Big YIKES.

That… was not good, y’all. A team, who, as Lauren wrote about in their preview, “…are currently last in the SEC in three-point shooting percentage, only converting 26.6% of their attempts” was unconscious from beyond the arc on Thursday night, making 14/27, or about 52%. Bowling Green grad transfer Caterrion Thompson was 7/12 alone. Missouri, for reference, only made 6 total, two of which came from Haley Troup. Honestly, it was like watching some sort of weird, bizarro universe.

And you know what, Rock M is truly sorry for their part in this catastrophe. We own up to it as a site. Because something incredibly eery has happened. By some weird twist of what can only be described as devil magic, every time Lauren writes in their preview about a team’s terrible three point shooting, Mizzou’s opponent is suddenly gifted with the superhuman ability to shoot the three-ball at an absurd level. It’s true. It happened during the A&M game, too, but Mizzou still pulled that one out.

If you’re looking answers beyond the MSU three-pointers, here’s the box score, courtesy of StatBroadcast. The Bulldogs led the entire game, and scored A LOT of points off of Mizzou’s 20 turnovers. AB, coming off the bench in this one, got her tenth straight double-double (and 16th of the season), but I don’t feel like some of the others (mainly, Frankie) took enough shots, Mama took perhaps too many, and Lo had a rather uncharacteristic shooting performance. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The Columbia Tribune’s Chris Kwiecinski wrote about several reasons that this particular loss was puzzling. Like, for instance, how this game was a complete role reversal for a team that normally is the hot three-point shooter. Some of the shots, Kwiecinski noted, “were open due to late closeouts or some rotational issues, but others were just shooter’s rolls. One of MSU’s shots hit iron, flew way up in the air and fell through the hoop.”

And how Missouri wasn’t outplayed or outmuscled by Mississippi State, but it was self-inflicted errors that sunk them, like those turnovers, as I mentioned earlier.

And how this game was proof Missouri can’t take anyone for granted, no matter the case. As Lauren wrote in their preview, MSU has had a rough, rough go in terms of personnel matters, losing players and coaches left and right. But, as CK wrote:

That was the same lesson that the Gamecocks learned in their loss to the Tigers: just because a team is short-handed doesn’t mean it’ll provide an easy win.

Mississippi State has the reputation of being a solid program. It’s one that was consistently playing for Final Fours and national championships. The Bulldogs played with that resolve Thursday.

That last part is so true. When I think of Mississippi State, I always think of those really great teams that always make it far in March. Their last two years haven’t really been up to par, but it doesn’t matter. They showed on Thursday night that they are a tough out no matter what.

You can find more about the game in Lauren’s takeaways, which will arrive on your screens sometime this afternoon.

SPECIAL NOTE: On the SEC Women’s Hoops front, Thursday was a WACKY day. Mizzou losing was nothing compared to these other happenings… Just a few hours after no. 4 Tennessee was announced as a 1-seed in the Wichita region of the first Top 16 committee rankings of the season, they lost to cellar dweller Auburn (8-10, 0-7), 71-61. And then — this actually made me cackle with delight as a noted Kim Mulkey despiser — Arkansas took down no. 12 LSU, 90-76. And Kentucky, who was very recently ranked in the AP poll, lost to Vandy (10-10, 1-5), 65-57.

ON TO THE LINKS! Best of luck to Mizzou Men’s Hoops at Iowa State tomorrow, to TigerStyle in Utah tomorrow, to Swim & Dive at South Carolina tomorrow, to Track at the Arkansas Invite today & tomorrow, and to Women’s Hoops, who’ll be Tuscaloosa on Sunday to face Alabama!

GO TIGERS!!!!

Personal news: A few things to share, actually! 1) I designed a shirt for 573 Tees that will be sold soon— can’t wait for y’all to see it, and 2) the MU advising job that vanished — stupid powers that be — last semester after four interviews and approx 165 hours spent talking to people, re-opened and had my first re-interview on Thursday!

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Yesterday at Rock M

• In a heavily-commented piece, Parker looked at the football unis and asked if Mizzou actually looked good.
• Sammy wrote about the addition of Ty’Ron Hooper, an impact linebacker transferring from the Gators.
• Aaron continued his one returner and one newcomer to watch series, this time focusing on the tight ends.
• In a new BTBS, Nate and BK chatted about transfers, new coaches, and the roster…Everything you need for an offseason football pod.
• Lauren previewed the Mississippi State matchup, and then also ran the Live Game Thread along with it.
• COMING UP: James previews TigerStyle’s triple dual against Utah Valley and Wyoming. Josh previews the ISU Big 12/SEC Match-up. And some other stuff.

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More Links:

Football

• Blake Baker officially became the Tigers’ new safeties coach, according to this post by the Trib’s Chris Kwiecinski. As a reminder, “Baker fills the vacancy on Missouri’s staff after safeties coach Charlie Harbison stepped away from his full-time coaching role to focus on health concerns within his family.”
• More Blake Baker hiring news: Blake Baker joins football coaching staff (MUTigers.com).

• Welcome, Ty’Ron Hopper! Check out the stories from a number of local media: Mizzou Tigers football team lands commitment from Florida Gators transfer linebacker (Lila Bromberg, KC Star). Mizzou hops back into the portal** (Gabe DeArmond, PowerMizzou). Tigers land another Hopper from transfer portal (Kyle Pinnell, Columbia Missourian)

**I’ll have you know, if you read my Weds links, you KNOW I made this joke first**

• Cool.

• Hahaha. But really…

• Mitchell Forde continued his position resets at PowerMizzou, and on Thursday he previewed Safety. In case you’ve missed them, here’s links to the other ones: Quarterback / Running Back / Wide Receiver / Tight End / Offensive Line / Defensive Tackle / Defensive End / Linebackers
• I am tremendously looking forward to this.

• Interesting, especially when you consider the schedule….

Hoops

• Women’s Recaps: Missouri outplayed in Starkville, ending two game winning streak (Shannon Mia Belt, Columbia Missourian). Mississippi State beats Missouri women’s basketball at its own game (Nate Marcus). Women’s Basketball falls to hot shooting MS State (MUTigers.com).
• Though Rock M’s own Josh Matejka will be providing us with a preview later, while you’re waiting, you can read Anthony Kristensen’s over at the Missourian. Kristensen would like to remind readers:

Missouri, while the results don’t necessarily show it, has improved in recent games. The Tigers have been better with shot selection and their defense has improved drastically. Coach Cuonzo Martin has said that this is the first MU team he’s had that didn’t come in with a set defensive identity, which could have led to some of the more lopsided defeats over the course of the season.

With that improvement, the Tigers held No. 1 Auburn to its season-low in points and stayed with the nation’s top-ranked team until the final buzzer. Missouri boasts wins over Ole Miss, SMU and previously ranked Alabama as its resume builders. While that isn’t as strong as Iowa State, there are tangible signs of improvement in this Missouri team that shouldn’t be ignored heading into another ranked matchup.

• ‘22 Hoops commit Averi Kroenke looks to be a very good ball player. She was honored before the game tonight for scoring her 1,000th point. The Rock Bridge Bruin was a big factor in their win over the Kewpies on Thursday night, and had 21 first half points.

Other Mizzou Sports

• Looks like Abby George is ending her softball career, according to a recent IG post (screenshot because I could not get the post to imbed). Best wishes to her. If you’re keeping track, Mizzou is down two vets now, but returns literally everyone else and some fresh new faces.

Abby George, instagram

• Track and Field is back in action this weekend, and heading to the Arkansas Invite, per the Missourian’s Kenny Van Doren. The meet will be broadcasted on SEC Network+ and live results will be posted to FlashResults. (More info at MUTigers.com)
• I believe that you need a subscription to read the article, but here’s a tidbit from Coach Bieser…

• And speaking of baseball, it looks like they’ve picked up another commit— GT Taylor. Welcome!

• The No. 10/18 Mizzou Swim and Dive teams travel to the “other” Columbia for their final dual meet of the season on Saturday at 10am EST. According to MUTigers.com, 10 Tigers have top-25 times in the nation.

On the men’s side, seniors Jack Dahlgren and Danny Kovac and junior Ben Patton all have posted top-10 times nationally. On the women’s team, seniors Megan Keil and Sarah Thompson both have recorded top-10 times.

• Three new wrestlers!

Mizzou in the NBA

• DRUUUUUUUUUU did not play in the SkyForce’s loss against the Spurs on Thursday night. NEXT UP: I actually can’t tell. Nothing appears to be scheduled for the foreseeable future?
• Tilly and the Magic were not in action since I last reported. NEXT UP: Tonight and Saturday at 6pm vs the Nets
• JC and the Fightin Quin Snyders faced off against the Suns on Wednesday night, and lost 105-97. In Jordan’s 31 minutes, he had 26 points on 9-19 shooting (6-12 from three) with 5 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 2 TO and 4 PF. He was +2 on the night. NEXT UP: Tonight at 7pm vs the Grizzlies (I LOVE Memphis. This is a Ja fan website)
• Per the AP’s Jay Cohen, a big congrats goes out to former Mizzou DC, Matt Eberflus, who was named the new head coach for the Chicago Bears on Thursday.
• Robby Kalland of UpRoxx talked with the Chicago Sky’s Kahleah Copper on a number of things, including “the infamous incident” with Sophie Cunningham. Great read.

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