Best Eateries in CoMo: A Bracket.

No, this isn’t sports-related, but it IS Columbia-specific content, and in times like this, we really just are looking for anything to talk about, right?

Well, Peter Baugh of The Athletic put together a bracket of Columbia eateries in a valiant attempt to support local restaurants, though his seeding was... suspect? Witness. (his filled in bracket here, which is just insanity)

Some thoughts on the seedings from Mizzou sports figures/media (my thoughts in parentheses):

“Peter, CC’s on the same line as El Rancho is a crime against humanity... Barred Owl as a 15 and Pizza Tree as a 4? I gotta stop reading man.” -Gabe DeArmond, PowerMizzou (Have to agree... I’ve been to El Rancho and the nachos taste like cardboard, and Pizza Tree is sooo good.)

“Wow, a 12-seed is gonna make it to the Final Four. Congrats, Tellers.” -Benjamin Hochman, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Tellers does have delicious food, but not in my F4)

“I don’t think No. 3-seed 44 Canteen even sweats before the Final Four.” -Eli Lederman, Columbia Tribune (44 Canteen is great, but I LOVE my Flatbranch over them in the Sweet 16)

“Get that Campus bull—— off of there.” -Joan Niesen, formerly of SI (100% agree, Joan is VERY smart and awesome)

“The top-left and top-right quadrants are gauntlets. Chris McD’s, Pizza Tree, Jina Yoo’s, Addison’s, Murry’s, CJ’s and Barred Owl are all legit Elite Eight contenders in one region.” -Keegan Pope, former Mizzou beat writer (Seriously, some tough luck in there)

“Will Booches play on Sunday? They won’t be at full strength.” -Max Baker, Columbia Missourian (Excellent point. They aren’t open Sundays)

“Feel like this bracket needed regions: drunk tanks, casual dining, fine dining, breakfast.” -Matthew J Harris, Rock M Nation (Yes, that would have made sense. I found it hard to compare Cafe Berlin to a non-breakfast spot)

From Kim English (I’m ultimately good with his Final 4):

So, who makes your Final Four? Sound off in the comments! Mine personally is Cafe Berlin, Flabranch, CJ’s (though Addison’s nachos alone give me serious pause in this choice), and D. Rowe’s. For reference, I’ve never had Chris McD’s or CC’s City Broiler... too rich for my blood.

Now who’s hungry?!? On to the links!

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Yesterday at Rock M

• Nate the Great wrote a whole lotta words about... Barry Odom.
• Site Manager Sam shared with us the results of FanPulse’s fantastical Final Four, in which good things happened. (muwahahahhaha)
• WORTH REPEATING: If you haven’t checked out our Mizzou Alum movie box set draft yet, please do. I think I’m winning?
• COMING UP!!! Later today, we’ll have our next sophomore player review— Torrence Watson, along with ROUND 5 of the Mizzou Tiger Legends Draft! Also, a BTBS pod. SO MUCH CONTENT over here at Rock M, y’all.

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More Links:

Football

• PowerMizzou (free): Mitchell Forde wrote a really great piece on new coach Bush Hamdan, who helped to engineer the infamous Statue of Liberty play in Boise State’s 2007 Fiesta Bowl, called “Statue Left: A Mizzou assistant’s connection to history.”
• PowerMizzou ($$): Sean Williams looked at new 2022 DE target, Sterling Lane, who has ties to St. Louis.
• Longsnapper Daniel Hawthorne out there recruiting for Mizzou... Love to see it!

• In the Mizzou memory bank, Henry Josey breaks free for a touchdown against Texas A&M. Definitely one of my favorite Tigers!

• Jordan Elliott was interviewed on the 2 for 1 Drafts podcast. Give it a listen!
• Oh, hey DGB.

Hoops

• PowerMizzou: Gabe and Mitchell’s new ZOUMCast featured Cuonzo meeting with local media. Watch the video!
• KC Star: Souichi wrote how Cuonzo Martin is “Zooming” his way through pandemic-prompted challenges.
• St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Dave continued his Best of Mizzou countdown, and at No. 16 is Phil Pressey!
• Maneater: Wilson Moore wrote about Axel Okongo’s path to Mizzou. If you don’t know much about him — which none of us do — this is a good read on how he ended up with the Tigers.
• NBA.com: Alex Labidou wrote about Michael Porter Jr’s reflections on his eventful rookie campaign.
• SB Nation Denver Stiffs: Ryan Blackburn examined the ceiling, floor, and realistic outcomes for MPJ next season.
• Some life lessons from Jeremiah Tilmon (AKA Dino Jammies)

• A nice message from Women’s Hoops. We can’t wait for them to get back to work either!

Assorted Mizzou Sports News

• Chris Martucci of the Columbia Missourian took a look back at 8 years of Mizzou Swimming & Diving success.
• The baseball team is entertaining each other via Zoom, as shared by pitching coach, Fred Corral.

• Softball ended their season ranked No. 25 in the NFCA poll, for the first time since 2016! (more info at MUTigers.com).

• A 2020 highlight of their win over ranked Nebraska from the Tiger Gymnastics squad

Interesting/Non-specific Sports News

These are a few of the best sports stories & tidbits I found regarding some goings-on in sports and beyond.

• Benjamin Hochman at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote a story about former Mizzou hooper, TJ Soyoye, who is playing on a different kind of front line from his days as a center. He’s now an ER doctor and helping to fight COVID-19 in Columbus, Georgia. It’s a great story and I suggest checking it out.
• The Mothership, SB Nation, put together a list of alternative programming for the month of April. Check it out!
• Adam Silver does not expect the NBA to make a decision on the season until May, according to Mark Medina of USA Today.
• The NFL is holding a ‘fully virtual draft’ with coaches and GMs forced to work from home, according to Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today. That should be... interesting.
• John Krasinski put out a new episode of his YouTube series, Some Good News. These videos are so funny, and can fill your day with some much-needed joy.
• Hochman got in on ribbing the Astros... love it.

• Tuesday (my birthday) was also National Beer Day! Local dive McGinty’s Pub celebrated by honoring some hometown faves. YUM.

• 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.**)