Everywhere you looked on Thursday, you saw Mizzou Hoops social media posts. From men’s picture day and the release of the SEC tv schedule to the first day of practice for the women, there was A LOT going on, and being the gigantic hoops fan I am, I was THRILLED.
First up, PICTURE DAY! Lookin good, fellas!
feelin' fresh ❄ pic.twitter.com/unmSvX3yWY
— Mizzou Hoops (@MizzouHoops) September 29, 2021
Next up, a day after the women’s SEC tv schedule was released, the men followed suit.
Coming soon to a TV near you. @SEC tip times and TV designations are here!
— Mizzou Hoops (@MizzouHoops) September 30, 2021
https://t.co/nmyFvgUBvh#ToTheFinishLine pic.twitter.com/Vg1lklavCk
The Tigers schedule is highlighted by a Feb. 5 matchup at Texas A&M on ESPN2 and an additional three games on ESPNU. All 18 conference games will be on national television across the ESPN family of networks, including the SEC Network. The announcement follows yesterday’s Big 12/SEC Challenge announcement, which slates the Tigers matchup against Iowa State on Jan. 29 at 1 p.m. on ESPNU.
From my perusal, it looks like all games will be on the SEC Network, with the exception of at Ole Miss on January 18 (ESPNU), at South Carolina on March 1 (ESPNU), and the aforementioned games against Texas A&M (ESPN2) and Iowa State (ESPNU). We’ll have to wait to see tv networks for Mizzou’s other marquee matchups, including the Border War return against Kansas on December 11, and the Braggin Rights game on December 22.
Then, it was time for Robin Pingeton’s squad to suit up for their first official practice.
Clockin' In ⏰ Time to get to work. #OurTownOurTeam pic.twitter.com/AGqjRnYwlv
— Mizzou Basketball (@MizzouWBB) September 30, 2021
Underway. #OurTownOurTeam pic.twitter.com/MnzzOHuvE6
— Mizzou Basketball (@MizzouWBB) September 30, 2021
Feels to be in the gym. Practice 1⃣ flicks #OurTownOurTeam pic.twitter.com/GzKmgFZ79A
— Mizzou Basketball (@MizzouWBB) September 30, 2021
On to the Links! Best wishes to the Tigers tomorrow!
Get ready to vote for the vintage #Mizzou logos you would want released from the vault and included on upcoming @TheMizzouStore x @ChampionUSA merch.
— Mizzou (@Mizzou) September 30, 2021
The vote begins tomorrow, Oct. 1! Stay tuned for voting info pic.twitter.com/JohJp6lp9A
Yesterday at Rock M
- Sammy chatted with Nick Carner of Rocky Top Talk about the upcoming game. This was the best convo I’ve seen in this series. Nick gave some really real answers, and it’s well worth a read.
- In a new BTBS pod, the guys chat about Connor Bazelak, the season thus far, Mookie Cooper, and the Tennessee game.
- Nate begrudgingly wrote about the costume reveal, and it’s a blackout!!!
- COMING UP: We’ll have a brand new Pregamin featuring Nate, Kortay, and Ryan, a new Three & Out from Aaron, and a Bottoms Up post for the drinkers out there…
More Links:
Football
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch: In a special to the Post-Dispatch, Max Baker wrote a GREAT story on walk on Michael Cox, who appears to be the no. 2 back after spending the off-season learning from more established RB, Dawson Downing and Tyler Badie, while Dave Matter said a loss to the Vols would leave the Tigers scrambling to get to six wins and held his weekly chat.
- Columbia Tribune: In a new episode of the Mizzou Sports Podcast, Eric Blum & Chris Chris Kwiecinski chat about Mizzou Football enters the Tennessee game with Adam Sparks. Chris wrote about Tennessee being an excellent opportunity for Mizzou’s offense to shine, while Eric wrote about it from the UT perspective, calling it a must-win game for the Vols.
- KC Star: On a new SportsBeat KC episode, Blair Kerkhoff talked the regional beat writers — Kellis, Jesse, & Lila — about the growing challenges for MU, kU, and K-State, after winless weekends, and Lila covered the news of the naming rights for the new practice facility.
- PowerMizzou: In a new Opposition Research video, Gabe DeArmond talked with VolQuest.com’s Brent Hubbs about the matchup, while Mitchell Forde wrote about the Tigers’ preparation for the high-speed offense Tennessee coach Josh Heupel honed at Mizzou.
- Saturday Down South: Stacey Mickles broke down the Tigers-Vols matchup.
- The new indoor practice facility has been named in honor of MU alums and prominent donors, Brad and Rachel Stephens, according to press release at MUTigers.com.
It's official. The Stephens Indoor Facility.
— Mizzou Athletics (@MizzouAthletics) September 30, 2021
Coming Summer 2023. https://t.co/sw1NSHhGIm
“Mizzou has been an important part of our lives, and we are excited to be able to partner with Coach Drinkwitz and the Department of Athletics on their vision for the football program. I have always thought athletics was an integral part of the University experience and this project continues the work which was started with the beautiful South End Zone Facility” — Brad Stephens
- Check out the latest injury report (and read about it from the Missourian’s Emily Leiker and STL Today’s Dave Matter):
Mizzou injury report for Tennessee game:
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) September 30, 2021
Questionable: WR Barrett Banister, RG Case Cook, TE Niko Hea
Out: WR Mookie Cooper, DT Darius Robinson
- Congrats to former football Tigers Howard Richards, Rob Riti, and Merv Johnson on their induction into the Mizzou Tigers Hall of Fame. Well deserved honors! (More info on the football honorees, as well as those selected from other sports, at MUTigers.com)
Congratulations! What a celebration! #MizzouMade pic.twitter.com/vT53KU5Uo6
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) September 30, 2021
Statistical Stuff
- Good for the offense!
The SEC OFF with the best Scoring Drive Rate entering Week5
— SEC StatCat (@SEC_StatCat) September 30, 2021
1. OMiss 61.5%
2. Alabama 58.7%
3. Missouri 55.6%
3. Auburn 55.6%
5. UGA 49.0%
6. Arkansas 46.3%
7. Florida 45.7%
8. LSU 42%
9. Tenn 38.55
10. UK 38.3%
11. TAMU 30%
12. SC 27.7%
13. MSU 25.9%
14. Vandy 18%
AVR= 41.7% pic.twitter.com/AsbuOBtKnm
- This seems much better than it was after the first game, huh?
The SEC OFFs with the lowest 3NOut Rate entering Week5
— SEC StatCat (@SEC_StatCat) September 30, 2021
1. OMiss 10.3%
2. Mizz 11.1%
3. UK 12.8%
4. Florida 13%
5. UGA 13.7%
6. Tenn 15.4%
7. Auburn 15.6%
8. MSU 16.7%
9. Alabama 21.7%
10. LSU 22%
11. SC 23.4%
12. Arkansas 25.9%
13. TAMU 26%
14. Vandy 40%
SEC AVR= 19.4% pic.twitter.com/htYqZ6JZsa
Want more stats? Head over to @SEC_StatCat on twitter and there’s TONS to parse through.
Hoops
- Yes, Dave, this IS most interesting:
Interesting: The Division I Women's and Men's Basketball Committees are exploring holding both Final Fours in the same city. The earliest it could happen is 2027.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) September 30, 2021
- USA Today’s Dan Wolken wrote, College athletes will get paid. It’s just a matter of time after the National Labor Relation Board’s memo.
Other Mizzou Sports
- Best of luck to Men’s Golf this weekend, who is participating in a tourney in Illinois this weekend.
Columbia ➡️ Sugar Grove, Ill.
— Mizzou Men's Golf (@MizzouMensGolf) September 30, 2021
Our guys are ready to compete at the 2021 Rich Harvest Farms Intercollegiate. #MIZ ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/V8xwUyz5X0
- Soccer (4-6 overall, 0-3 SEC) will take on Vanderbilt (4-5-2, 1-1-1) on tonight in Nashville. The match will kick off at 7 pm CT and streamed on SECN+. More info at MUTigers.com
Friday night showdown in the Music City
— Mizzou Soccer (@MizzouSoccer) September 30, 2021
https://t.co/0zv3FmcgKJ#TakeTheStairs ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Ym5yBPsqc0
- Volleyball’s tough season continues, this time losing to South Carolina (10-3, 2-1) on Thursday evening in consecutive sets: 25-12, 25-17, and 25-19. Anna Dixon and Brynn Carlson led the Tigers with eight kills, while freshman Kaylee Cox had seven. More info at MUTigers.com
- In a cool story, the Missourian’s Emma Eaton wrote about freshman phenom, Kaylee Cox, who brings her competitiveness, skill set and high IQ to Mizzou Volleyball.
Mizzou in the Pros News
- Game Two of WNBA semis took place Thursday evening, with Sophie Cunningham’s Phoenix Mercury beating down the Las Vegas Aces 117-91 behind unbelievable performances of Brittany Griner and the GOAT, Diana Taurasi. As for Sophie’s performance, she contributed a lot while on the floor, even if it wasn’t necessarily on the stat sheet. In her 12 minutes off the bench, she scored 2 points (1-3 FG, 0-2 from three) with 1 rebound and was +10. Game Three will be on Sunday in Phoenix, though not at their arena AGAIN because of Disney on Ice… SMDH.
Sophie Cunningham’s ability to be annoying as hell to her opponent is really impressive.
— Maggie Hendricks (@maggiehendricks) October 1, 2021
- The Denver Stiffs’ Brandon Ewing looked at Michael Porter, Jr’s journey to being a max contract player.
- Chase Daniel’s out here shilling for Mizzou apparel, y’all. SOLD.
Need some Nike swag for the @mizzoufootball game this weekend? Don't forget to check out the new Nike shop at the Mizzou store! #MIZ #sponsored pic.twitter.com/sEpP1XffWX
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) September 30, 2021
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