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1. Sunday was a big end to 2018 for Missouri wrestling and Missouri women’s basketball.
Let’s start with women’s basketball.
Cierra Porter scored four points in her return — but that put her over the 1,000-career point mark. She also added four rebounds and two steals in 11 minutes, helping to lead Missouri to a 70-50 win over Arkansas State on Sunday.
Welcome back, @cierra_porter!
— Mizzou Basketball (@MizzouWBB) December 30, 2018
She drains two free throws and is now a member of #Mizzou's 1️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ point club!#MIZ #OurTownOurTeam pic.twitter.com/1eT79Mpl4e
Also, in one of the most interesting stat lines you’ll see, Sophie Cunningham put up 20 points on just six field-goal attempts — and only two made field goals. She went 16-for-18 from the line.
The Missouri women close their non-conference schedule 11-3, and will take a three-game winning streak into 2019. First up? A Thursday date with Ole Miss.
2. Missouri wrestling proved itself, again and again, with an amazing weekend at the South Beach Duals.
Missouri wrestling went 4-0 over the weekend, defeating Kent State, No. 21 Lehigh, No. 13 Purdue and No. 8 Cornell to extend its dual winning streak to 30. It’s closest match off the weekend came against Lehigh, which Missouri won 21-12.
Missouri, ranked sixth nationally, is 10-0 on the season.
So, that means if Missouri football wins on Monday, the Tigers’ mens basketball, women’s basketball, wrestling and football teams will all start the New Year with winning streaks.
3. No surprise, but no Albert O for the Liberty Bowl.
Barry Odom confirmed what everyone assumed — Missouri will be without Albert Okwuegbunam for the season finale.
Odom confirms TE Albert Okwuegbunam won’t play in the Liberty Bowl. No surprise. He hasn’t practiced since the Florida game.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 30, 2018
Luckily for Missouri, the offense hasn’t missed much of a beat in his absence. Against a less-than-stellar Oklahoma State secondary, Missouri’s passing game shouldn’t struggle even without one of its best players.
Also from the Mike Gundy-Barry Odom press conference on Sunday, Gundy threw some (potential) shade at Oklahoma while giving Missouri a big ol’ compliment:
Gundy says Missouri could be the best overall team, most balanced team “across the board” that OSU has played this year. (Reminder: OSU played Oklahoma.)
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 30, 2018
Speaking of shade...
Barry Odom says last year, the team had some things going on in the leadup to the bowl game that "probably weren't as healthy as you would want them to be." Think it's fair to assume that's a reference to the departure of Josh Heupel and Glen Elarbee.
— Mitchell Forde (@Mitchell4D) December 30, 2018
Yesterday at Rock M
- Liberty Bowl Preview! Drew Lock should put up big numbers in his career finale
- Study Hall: Missouri 75, Morehead State 61
- ICYMI: Christian Guess leaves the Missouri basketball program
- ICYMI: Missouri rockin’ the Sailor Tiger helmets for Monday
More Links:
- AL.com previews the Liberty Bowl — or just dumps a whole lot of notes.
- Mark Richt retired! Miami’s coaching search begins! Miami’s coaching search ends with Manny Diaz leaving Temple for Coral Gables!
- Now the Temple coaching search begins:
A statement from our Director of Athletics, Dr. Patrick Kraft. pic.twitter.com/HcBUQJLNk0
— Temple Owls (@TempleOwls) December 31, 2018
- Rich Rod is coming to the SEC and Missouri will have to face him in 2019:
BREAKING: Former #Arizona HC Rich Rodriguez is expected to become the new offensive coordinator at #OleMiss, per source.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 31, 2018
- Blaine Gabbert got the start for the Tennessee Titans in a win-and-in game to end the year. Things didn’t go all that great.