The Big XII tournament's in town.

The Tigers will come into Kansas City at beautiful Sprint Arena this week staggering after closing the regular season with 3 losses.  I'd normally say it's a new season starting and Missouri can still get some big things done this year, but I have no confidence that will actually happen.  Something's wrong with the team and I'll be damned if I know what it is.  I believe there's plenty of talent and Mike Anderson has a history of getting his teams to peak at tournament time.  Who knows, in 3 weeks the Missouri may be sitting in the sweet 16 and I'll feel like an idiot.  God knows it wouldn't be the first time.  For this to happen, there are going to have to be some things that happen.  I imagine these are obvious to all of you but that's never stopped me from writing about something before and I'll not let it stop me now.

Big men gotta get after it.  Laurence Bowers has been playing well as of late but he's got to get some help.  Steve Moore is usually good for 8 minutes a game or so and 3 or 4 really memorable fouls.  We need him to keep giving out some quality time to give our starters a breather.  Grab a couple of rebounds and wear down the opposition big men and that's all we need.  Ricardo Ratliff is talented but tends to get frustrated sometimes when he's not getting the ball.  I understand but he's just got to keep moving, keep working and stay positive and out of foul trouble.  Justin Safford needs to play within himself and not try to do too much.  Quit taking the 3 ball Justin.

Guards gotta keep their man.  Too many open looks this year.  We were spoiled by JT Tiller and Zaire Taylor the last 2 season.  They were like flies on a bull's butt.  Just irritating as hell.  We've got to quit losing our guys.  On the offensive end I'd like to see more drive and dish and less settling for the 3 point jumper.  Unless you're Marcus Denmon, in which case, don't be shy, shoot more.
The Tigers open Wednesday night at 8:30 against Texas Tech.  Should they win they'll meet up with 3rd seed Texas A&M on Thursday.  I believe the Tigers are already firmly in the NCAA tournament but I'd really like to see them win at least on in KC.  If you're in the area, or even if you're not, it would be nice to see a large Missouri crowd out making some noise.  After the game we can head over to Power & Light.  The first one's on me.

One for the road.

The Tigers finally got to enjoy a trip home following a road game after their 76-70 win over Iowa State Saturday.  The Tigers raised their record to 21-6 overall and 7-5 in conference by beating the out manned Cyclones.  However it wasn't easy, as it never has been this year for Mizzou away from the home court.  Marcus Denmon went for 25 points and Laurence Bowers added 16, but it took 4 free throws from Michael Dixon in the last 24 seconds to ice the victory.   Combined with an inexplicable loss at home by Baylor to Texas Tech the Tigers moved into the top 4 of the conference standings, and hopefully a 1st round bye in the tournament in Kansas City.   Following a Wednesday night game at home vs the Bears the Tigers take road trips to Kansas State and Nebraska before closing out the regular season at home against the jayhawks of kansas.

Ricardo Ratliffe pulled down 10 rebounds for Mizzou and is becoming the inside presence that they've lacked since the graduations of Leo Lyons and DeMarre Carroll 2 years ago.  They're still giving up too many open looks and having lots of problems when going up against teams with talented front lines.  But the important thing for the Tigers is getting a good draw for the dance is important.  It's a whole new season when the tournament begins and the Tigers with a few breaks are the kind of team that could get on a roll.  If they're able to hold serve at home and could steal one more road win they could be in line for a top 4 seed if they could win a couple of games in the conference tournament.  Heady thoughts after that conference season opener in Boulder.

kansas and Texas still look to be the class of the league, although both have stumbled the last week, especially the Longhorns yesterday, dropping their first conference game to the Cornhuskers in Lincoln.  I have to admit that I'm pulling for Texas since I just can't stand the thought of the beaks winning their umpteenth consecutive conference title.  I know that sounds petty, and it probably is, but the last couple of football seasons have been pretty rough on them, and well, what's the good of getting someone down if you can't kick them while they're laying there.    Hope things are going well for you and we'll see what the week brings.
     

Missouri basketball. Disappointing season or ready for a run?

I don't think that anyone, regardless of how big a homer they are can say the basketball season hasn't been something of a disappointment so far this year.   Picked in the pre season top 10, the Tigers have struggled away from Mizzou arena currently sitting at 19-6 and 5-5 in the Big XII conference without a single conference win coming away from the "Dutch Oven".   However, one thing we've seen from Mike Anderson's teams, unlike previous coach Quin Snyder is the teams actually seem to get better as the season goes along.  It's going to be critical for the Tigers to hit their stride as the season wears down.  Unlike others, I think Mizzou is pretty much a lock for the NCAA tournament, barring a complete meltdown.  But the better the record the higher the seed they can get at the dance.  Another thing we've come to expect is how difficult it is for teams to prepare for their style when it's just something they don't see much of during the regular season.  That seems to be especially true on the 2nd game of the weekend when their opponents may be a little tired from the earlier match up.

Everyone needs to step up, but our guard play has been giving up too many open looks, especially from outside the perimeter.  We didn't realize how hard it was going to be to replace guys like JT Tiller and Zaire Taylor and their defense.  Fortunately, with guys like Mike Dixon, Marcus Denmon, the brothers Pressey and Kim English, there's plenty of talent.  Laurence Bowers seems to be regaining confidence since his concussion and is certainly needed to help Ricardo Ratliff some help down low.  It would have been great to have had Tony Mitchell to this group, but the NCAA, in it's usual efficient manner, held off making a decision until the start of the second semester, virtually stalling his attempt to make it to college.  He fortunately was able to sign with North Texas.  I wish him well.

The schedule plays out pretty well for Mizzou going down the stretch.  Texas Tech comes to town Tuesday night.  The remaining road schedule, while certainly couldn't be called easy, does ease up a bit with trips to Iowa State, K State and Nebraska.  Steal a couple of these game and hold serve at home, which won't be easy with kansas still coming to town, and they have an excellent chance of a first day bye at the Big XII tournament being held at the Sprint Center in Kansas City again this year.  Win at least a game there and you should be looking at a top 4 or 5 seed and a favorable destination the opening weekend of the tournament.  But it all starts this week when the Red Raiders come to town.  If you can make it, I urge you to come out and watch them tonight.  There's only two more chances after tonight to watch them before next November.  And once again, if you're a Tigers fan, I urge you to take a look at the book featured below.  "True Sons: A Century of Missouri Tigers Basketball".  It's just excellent.