College hoops is just around the corner...

We’re less than a month away from tip-off to the college basketball season, and Missouri’s men’s team will open up their 2021-2022 campaign on November 9th against Central Michigan. Losing a lot from last year’s squad comes with uncertainty heading into this season.

Matt Norlander of CBS Sports tends to agree. In his preseason countdown rankings of all 358 Division 1 college basketball teams, Mizzou at least made the Top 100, but at an underwhelming spot at No. 90.

Here’s what Matt said about the Tigers:

“The anfractuous nature Missouri under Cuonzo Martin looks like it’s leading to another season with the Tigers finishing between 16 and 20 wins. Kobe Brown and Javon Pickett are solid players, but in a bolstered SEC it’s hard to see Mizzou in the bubble conversation come March.”

Can’t say that he’s wrong, but we’ll just have to wait and see. With so much uncertainty, perhaps Mizzou can surprise some people this season.

Of note: There’s were three SEC teams that were ranked below the Tigers on here: Vanderbilt (102nd), Georgia (115th), and Texas A&M (116th).

And in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals, Sophie Cunningham did.....Sophie Cunningham things. Returning from a calf strain injury, she was inserted into the starting lineup, and had a good night to show for it.

Cunningham scored nine points with five rebounds and two assists and was a +6 on the floor, playing a total of 29:21.

Sophie even got some well deserved social media reaction.

The Phoenix Mercury beat the Chicago Sky 91-86 in an overtime thriller to tie the best-of-five series at 1-1.

Game 3 of the WNBA Finals will be on Friday night (ESPN2, 8:00 p.m. CST) at Chicago. Go Sophie!

Onto the links! M-I-Z!

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Yesterday at Rock M

• Read up on Nate Edwards’ preview of the Texas A&M Aggies
• Mekhi Wingo and Chad Bailey took advantage of their opportunities, writes Brandon Kiley
• Wednesday Watch Grid: Game Times and Betting Lines for Week 7, from Nate Edwards

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More Links:

(STLToday)

• On the latest Eye on the Tigers: Dave Matter and Ben Frederickson wonder if Mizzou can lure Texas A&M into a letdown?
• From Dave Matter: Texas A&M reboots season with Alabama upset, led by a QB with St. Louis roots

(Columbia Missourian)

• From Emma Eaton: MU volleyball’s (Anna) Dixon emerges as leader, go-to player
• Missouri defensive line regroups after eventful week, writes Wilson Moore

(Miscellaneous/Tweets)

• Mizzou Volleyball remains winless in the SEC after a home loss in five sets to Alabama

• Rob Mahoney of The Ringer writes that Michael Porter Jr. Will Get His Moment....If He’s Ready for It
• On the latest episode of KC Sports Network’s “Making Mizzou” with Martin Rucker and Tommy Saunders, they catch up with former teammate Brad Ekwerekwu. It’s worth a watch!

• A big congrats to Rock M’s own Brandon Kiley on his radio success at 101 ESPN!

• Insert Eyeball emoji....

• Keep recruiting, Drink!

• Connor Bazelak getting some love from The Manning Passing Academy.

• Tiger Style has received a commitment from Liberty, Missouri’s Easton Hilton

• Matt Harris gives us an in-depth look of Mizzou Basketball’s offers and visitors in the 247Sports’ 2023 rankings

• Chris Gervino joined KTRG’s Big Show to preview all things on the Mizzou/Texas A&M game on Saturday. Give it a listen!

• If you’re looking to sign up for ESPN+, Rock M Nation now has an affiliate link: click Here for ESPN+ Now!
• If you’re looking to sign up for a new streaming service, you can try FuboTV: click HERE for FuboTV access — FuboTV now has ESPN, CBS, FS1 and more sports channels.
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