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What's On
Missouri wins the 2006 Malibu Regional.
(Remember when everything wasn't cataloged on YouTube in perfect clarity and from six different angles?)
I post this because my guess is it will officially be Tim Jamieson's final NCAA regional title. Missouri officially missed the NCAA regionals yesterday. Jamieson's contract is up, and while there is a persuasive case for him getting a new contract, I have to figure the odds are good that Mack Rhoades decides to start over.
This isn't entirely fair. If Rhoades does choose to move on, the next guy in charge will likely receive a level of financial and administrative support that Jamieson never did. There's no feeling of justice in that. But that's how coaching works sometimes. Luck and timing are as important as skill.
Jamieson has put in 21 years here, and if he is indeed to leave, he's leaving the cupboard far more stocked than we feared it was about four months ago. Mizzou had a hell of a bounce-back year in 2015 and was given a major jolt by an awesome freshman class. But the young Tigers faded just enough late, and dropped just enough midweek games, to keep them out of the draw.
The blip that occurred in the ninth inning against Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament may have been the single most costly moment of the season. Win that, and you maybe go from second-team-out to last-team-in.
The Trib: Missouri not selected for NCAA regional
Climbing as high as No. 14 in the Baseball America poll, Missouri went 15-15 and finished seventh in the top-rated conference in the nation. The Tigers posted five wins against top-10-ranked opponents and won six of their 10 SEC series.
But Missouri went 4-7 in midweek games and its RPI never recovered from a three-game sweep at the hands of Milwaukee in the home-opening weekend. The Tigers also lost 12 of their final 15 regular-season games. Seven of those losses were road games at LSU, Vanderbilt and Missouri State, three of the top eight teams in the final Baseball America poll.
The Tigers had a chance to boost their résumé at the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Ala. After winning a play-in game against South Carolina, the Tigers led Vanderbilt in the sixth inning of the second-round game. The Commodores won on a home run in the 10th inning. An elimination-game loss to Alabama was likely the final blow.
Post-Dispatch: Late slide keeps MU out of NCAA baseball tourney
MU’s failure to make the tournament is underscored by the first major coaching decision for new athletics director Mack Rhoades: Longtime baseball coach Tim Jamieson’s contract expires June 30. Rhoades said last month he planned to meet with Jamieson in May to discuss the future of the program and at the time hadn’t decided which direction he’d take with that position.
Jamieson is 672-535-2 in 21 seasons at Mizzou. The baseball program at Rhoades’ former school, Houston, was chosen as one of 16 regional hosts.
"Any time you get at those points where you’re on the bubble and considering a number of teams, the one thing that has struck me is that this compressed so much," Dave Heeke, the NCAA Division I baseball committee chairman said on ESPNU’s selection show. "Our coaches are listening. Our programs are listening. The fine lines that are drawn make it very, very difficult. Teams are very similar, but when we scrub it down we look for those teams that show some performance metrics on the field in a deserving fashion to be in the field.""
PowerMizzou: Eyes turn to Mizzou baseball future
Whether or not Jamieson returns, the future should be bright for Missouri baseball. The Tigers' freshman class is filled with talented hitters in Shane Benes and all-SEC Tournament selection Trey Harris, as well as a bona fide ace in Tanner Houck. In addition, people around the program have said this was the most happy and relaxed they'd seen Jamieson with his team.
Had Missouri won its final regular season game and made the NCAA Tournament, talks of Jamieson's future would be put on hold for the chance to watch this young team fight for at least a few more games. The Tigers won't get that chance, though. It remains to be seen if Jamieson is out of chances as well.
We're guessing that Mack Rhoades chooses to bring in a new coach, but be it a new guy or Jamieson, it comes down to program support.
— Rock M Nation (@rockmnation) May 25, 2015
And we mean that in two ways: 1. Support from the AD. 2. Support from fans. Hasn't been enough of 2 to justify 1, and vice versa.
— Rock M Nation (@rockmnation) May 25, 2015
If Rhoades chooses to go all-in and invest in baseball at an SEC level, it's a total leap of faith that fans would then do the same.
— Rock M Nation (@rockmnation) May 25, 2015
Good point. If that's the choice, need to hope for lightning in a bottle that will attract fans. Earleywine model https://t.co/f3HYdSk0VA
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) May 25, 2015
I'd be surprised by a quick decision this week on Tim Jamieson's future at Mizzou. Hearing he'll meet with AD Mack Rhoades this weekend.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) May 26, 2015
Picture it: @MizzouBaseball offers the top 12 MO players full in-state scholly & rounds out the roster w/11.7 full rides to elite recruits
— TR Robertson (@trripleplay) May 25, 2015
That's what several SEC opponents are able to do
— TR Robertson (@trripleplay) May 25, 2015
Quick poll question for #Mizzou fans, based on that last retweet: Do you want to see Tim Jamieson gone or see him get another year?
— Brandon Larrabee (@TeamSpeedKills) May 26, 2015
Hey, speaking of freshmen...
MUTIGERS.COM: Mizzou's Trey Harris Lands on SEC All-Tournament Team
A welcome sight
Flying home to Missouri with our girl @tori_finucane5. She's in one piece and all smiles! #MIZ pic.twitter.com/3nLCmgjU3z
— Mizzou Softball (@MizzouSoftball) May 25, 2015
WHATNOT
Track & Field at the NCAAs
The Trib: MU's triple-jump triumvirate aims to make a splash in the postseason
MUTIGERS.COM: Courtney Wood Recognized on SEC Community Service Team
Volleyball NERRRRDS
MUTIGERS.COM: Tigers Enjoy Record Setting Success In The Classroom