field only boosted the program’s reputation in a state that’s bombarded by recruiters from the SEC and Atlantic Coast Conference every year.

"Winning solves most deals," Sphire said. "Winning is its own form of communication, where a whole lot else doesn’t have to be said. What they did this year validated their sales pitch." [...]

Back in the fall, Grinch insisted Missouri isn’t just settling for marginal players in Georgia but targeting players who project as legitimate SEC starters.

"It’s about the quality of the guys we find down there," he said. "If they’re not good enough to play in this conference, it’s not worth bringing them into our program." [...]

"The good thing down here is the kids are fans of the game," [Rivals.com's Woody] Wommack said. "They pay close attention. When Missouri has a season like they had, kids notice that. A lot of Missouri fans are hoping for a bigger impact this recruiting cycle, but next year is probably when they’re going to see the biggest impact in terms of players really knowing who Missouri is when they come in and say what they have to offer."

3. Mizzou still beat South Carolina

MUtigers.com: Missouri Handles South Carolina, 82-74
MUtigers.com: Mizzou vs. South Carolina Post Game Notes
MUtigers.com: MIzzou vs. South Carolina Post Game Quotes

Opening statement...

"This was a really good win for us. I thought we came back from the LSU game and I was really pleased about how we defended. We came out and had 18 assists, which is a season high for us, something we are happy about."

On getting the ball into the post early in the game...

"It is something we talk about quite a bit with our guys. We had some moments where we had some guys not finish as well, but we have to continue to work with them and continue to get better. We have to keep coaching them. It's not just the passer's willingness to pass the ball. It's also the guys moving without the ball. I think when we emphasize that on film, we do a better job of moving around instead of watching the ball."

On how Missouri defended today...

"I am really encouraged about how we defended today, even though there was time in the second half where we could have defended better. I think we set the tone in the first half defending them. That is something I think this team can hang their hat on. When you don't have a great shooting night, you need to find ways to stay in games, and we hope we can use that to stay in games."

On his team's shot selection...

"I think there is no question it was one of our better games shooting the ball. We have three guys that can really score the ball. It takes time to tell those guys to share the ball with each other. When Jabari (Brown) has made two or three threes, we need to make sure we keep getting him the ball and not go away from him. I think it just takes guys understanding and buying into team basketball."

The Trib: Tigers share the love in win over Gamecocks
The Missourian: Missouri men's basketball records season-high assist total
Post-Dispatch: Mizzou holds off South Carolina 82-74
Post-Dispatch: Teamwork boosts Tigers past South Carolina
KC Star: Missouri beats South Carolina 82-74, improves to 3-3 in SEC
KC Star: Frank Haith talks white suits, Phil Pressey

Among other talking points from the press conference, Haith said he was proud of the strides former Missouri guard Phil Pressey has made with the Boston Celtics.

Pressey, who left the Tigers after his junior year, scored 20 and made five of six three-pointers Wednesday in his second NBA start.

"I talked to him his first start," Haith said. "He excited and I’m happy for Phil. Obviously, coaching him for two years was a blessing, and I’m truly happy for him. He’s putting himself in position to have a really good career."

Pressey, who has 101 assists and only 31 turnovers, averaged 11.3 minutes in his first 35 games, putting up 1.5 points with two assists. He shot 24.4 percent, including 14.3 percent from three-point range.

During the last five games, Pressey has averaged 25.5 minutes, putting up 6.0 points and 6.2 assists. His shooting percentages bumped up to 36.7 overall and 43.8 from three-point range.

KC Star: Tigers forward Tony Criswell not suspended, Frank Haith says
KC Star: MU basketball hasn’t taken advantage of opportunity
PowerMizzou: Tigers take out the Gamecocks
Fox Sports MW: Better ball sharing boosts Missouri Tigers to third win in SEC
Mizzou Network: Highlights: Mizzou Beats USC
Mizzou Network: HIGHLIGHT: Rosberg Dunk on Clarkson's behind-the-back pass
Mizzou Network: POSTGAME: Frank Haith South Carolina Postgame Interview