The SEC finally worries about the “others”

If you’ve been wondering what’s to become of the “little guys”.... you know, the OTHER fall sports, you are in luck. The SEC announced today the start dates and laid out the competition schedule (kind of) for the non-revenue sports. I, for one, am happy to see that the SEC is focusing not just on football, and they’ve made some plans for what to do with everyone else. I’m sure Joshua Taylor’s squad, who has been very active on the Mizzou VB twitter, will be happy to have some idea of what’s to come, for one.

Let’s take a look at some highlights!

• Cross country will have at least two, but at most three meets leading up to the SEC Championships at the end of October. The season will take place between 9/11-10/23, which seems very.... short. They can run against non-con opponents, provided the schools adhere to SEC testing protocols.
• Soccer will have an 8-game conference-only schedule starting 9/18. All schools will be able to compete in the SEC Championships in mid November and will be guaranteed at least two games.
• Volleyball will also consist of an 8-match, conference-only schedule lasting 6 weeks, beginning 10/16. Each school will compete against 4 opponents twice in the same weekend on back-to-back days.
• Golf and Tennis, which typically spans two seasons, may begin competition on 10/1 in up to three Team events. Their competition is limited to only SEC members and non-con teams within their geographic region.

A few other things to note...

• Soccer and volleyball will play in both fall AND spring, which is new, but not much has been decided about the specifics. From the release:

SEC soccer and volleyball teams will participate in spring competition as well, with details of formats contingent on final decisions by the NCAA to conduct spring championships in those sports.

• Baseball and softball are permitted in participate in “fall practice activities and intra-squad games”, but they are prohibited from participating in exhibition games against others in the fall.

One last thing... This came out from Mizzou regarding appropriate face coverings, in case there were any questions....

Happy Friday! On to the links!

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Yesterday at Rock M

• Kortay published the second of his series on Pandemic Football, this time about the Spanish Flu.
• Aaron wrote about the best wide receiver and tight end recruits in Mizzou history.
• Sammy wrote about the top 5 single best wide receiver performances since 2000.
• A Before the Box Score podcast episode with Nate & BK is up!
• Coming up: The 20 for 20 continues! Check back later this morning for #13.

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More Links:

Football/SEC

• St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Dave was very busy today with a new weekly chat, a piece about how the tight ends roles are up for grabs, and covered Drink’s thoughts on Jacob Blake and the social justice movement.
• PowerMizzou (free): Gabe wrote about how the Tigers are relishing the chance to focus on football during these trying times. Gabe & Mitch were back with new hot taeks in their Blowing Smoke Presented by Weston Tobacco series.
• Columbia Missourian: Max Baker wrote that Drinkwitz is looking for the “five best” offensive linemen during camp.
• KC Star: Souichi wrote about how football tickets will be allocated this season, as well as Drinkwitz’s words on social justice in the wake of recent news.
• The Athletic ($$): Peter Baugh gave some takeaways, ranging from Drinkwitz speaking out about Jacob Blake to the latest testing results.
• Drinkwitz joined the Jim Rome Show today (is it weird I didn’t know that was still a thing?). Have a listen!

• Okay, this is AWESOME.

• On the SEC front, good on the University of Kentucky, who apparently walked about of their practice today in support of the protests across sports. And Auburn canceled Thursday’s practice on account of COVID tests.

Other Mizzou Sports

• St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Dave talked with new Mizzou commit, Sean Durugordon, about his challenging childhood— he lost both parents by age 15, what kind of basketball player he is, and his relationship with the staff despite never having been to the state of Missouri. It’s a great read, and I highly suggest it to get to know our newest signee!
• Looks like, according to Eric Bossi of Rivals, Mizzou Hoops’ biggest target, KC’s Tamar Bates, will be announcing his college decision TODAY via Instagram live at 10:30. Matt tweeted what seemed to indicate he would be heading to Texas, and 247Sports agrees, but I guess we’ll see!
• Jeff Goodman of WatchStadium polled some 250-plus athletic directors on everything from their level of confidence on whether there will be a season to what issues stand in the way and what format they prefer. Check it out.
• Local media coverage of SEC fall Olympic sports changes: Eric Blum (Columbia Tribune). Souichi Terada (KC Star).

Mizzou in the Pros

• Nora Princiotti of The Ringer.com (a great website), asked how high can Drew Lock fly, and if he’ll take the Broncos with him.
• Jordan Clarkson told KSL Sports Radio that the Jazz’s support has meant the world to him. He can become a highly-coveted unrestricted free agent after this season, but he’s gotten quite close with Coach Quin Snyder. Also, according to Variety, Jordan Clarkson has updated his digs, purchasing a $5.75 walled and gated mansion in Sherman Oaks, California (LA area). Damn.
• The Nuggets’ instagram shared this from Michael Porter, Jr.

Denver Nuggets instagram

• Former Mizzou commit Devin Williams is lighting it up.

Interesting/Non-Mizzou News

These are some of the best stories & tidbits I found regarding some goings-on in sports and the world— Enjoy! There’s A LOT of good stuff in here.

• NBA news: Jeff Zilgutt of USA Today told us what fans need to know about the re-restart after Thursday’s postponed games. Marc J Spears of The Undefeated detailed five (some surprising) takeaways from the players meeting on Wednesday evening. Seriously, y’all.... REGISTER TO VOTE. Jemele Hill of The Atlantic wrote a great piece about how the players have put America on notice. Dan Wolken of USA Today wrote an opinion piece about how the NBA players are trying to use their power and voice to create actual, meaningful change. William C Rhoden of The Undefeated said that the NBA Bubble has effectively “burst,” and players have turned their frustration into action.
• Sam Mellinger of the KC Star wrote a non-sports post for the first time since his mom’s passing, he said. In his fantastic column, he talked about how he wishes he could stick to sports, but the intersection between sports and what’s happening in our country right now is very, very blurry and there’s a lot of work to be done. It’s brilliant.
• Howard Bryant of ESPN wrote a tremendous piece about the reality of Black pain, and how it is breaking American sports’ status quo, and Benjamin Hochman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote a really great piece on the Cardinals’ Dexter Fowler and Jack Flaherty, saying that St. Louis can learn a lot from them.
• WNBA news: Holly Rowe (AKA The Goat) posted about the players’ vigil and talked with WNBPA president and LA Sparks forward, Nneke Ogwumike, who read the players’ statement. Powerful stuff.

• According to this story in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals are offering up Busch Stadium as a satellite voting site, and it should come as no surprise who brought this up to team personnel— Jack Flaherty. I LOVE THAT DUDE.
• Pat Mahomes and Travis Kelce went on SiriusXM NFL Radio to voice how they’re ready to do some heavy lifting in the form of fighting social inequality. Love to see it.

• Columbia Public Schools, per this article in the Columbia Tribune, will allow ONE spectator per player at football games this fall.
• 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.**)