One step (and a few handfuls of COVID tests) closer to Mizzou sports

Can you believe that athletes are actually on the University of Missouri’s campus right now? That they’re working out and practicing, readying themselves for the future return to sports that (hopefully) lays in wait this fall and winter?

It doesn’t even feel real typing it. The past three months have become a new normal for most people in America, and to even consider anything like, “normal,” now feels out-of-place. But normal, or at least a new definition of it, is the goal and Missouri is moving forward with plenty of precautions in place.

Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz said only 20 players are allowed to workout at the same time. They all must stay at least six feet apart while working out.

Joos said the men’s and women’s basketball teams are back on campus, but the players did not work out on Monday. He said they will likely work out in groups of two or four moving forward.

Joos said all of the student-athletes back on campus have been put into pods. Those pods will stay the same throughout the voluntary workouts.

Peter Baugh at The Athletic did some typically excellent work (that I won’t expose from behind the paywall) breaking down the ins-and-outs of these precautions. He also spoke with several parents of current players who expressed both excitement and concern about the threat of the virus.

There have been rumors floating around campus about players that might have tested positive and how Mizzou will handle that information moving forward. To get the best idea of how things will play out, we’re probably facing much of the same — waiting and hoping for the best.

More Links:

• There’s a lot going on at PowerMizzou, where subscribers can get access to all of the following: a Q&A with an OL target out of Minnesota; information about a big-time local target who’s planning a visit to Mizzou soon; film breakdown on Mizzou’s latest four-star commit; and Gabe’s usual Monday morning thoughts, which include some information on how Mizzou will handle COVID concerns.
• This week, the MLB will have a condensed draft, in which superstar pitcher Ian Bedell could be chosen — but could also return to Mizzou for another year. Steve Bieser spoke about the draft and its effects on 2021 to the Post-Dispatch.
• Cuonzo Martin will be back at it talking about hoops (and maybe more) on Seth Greenberg’s web show today at 2 p.m. CT.

• Pete Grathoff wrote about Drew Lock’s march with his Bronco teammates in protest of police brutality.
• Blast from the past! St. Louis Cardinal beat writer Derrick Goold shared one of his first stories from his time at Mizzou with the Missourian as part of the ongoing First Pitches series.
• Y’all got any good ideas here? Our own Matt Harris is proposing SLU-Mizzou (which I’m down for), but does anyone else have a good one?

• 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.**)