Folks, we have a fully formed schedule!
As I’m sure all you hoops-crazed fans noticed a few weeks ago, the team released the non-con in all its glory. Here it is if you need a refresher, as it will come up later in this discussion.
The NonCon is set.
— Mizzou Hoops (@MizzouHoops) August 18, 2021
https://t.co/lmgwzpRj4U
️ https://t.co/718MKPvt3z
️ https://t.co/TEUL5aoJwf pic.twitter.com/Vmv7KrAWOn
And Thursday, we officially got dates for the SEC portion of the schedule. YAY! Now Sam (and myself, to a FAR, FAR lesser extent) can get to work on putting together the previews!
Let’s take a closer look at the SEC schedule, shall we? (courtesy of MUTigers.com)
Dates are set. See you soon @SEC hoops.
— Mizzou Hoops (@MizzouHoops) September 9, 2021
https://t.co/WAe7Q4p1mq#ToTheFinishLine pic.twitter.com/3nRpOU4ItN
What’s that old saying? If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best? Well, the Tigers will get a chance to do just that and make some noise early on when they travel to Lexington to kick off the SEC slate on Dec 29 to take on perennial conference favorite, Kentucky (record redacted as it’s not a fair indication of their prowess).
From there, Missouri will return home to face Mississippi State (8-10 SEC, 18-15 overall) for the home opener on Jan 5 before having to [gulp] host the top team from a year ago, Alabama (16-2, 26-7), on Jan 8. Just four days later, the Tigers head to Fayetteville to face the Shirtless Musselmans... I mean Arkansas (13-4, 25-7), who was the runner-up team a year ago. It’s going to be a tough little stretch of games for the new Tigers as 2022 gets into full swing.
A few other notes:
- Missouri fans will get their first (and maybe only) glimpse of Xavier Pinson in a purple & gold Tiger uniform (ew) when the prettier, squeaky clean, wonderful, defensive-minded, normal-colored Tigers face LSU and the Cheatin Will Wades on the road Feb 26.
- In the last week of the season, Mizzou will head to the Other Columbia to face South Carolina (I hope Frank Martin’s health has improved; I love that man) on March 1 before closing the regular season March 5 against SEC cellar-dweller Georgia at home.
- The SEC Tournament will be held March 9-13 in Tampa, FL. Wait, what?
IN TAMPA, FLORIDA.
Parents, I may be making a trip “home” for this.
- As MUTigers.com pointed out, the Tigers could face up to TEN(!!) tournament teams from 2019-20, including four who finished the season in the final AP Top-25 poll.
- And OOOOOHWEEEEE, Dave Matter is right; this stretch is going to be t-o-u-g-h when looking at the season overall.
Over 18 days in December, Mizzou hoops plays at Kansas ... vs. Illinois in St. Louis ... Utah at home ... and at Kentucky.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) September 9, 2021
Onto the Links!
Special shoutout to Rock M contributor, and one of my favorite people, Mr Ryan Faller, who has a birthday today! And so I’m not disowned, I’m also giving a shoutout to always Rock M reader/never Rock M commenter, Jim Steger — my dad — who’s celebrating a birthday on Saturday! Let’s get a big ol’ W in honor of your births, my guys.
Business. Trip.✈️#FlyCOU x #MIZ pic.twitter.com/Rnl9QL9LzR
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) September 10, 2021
Yesterday at Rock M (SOOOO MUCH CONTENT)
- Nate the Great kicked off the day’s coverage with a Kentucky preview. Yay, HUGE game in Week Two.
- Aaron had a new edition of Three and Out to get us thinking about how to beat the ‘Cats.
- Sammy chatted with A Sea of Blue’s James Streble about the upcoming matchup.
- In a new BTBS pod, the guys (BK is backkkkk) discussed the Central Michigan win and previewed Kentucky.
- OMG. The football twitter really messed up the Rock M schedule by releasing the shirts n pants a day early! Nate begrudgingly wrote about it.
- COMING UP: BK tells us more about Kris Abrams-Draine and JC Carlies, and we’ve got a brand new Pregamin.
More Links:
Football
- Dave Matter of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch stayed busy, writing about Mookie Cooper, who is eager to show his receiving skills, conducting a must-read Q&A with Director of Athletics, Desiree Reed-Francois, who has been on the job a full two weeks now. AND he conducted his weekly chat, which subscribers can read in full.
- Chris Kwiecinksi of the Columbia Tribune looked at how Mizzou’s wide receivers can help solve its third-down woes, while Eric Blum identified Kentucky’s strengths and weaknesses heading into Saturday.
- Saturday Down South’s Stacey Mickles identified three keys to victory for the Tigers this weekend.
- Wilson Moore put the injury report in a nice little document for us. Get well soon, y’all.
This week’s #Mizzou injury report pic.twitter.com/NWnGly9HFM
— Wilson Moore (@wilsmoore_) September 10, 2021
Hoops
- These guys HUSTLE.
Gotta . pic.twitter.com/vIVxfgIpQC
— Mizzou Hoops (@MizzouHoops) September 8, 2021
- Micro-excellence, huh? I like it.
= Attention to Detail#OurTownOurTeam pic.twitter.com/zZuwqT1Seb
— Mizzou Basketball (@MizzouWBB) September 9, 2021
Other Mizzou Sports
- Volleyball sets its sights on a couple of road wins this weekend, as they head to the UniWyo Invite in Laramie, WY. According to MUTigers.com, the Tigers will face Northwestern this afternoon at 1pm, followed by UCSB at 6pm. On Saturday evening, they’ll face off against Wyoming at 7pm CST. Live stats will be available throughout the weekend, but you’ll need Mountain West Digital Network to stream the Saturday match.
Work #MIZ pic.twitter.com/4lZmcgeMBJ
— Mizzou Volleyball (@MizzouVB) September 10, 2021
- LOVING those preseason rankings, ladies!
The trend continues.
— Mizzou Tennis (@MizzouTennis) September 8, 2021
Bronte Murgett and Marta Oliveira make history again with ITA Preseason Rankings.
No. 7⃣- Murgett/Oliveira (Doubles)
No. 3⃣4⃣- Murgett (Singles)
https://t.co/CN5tFB66Gq#MIZ #WeHaveLanded pic.twitter.com/SUm9Mw8acH
- Mizzou’s official team sport — yes guys, it’s SOFTBALL — is back on the field. Who’s excited?
Apologies, dear readers, that we at Rock M did not share this tweet until now. It’s from a few days ago…
Back in our happy place! #OwnIt pic.twitter.com/B2m3VTYMSD
— Larissa Anderson (@CoachLarissaA) September 7, 2021
- Big congrats to women’s soccer, who got a big road win over Northern Colorado, 1-0. According to the Missourian’s Anthony Kristensen, the team’s goalie position is still to be decided, but goalkeeper Sophia Worth’s shutout might tilt the scales her way. Next up for the Tigers is a Saturday matchup against No. 22 ranked BYU in Utah. (More info at MUTigers.com)
The Tigers take the victory in Greeley! #TakeTheStairs ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/X3B0AXxVfJ
— Mizzou Soccer (@MizzouSoccer) September 10, 2021
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