New York bias? Who’s to say...

For the second time this offseason, a former Mizzou Tiger has been snubbed for an individual postseason award because of a New York Knick.

While Jordan Clarkson started Mizzou’s offseason off strong by winning Sixth Man of the Year, some thought Mizzou could get a clean sweep by landing Michael Porter, Jr. as the Most Improved and Quin Snyder as Coach of the Year. Well, the former was beaten out by Julius Randle of the New York Knicks while the latter learned today that he was beaten out by Tom Thibodeau... also of the New York Knicks.

Snyder in fact finished third behind Thibs and Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns. Now, perhaps I didn’t pay enough attention this season, but doesn’t it seem strange that the coaches for two top seeds in the Western Conference (both of whom were picked to finish in lower seeds) were both passed over for the coach of a good-not-great Knicks team? I’m not one to believe in things like big city bias (though leagues undoubtedly want their top market teams making deep playoff runs and winning lots of awards), but this choice seems a little shortsighted. Just my two cents.

Despite turning the Jazz into a powerhouse in the Western Conference, Snyder has yet to be recognized for his work in Salt Lake City. He’ll have a chance to put it behind him quickly, though, as the Jazz open their series against the Clippers tonight. You can read the preview from our sister site SLC Dunk here.

Yesterday at Rock M

• Team Missouri Tight End: Chase Coffman

More Links:

• In case you missed it, a few days ago the athletic department set up a GoFundMe page for Mizzou Soccer forward Kyra Reeves. Reeves recently lost both of her parents to COVID-19 within a few days of each other, and the the fund will go to helping her take care of expenses, including paying off the house her family was in.
• At the Kansas City Star, Blair Kerkhoff podcasted about how Missouri is battling hard for upcoming KC area talent along with some other school to the west.
• It’s early in the summer, but the men’s and women’s basketball programs are already back to work and welcoming new members of the squad.
• Continuing yesterday’s theme of highlighting recent visitors, Little, Co., tackle recruit Jake Maikkula thanked the staff for his visit last week. The staff also extended an official offer to Chicago, Ill., receiver Carnell Tate. Tate is a four-star, top 50 level recruit in the 2023 class with offers from... well, pretty much everywhere.
• I live on the East Coast and cannot bear to stay up until 1 in the morning for conference semifinals games played on the in the western time zones., but at last check Michael Porter Jr. had 15 points and 7 rebounds in Denver’s opening game against the Phoenix Suns.
• After the softball team’s ouster in the NCAA Super Regionals, Dave Matter wrote a season retrospective highlighting why the future is still bright for this roster.
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• 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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