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University of Missouri Athletics - A Championship Vision: Meet #Mizzou's DeMontie Cross
Football
Perhaps you missed the big news, but Mizzou landed a quarterback for the 2016 class, one whose father played with Drew Lock's dad back in the late 80's. We've updated our Weekend Recruiting Visitors post.
I guess, we can talk about Terry Beckner Jr. getting arrested for pot, but I just can't get that worked up about. As I said on twitter last night, the guy plays a violent sport, was in a violent car accident that wasn't his fault, and severely damaged his knee in Mizzou's last win. He wanted to get high on his birthday and made a mistake. I'm already past it.
We apparently missed the invite, but former Mizzou cornerback Kenya Dennis played in the Tropic Bowl. According to their website, Dennis had three tackles, a pass break up and an interception. Dennis played on the East team, which ended with a win. You can watch the highlights on YouTube. 27 NFL teams and 4 CFL teams sent representatives to scout, which could be good Dennis, whose name isn't really being floated in mock drafts.
Meanwhile, three other former Tigers -- Kentrell Brothers, Evan Boehm and Connor McGovern -- were invited to the Senior Bowl, which will be played on January 30 on the NFL Network. Naturally, they're on the South's roster.
Here's what NFL.com has to say about Brothers:
Really fun to watch on tape with many of the same play traits that made TCU’s Paul Dawson so productive last season. Brothers is a decisive, rhythm linebacker whose understanding of space and ability to improve his tackle positioning at the point of attack should make him a consistently productive inside linebacker in the pros. While Brothers will lack the speed and overall athleticism that some teams covet, it would be a huge mistake to value athleticism over instincts and production when evaluating Brothers
There's no profile for human muscle mountain Connor McGovern, but here's the one for Evan Boehm:
Four-year starter with outstanding power at the point of attack with an ability to create running lanes through sheer brute force. Boehm’s squatty frame may cause some evaluators to hesitate, but offensive line coaches will fall in love with his instincts, power, leadership and durability. Boehm has a chance to be an early starter for a team looking for power and leadership in the middle of their line
On the topic of Evan Boehm, perhaps you saw that there's a new #77 for Mizzou Football next year.
In coaching news, the latest hire, TE coach Joe Jon Finley, will be making a pretty penny:
New MU tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley is making an annual salary of $325,000, per the school.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) January 21, 2016
That puts Barry Odom's full-time assistant staff pool at $3.79M for the year, a bump of 4.4% from the $3.63M Gary Pinkel's final staff made.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) January 21, 2016
Elsewhere, Nike has announced that Kansas City will be one of the cities that will host a 7-on-7 prep football league. I think this is an excellent idea that could directly help Mizzou due to proximity as well as exposure for recruiting.
Basketball
Yesterday, Bill took us to Study Hall and told us that this is the same old story and the sequels don't look much better.
Sam did a thorough break down of what the addition of Texas transfer Jordan Barnett means for Mizzou's scholarship situation in light of the recent NCAA restrictions, and who Mizzou is after on the hoops recruiting trail.
This is a good article about one of the top contributors for the Women's hoops squad. Unfortunately, the women were unable to complete an overtime comeback on the road against Texas A&M. Here's the final box score. Something I noticed was standout performances from Jordan Frericks and Sierra Michaelis, while phenom Sophie Cunningham fouled out.
The Trib: No. 23 MU women lose an overtime heartbreaker to No. 13 Texas A&M
The 23-ranked Missouri women’s basketball team positioned itself for a second road victory over Texas A&M in as many years, but the Tigers failed to seal the deal and lost 81-77 in overtime to the 13-ranked Aggies on Thursday night in College Station, Texas.
MUtigers.com: #23 @MizzouWBB Falls at #12 Texas A&M in Overtime, 81-77
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – No. 23 Mizzou Women's Basketball (15-4, 2-4) erased a 14-point fourth quarter deficit but eventually fell 81-77 in overtime to No. 12 Texas A&M (14-5, 4-2) Thursday evening at Reed Arena. Jordan Frericks (Quincy, Ill.) led Mizzou with 23 points, 12 rebounds and five assists to record her 22nd career double-double. Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) added 20 and 10 rebounds for her first career double-double.