Tuesday was a good day.

That head coach of ours, Dennis Gates, is off to a helluva start recruiting-wise, huh? We’ve got a long way to go to see how these moves work out on Norm Stewart Court, but you’ve got to like where this thing is headed. On Tuesday, the Tigers picked up their second 2023 commitment, in the form of Tulsa, Oklahoma wing Trent Pierce.

From Matt Harris’ commitment piece, who also spent a lot of time doing the Lord’s work and checking out all EYBL action this past weekend.

Here’s what Matt had to say about his junior year highlights:

As a junior, Pierce averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds at Union High School, operating primarily as a floor-spacing wing that could work to a one-dribble pull-up or thrive as a cutter. But his defensive profile is what offers the most intrigue. During conference play for Union, Pierce faced matchups like Parker Friedrichsen, a top-130 prospect, and David Castillo, a five-star prospect in 2024 who recently suited up for USA Basketball’s U17 roster. Both times, he had the agility to navigate ball screens, stay on the hip of each player when they acted as a driver, and use his length to force contested attempts.

During last weekend’s EYBL stop in Kansas City, Pierce’s jumper went wayward (3 of 20 from 3-point range), but he still posted a 37.5 percent clip from behind the arc this grassroots season. When it’s on target, that shot sets the floor for Pierce as a 3-and-D wing with room to grow attacking off the bounce.

According to Joe Tipton (On3 / @TiptonEdits):

“I chose Missouri because of Coach Gates and their staff,” Pierce said to On3. “I really connected well with the coaches on my visit and I like how Coach Gates emphasizes on working on the little things that would make a big impact on my game. They checked off every box that I was looking for in a school.”

You really love to see it.

And the sunshine and rainbows continued throughout the day, as The Athletic’s CJ Moore ($) covered the best of the EYBL tourney this weekend, and would have been remiss not to mention the contributions of another 2023 Mizzou commit, Anthony Robinson II. Here’s a little tidbit; you’ll need to subscribe to read the rest!

Robinson is one of the most complete guards in the EYBL. He’s got good size (listed at 6-4) and he can both score and distribute…

And finally, to round out this most blessed day of hoops news, a super super super early Joe Lunardi Bracketology where our fair Missouri Tigers find themselves — shockingly — among the first four teams out. We’re on Bubble Watch!!!! (I kid)

Like I said to start this thing, there hasn’t even been any games at Mizzou Arena, but the Dennis Gates era is off to a mighty fine start.

NOTE: All this goes to say, boys and girls, I am STILL the no. 1 member of the Cuonzo Martin Fan Club. Don’t ever forget that.

On to the Links!

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Yesterday at Rock M

• Nate’s previews continue, and this time he’s wrapping up all the previews.
• Matthew J Harris broke the commitment news right as it came out. How’d he do that?!?
• IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The football crew (BK, Josh, Kortay and Parker) chatted about the QB battle and new running backs, which headline Mizzou Football’s preseason camp, while Sam tried to figure out the 2022-23 hoops rotation.

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More Links:

Hoops

• Trent Pierce commitment round up: Chris Kwiecinski (Columbia Tribune) | Nathan Han (KC Star) | Carter Chapley (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) | Gabe DeArmond (PowerMizzou) | Max Baker (Columbia Missourian)
• PowerMizzou’s Summer Sessions interviews with the team continued: Tre Gomillion | Aidan Shaw | Ronnie DeGray III
• While the Tigers locked in their new commit, Coach CY was in NC teaching his peers about point guards.

• Mama and her Spanish team have advanced to the quarterfinals of the FIBA U20 Championships!

Football

• USA Today Network (via the Columbia Tribune) has been putting to get SEC best lists. Check them out: defensive linemen | linebackers | offensive linemen | tight ends | running backs | quarterbacks
• USA Today Network’s Blake Toppmeyer (via the Columbia Tribune) envisioned what a 20-team future for SEC football could look like.
• This is nice.

• Mizzou has announced their reps for the SEC Media Days in a super cool graphic. Congrats to super senior WR Barrett Banister, senior DB Martez Manuel, and senior DL Isaiah McGuire!

Mizzou in the Pros/Former Tigers

• Jontay (Nuggets)

Sunday vs Cavs: 1 minute | no stats

Friday vs MINN: 14 min (start) | 6 pts | 2-5 FG | 2-4 3PT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 1 TO | 2 PF | -9

• Jeremiah (Magic) :

Monday vs. OKC : 12 min | 8 pts | 3-3 FG | 2-4 FT | 2 REB | 1 STL | 4 PF | +11

Sat v. SAC: 2 min | 2 PF | -2

• Dru (Heat): still hasn’t played. There really was confirmation that he had joined Miami’s summer league roster (5 days ago, via this tweet)

• GO OFF, SOPH!! Our girl was amazing in her first game back after the ASB, despite the loss. The Associated Press (via the Missourian) wrote, Former Tiger Cunningham’s 36 not enough as Lynx top Mercury 118-107 in double OT. In her 47 min (2nd highest on PHX), she was 13-20 (6-11 from three, 4-5 FT) shooting with 3 OREB, 4 DREB (7 total), 2 AST, 5(!!!!!) STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, and 4 PF. She was -11. How?!? But really…. How.

• Per the AP staff reports (via the Missourian), Tiger great Mighty Mad Max Scherzer was great for the Mets in Monday night’s game.
• Dr. Scotta Morton, my fave former Director of Mental Performance at Mizzou, has opened her own practice in CoMo! So happy for her!

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