Column:

Bringing basketball back to MU

By Mark Levitt

Published Nov. 6, 2008

Remember the sport with the orange ball and 10-foot-high hoops? The one with athletes shaped like beanstalks? Thursday marked the first exhibition game of the 2008-2009 men's basketball season. It's a year to look forward to, but the problem is nobody's looking. The University of Missouri used to be a basketball school. In the 25 seasons from 1979 to 2004, the men's basketball team had a winning record in 24 of them. Students and alumni packed the Hearnes Center against opponents wearing letters other than just KU. Unfortunately, times have changed. It's as if the football team's recent success has led a case of basketball amnesia for MU fans. The average attendance at Mizzou Arena during the 2007-2008 basketball season was 8,060 fans. Contrast that to the 10,775 people the Tigers usually played in front of on the road. Pathetic. The good news is that, just like the football program, Missouri basketball can be brought back. The new, exciting relationship we have with Gary Pinkel, Chase Daniel and the gang does not need to be an exclusive one. We can have love affairs with both teams without looking over our shoulders. How often can you date multiple people without it being considered cheating? Take advantage of the rare opportunity. There are people who believe that coach Mike Anderson leads an inept squad that is not worth their time. There are also people who root for the Chicago Cubs. Not everybody can always be right. As tough as last season was with the off-court issues, the team was not nearly as bad as some may think. They finished 16-16 with eight of the losses by six or fewer points. And while attendance at most home games lacked, the action on the court was full of excitement. The Tigers went 13-4 at home. The four losses were to Kansas by six, Nebraska by four, Texas A&M by eight and Oklahoma State by two - close match-ups against more-than-respectable opponents. This season can only improve. Anderson brings in his first full recruiting class. Marcus Denmon leads a group of six newcomers who will introduce the rest of the Big 12 to the real "40 Minutes of Hell" by the time they leave campus. Gone are the legal issues. Gone are the distractions. Gone are the low expectations. Gone are the excuses not to attend games.
Another problem: If you don't go watch the team play, you lose all rights to complain about how bad the program or the coach is. It took Pinkel six years to right the gridiron ship in Columbia. Mike Anderson is starting his third. If people truly want to help they should show up at the games. The more students and fans there are in general, the more energy the team has.
As far as recruiting, high school athletes will be much more inclined to play here if it appears the school cares about basketball. I have attended some non-conference match-ups that drew fewer students than Division III Washington University in St. Louis. Embarrassing. Why would seniors sign?
I have full confidence that Mike Anderson will bring basketball back to Columbia. Will you be there when he does?