Column:
Missouri musings
Published Dec. 14, 2009
So here's the thing. There's a lot going on that pertains to Missouri right now but nothing really I could write a whole column about. Or, at least I'm not creative enough to do a whole column on one thing. Instead, I will cover all points I can.
Update from my previous column: Kansas just hired former Buffalo coach Turner Gill. He's the first black coach in KU's history, which is a good thing. The problem is he sucks. He's just not good. Except for a shocking upset of No. 12 Ball State last year, he's done nothing. He's 20-30 in four seasons. Maybe Kansas hired him because he's played Missouri, something none of the other candidates can boast. Nevermind the fact we doubled them up 42-21 last season.
To me, it seems like they could have landed better. Then again, who wants to take the job at Kansas? It had to have been a short list.
What is it with the Tigers getting shafted in bowl games? You can't honestly tell me a 6-6 Iowa State team that lost to an 8-4 Missouri team that averaged nearly 18,000 more fans per game than the Cyclones is a better draw than the Tigers. Ridiculous. Just more evidence for a college football playoff, which is becoming more and more like that pony you wanted for 18 straight Christmases and never got it. It's sad really.
Speaking of the college football playoffs, a bill is going through a committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, aiming to disband the "cartel" that is the BCS and ban any "national championship game" that isn't through a playoff bracket.
If this is the only attempt to knock those BCS officials off their cash cow, I'm all for it. Just don't be surprised if you don't see this for a few years. It's got to take a back seat to things with a little more importance: health care, wars and all that good stuff. But hey, good things take time. So be patient.
Does anybody else think senior wide receiver Danario Alexander would be great on the Kansas City Chiefs, with their attempt to be the "wizards of the wide receiver waiver-wire," (how about that alliteration, English) or the St. Louis Rams, who have about as much depth as a "Jersey Shore" guido (worst show ever) in their wideout corps?
You should definitely go see the Missouri wrestling team. There's a couple of guys that are the front-runners for national champion titles, namely two-time All-American junior Max Askren (brother of Ben Askren, All-American, Olympian and all-around badass) senior Nick Marable, another repeat All-American, and junior Todd Schavrien, who has a couple gold medals already this year. Oh, and don't forget heavyweight sophomore Dom Bradley. He takes up half the mat, so he's hard to miss.
Finally, let's talk about the Missouri men's basketball team. When they shoot well, oh my momma, oh my hood, they look good. But if they're off by just a little bit, everything seems to go wrong. If there's a silver lining, it's the Tigers are very good at bouncing back after losses. The problem comes when they make a habit out of it.
It's apparent sophomore guard Kim English is the future of Tiger basketball. He's got the shot to ignite the crowd and bury opponents. Too bad it only shows up half the time.
Missouri will be fine. Its just got to hit its groove.
