Big things are happening for Women’s Hoops!

In great news for the team, sophomore Aijha Blackwell, a Rock M favorite (or is it just me?) was named to the Preseason All-SEC Second Team. Congrats to her! You can check out more information on this honor via Tyler Hollins of the Columbia Missourian.

But the biggest news of the day for Robin Pingeton’s crew was this— Auburn transfer Lauren Hansen has been granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA to play this season! This is great news for what will already be a much improved squad depth-wise and height-wise.

According to the news release on MUTigers.com, a year ago, during her freshman season at Auburn, Hansen made 33% of her three-pointers (40-of-120), and her 1.6 threes a game ranked 10th in the SEC.

In my series recapping ZOOM events with TSF and current coaches about non-revenue sports, Coach P had this to say about Hansen in May:

Coach P expects Auburn transfer Lauren Hansen to provide a spark. She was a 4-star recruit in 2019 and is described as, “gritty, tough, and relentless.” I also like the idea of adding a 3-point shooter to the team, given this past season’s struggles. Her seven 3-pointers against Drake were tied for the most in the SEC.

In terms of other transfers, check out the sweet moves of South Carolina transfer LaDazhiaWilliams, who has been described by Coach P as having, “great athleticism and is capable of finishing at a high rate inside.”

Moving on, but still sticking with basketball, the athletic department put out this safety video ahead of the games starting next week. Great job by Hayley Frank and Mark Smith here, who got to talk about un-fun things!

On to the Links!

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Yesterday at Rock M

• Jacob attended Drinkwitz’s newest MIZ-ZOOM press conference, featuring discussion about Muschamp’s fate and how the team has prepared for (hopefully) this weekend’s game. Kortay attended the second MIZ-ZOOM of the day, this time chatting with Connor Bazelak and Javon Foster.
• Nate the Great published the updated depth chart. Nice to see one of these... it’s been a while. He ALSO looked about how the football team has done against interim coaches in the last decade or two.
• Josh detailed five measuring stick games on Mizzou’s schedule. I highly suggest checking it out.
• COMING UP: Tyree Gillespie’s NFL prospects, Hoops wing previews (Jacob has some harsh takes that hurt my soul), and Nate’s South Carolina preview (assuming this game actually happens)
• IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Check out Josh and the Hoops beat writers’ other position previews so far: Point Guard and Combo Guard.

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More Links:

Football

• St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Matter said that Mizzou is ‘commited to playing’, but roster questions linger.
• KC Star: Souichi asked if Covid would derail another Mizzou game, as the roster hovers close to the minimum.
• Columbia Tribune: Eric Blum said the downsized Tigers are committed to playing.
• Saturday Down South: Steve Marik discussed 3 things Tigers fans should know heading into the matchup against South Carolina. Keith Farner detailed Eli Drinkwitz’s fondness of embracing the underdog roll when App State faced South Carolina. Adam Spencer looked at why Saturday’s game is dangerous, even without Will Muschamp.
• The Maneater: Jack Soble scouted South Carolina, taking a look at their new coach, defensive play (or lack thereof), and their offensive firepower.
• PowerMizzou (free): Gabe put out a video of Drink’s newest press conference. Mitchell Forde covered the release of the new depth chart. Mitchell also detailed Drink’s very good intentions to play this weekend, but he, “can’t predict the future or forecast of what that future is going to be.”
• Congrats to Nick Bolton, a national semi-finalist for the Jason Whitten Man of the Year award. According to MUTigers.com, here’s some more information:

The semifinalists have all demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field

• The hits keep coming for South Carolina, who is now without their two starting cornerbacks. YIKES.

Hoops News (conference-wide)

• We some (some) game times, folks! Get ready! Also, if you follow me on the twittersphere, I posted a pic of my tickets, and there’s a mysterious, yet to be known opponent on Dec. 18! WHO IS IT?!? I MUST KNOW!

• Jeremiah Tilmon, AKA Dino Jammies, looks ready to go. 7 DAYS!

• KC Star: The new KC Sportsbeat podcast discussed how Covid-19 is every college basketball team’s first opponent. (sigh)
• Knoxville News Sentinel: Will Backus wrote about the results of the SEC coaches poll, who picked South Carolina to win the women’s conference. Missouri finished 10th in the preseason poll... the NERVE!
• Columbia Missourian: Tyler Hollins wrote about the seating arrangements and safety precautions for the upcoming basketball season, and detailed the technology the teams are using in practice and during games to help with contact tracing.
• Congrats to Hayley and Aijha, Mizzou Basketball’s newest letterwinners!

• When Mizzou faces Wichita State in December, they will most definitely be without Gregg Marshall, who resigned after many very unpleasant accusations against him. Wish they didn’t have to pay him $8 mil, especially given what he likely did, but I know there are legal issues at play there.
• Yahoo!Sports’ Dan Wetzel wrote about how the Gregg Marshall fiasco revealed the NCAA’s broken and corrupt system. Good stuff.
• In other SEC Hoops news, Ole Miss coach Kermit Davis has tested positive for COVID. If subsequent tests also indicate a positive result, he could be out the first two games of the season.

Other Mizzou Sports News

• Big congrats to Mizzou Athletics programs— Men’s and Women’s Golf, Women’s Tennis, & Women’s Swimming & Diving, who posted some impressive graduate success rates! (more information at MUTigers.com and from Emily Leiker of the Missourian).

• Columbia Missourian: Matt Brolley discussed how volleyball player Tyanna Omazic is keeping her head high during times of extreme adversity. Good stuff... do check it out.
• Columbia Missourian: The Missourian staff reported that three Missouri wrestlers — Brock Mauller, Kegan O’Toole, and Josh Edmond — won individual national titles at the UWW Nationals.
• Mizzou Baseball has itself a top 25 recruiting class by Baseball America for the first time since 2014. (More info at MUTigers.com and from Reid Glenn at the Missourian).

• The Maneater: Michael Howie covered how women’s soccer isn’t done yet, as they advanced to the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament after taking down Florida on Sunday. Next up is South Carolina.
• The Maneater: Zack Zeman detailed how Dariana Hollingsworth-Santana and Claudia Dillon are filling in well for their injured teammates on the volleyball court.

Other Sports/News Updates Around the Area

• Cool news for SLU, who will be partnering with KMOX for their radio broadcasts!

• Kansas City has got itself a new Covid order going into effect Friday, according to Alison Kite of the KC Star. The new order imposes a curfew on restaurants and bars, cutting their capacity in half, and gatherings are tapped at 10 people.
• Tolton Catholic and Porter family member, Coban Porter, is headed to Stephen F Austin, according to Joel Lorenzi of the Missourian. We wish him the best!
• According to Lucas Panzica of Saturday Down South, NFL insider Adam Schefter revealed that Drew Lock’s injury is pretty severe, though he does not have any fractured ribs.
• Really great to see from GP and his foundation. Love what he’s doing with this organization.

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