Mizzou Links, 2-27-14: A QB battle and one last hoops rally

Hoops attempts one final rally, spring football is just 12 days away, and Women's Hoops fights for a better SEC Tournament seed.

By Bill Connelly@SBN_BillC Feb 27, 2014, 5:04am CST

1. HOT HOOPS TALK

KC Star: Unless Frank Haith can turn talent into teamwork, Missouri’s slide will continue
KC Star: Reeling Missouri hopes its NCAA Tournament bubble won’t burst
Mizzou Network: POSTGAME INTERVIEW: Haith after Georgia

Late Recruiting
PowerMizzou: Haith on the Road

2. 12 days to spring football

The Trib (Behind the Stripes): MISSOURI POSITION PRIMER: Special Teams

Baggett's complete body of work last year compares favorably with some of the best in Missouri history. His 120 points rank third all-time on the Tigers' single-season list, behind two Jeff Wolfert years (133 in 2008, 130 in 2007). And yes, a good offense helps that because of a bunch of extra-point tries. But he was pretty good in field goals -- on the whole -- as well. His 72-percent completion rate last year put him ninth all time on the Tigers' single-season list among kickers that tried at least 15 field goals in a season.

The problem was the ebbs and flows. He missed three of his first six, then made nine in a row, then made two of his next six, then hit his final four. And, weirdly, he hit at a higher rate from 40 to 49 yards (6 of 8) and 30 to 39 yards (7 of 9) than 20 to 29 yards (4 of 7). So it wasn't a leg strength thing. His touchback percentage -- which ranked 11th in the FBS -- proved that.

This was all a long way of saying that Baggett is an above average college kicker and should be able to keep his job at Missouri. If he can stay out of his own mind.

PowerMizzou: Spring Preview: QB

The job is not completely set in stone, and that may be due to Eddie Printz. Printz, a redshirt freshman from Marietta, Ga., impressed last fall with his steadiness in camp -- albeit against the lower units on defense. It's that type of steadiness that Missouri's staff has typically looked for in its quarterbacks, and if Printz continues to develop, he could give Mauk a push.

In this case, though, Printz would have to be MUCH better than Mauk to unseat him. Either way, Mauk should feel some pressure to improve his accuracy (51.1-percent in 133 attempts in 2013) and his comfort level in the pocket. Mauk is an electric talent, but his ascension to QB1 will likely be cemented by steadiness and consistency, not pure athleticism.

Mizzou Links, 2-27-14: A QB battle and one last hoops rally

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1. HOT HOOPS TALK

2. 12 days to spring football

3. But hey, we remembered Steve Elkington existed for one day...

4. Well ... they scored eventually...

5. Fightin' Pingetons fightin' for a seed

6. WHATNOT

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