Cuonzo talks coaching today’s generation

First off, excuse me while I wipe away some tears. I am so damn proud of this team, y’all. They came into a game that no one in the world thought they’d win (me included, TBH) and played their hearts out. Yes, I know the GOOD Tigers didn’t win (Will Wade devil magic back at its finest), but THIS is what I want to see... with less fouls and making free throws, obviously. Everyone that played scored. Let that sink in. Every.one.that.played.scored. At least two points.

Moving on...

In Dave Matter’s game day blog post on Tuesday, he shared at length what Coach Martin told the beat writers at Media Day about managing expectations and coaching today’s generation. He told a story about how his mom came to see him play as a freshman against Illinois and he barely played, so what did his mom do? She gave each of the coaches a greeting card and gave her son a hug and asked him if he’d been reading his Bible. That’s it.

Because what could she do, really? What could he do? He admittedly said he wasn’t a guy who was going to bail out or call up his high school coach to complain, because what would that solve? It had nothing to do with that coach. He wasn’t coaching him anymore.

In regards to playing time and struggles, he said:

“Now, if you’ve been mistreated that’s one thing, but if it’s just about the basketball piece, I say to parents all the time, ‘Let him go through that. Because he’ll grow into that. Whatever it is, he’ll grow. It’s a lesson.’ If you allow him to continue to jump and make moves he’ll never learn then all of a sudden they become fathers, husbands and parents. They have some tough lessons, but they didn’t get equipped to deal with those lessons at 15, 16, 17, 18. They’ll struggle in life.”

And this:

“I think that’s where people get lost. That doesn’t mean that’s a bad thing. But if you want comfort, you don’t want to go through life. There are bumps in the road and there’s pain in a journey in order for you to be successful. I think that’s the beautiful thing of life. Like our guys, you go through these bumps , you lose this game, but what did you learn from it?

Man.... just when I thought I couldn’t love Cuonzo Martin more...

You need to read the article. Seriously.

Now, on to the links!

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Yesterday at Rock M

• Josh previewed Tuesday night’s home matchup against cheater Will Wade’s Tigers that have stupid colors (my apologies?).
• Ryan posted a LSU-Mizzou game thread if you wish to see what the rest of the commentariat had to say.
• Ryan, pulling double-duty Tuesday night, told us in his gamer that the Tigers gave it all they had, but just couldn’t overcome the second half surge.

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More Links:

Football

• PowerMizzou (subscribers): Sean Williams gave a 2021 quarterback outlook.
• Saturday Down South: Adam Spencer identified the 5 most important returning players in 2020.
• The Missourian staff shared that 86 student-athletes who named to the SEC’s Fall 2019 Academic Honor Roll. Congrats, you smarty-pantses (I am aware that isn’t a word). The football team had the highest number of athletes named— 33, but they also have the biggest team, right?
• NICK BOLTON. Enough said.

• Here’s the officially-official team graphic of the NFL Combine invitees.

• Jordan Elliott, good at defending. Future NFLer.

Hoops

• St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Dave wrote about Tray Jackson’s potential, which has been showcased in short bursts. He also wrote that HCCM masterpiece mentioned above.
• KCStar: Mentioning Souichi’s awesome article on Torrence and Mark’s families again since yes— Torrence’s mom was in attendance tonight at LSU.
• PowerMizzou (free): AJ Blankenship detailed 2021 4-star Jaden Jones’ recent unofficial visit.
• PowerMizzou (free): Mitchell previewed the Tigers x2 game, saying in order to win the Tigers should: 1) avoid a slow start, 2) control the paint, and 3) hit some threes, before predicting an 18-point (!!) loss for the Tigers. (editor’s note: 1- CHECK. 2- CHECK, especially in first half. 3-CHECK in the first half. And you were way off, Mitchell. Way off that point discrepancy)
• DRUUUUUUUUUUUUUU. Also, the heart on this kid playing through some definite pain. Also, Dru had three steals tonight, so he’s up to 53 now.

• Choose Your Own Gamers available in various places: Souichi Terada (KC Star). Gabe DeArmond’s And One (PowerMizzou). Dave Matter (St. Louis Post-Dispatch). Eric Blum (Columbia Tribune). Adam Reckamp (Missourian).
• My pick for tweet of the night. Only 6 mins into the game, but really, LOVEEEE TO SEEEEEEE IT.

Other Mizzou Sports News

• Larissa Anderson’s No. 18, 5-0 Tigers returns to Florida this weekend for the ESPN Elite Invite. They will face four teams ranked in the polls, and the Border War returns! More info at MUTigers.com and in the Missourian’s story by Tyler Hollins.
• Softball player Cayla Kessinger sharing words of wisdom on Twitter. Really liking this softball team.

• Check out the women’s golf spring schedule, which kicks off in Arizona near the end of this month.

• Mizzou Athletics posted a new episode of Inside the Huddle with Athletic Director, Jim Sterk.
• Track will be busy this week, sending groups to both the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville and the Iowa State Classic.

• Check out Mizzou alums/awesome journalists, Pat Forde and son Mitchell Forde, who were on hand to speak at the KC Tiger Club Luncheon on Tuesday afternoon.

• No. 24 #TigerStyle closes MAC Competition at SIU-Edwardsville Wednesday, per MUTigers.com.
• The tumbling Tigers are back on the mat on Friday in St. Charles, facing off against LSU, Iowa State, and Division II powerhouse, Lindenwood in at 6:30pm.

• Freshman Hannah McCrary had a helluva floor routine against Alabama on Friday.

• With only three days away from their season opener, baseball held their media day at Taylor Stadium.

• Speaking of Taylor Stadium, it looks like it is going to be getting some upgrades. Some artist renderings, according to Dave Matter. And rest up, Trae Robertson...

Other News

• Not related to Mizzou at all, but for all my Blues fans out there, scary moment for Jay Bouwmeester. Really hope he’s okay.

• In non-athletics news, the Office of the Chancellor put out a new episode of the Inside Mizzou podcast, this time on classroom innovation.
• If you’re looking to sign up for ESPN+, Rock M Nation now has an affiliate link: click Here for ESPN+ Now! (** RockMNation has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though RockMNation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.**)