Missouri basketball...

[joeD]

But what they got isn't enough. And, no, you don't absolutely HAVE to have a stud to be successful. I agree somewhat.. But it sure helps. Also, I've had season tickets to SLU for years. Make no mistake, Larry Hughes made a huge, positive impact. He was a marquee player that gave SLU a national audience. And energized a middling program to what it is today. Claggett and Highmark and Donnie Dobbs and H Waldman were all decent players. They did OK. Then came Larry Hughes. A stud player. Look what happened. No, not a national title, but a program that became desirable and an engaged fan base that was before, at best, mildly interested. 

The Final Four last year was Duke Kentucky Wisconsin and Notre Dame. No underdogs. No little engines that could. Those teams had studs. 

You need 'em. 

 

 

[BATCAB27]

1 hour ago, joeD said:

But what they got isn't enough. And, no, you don't absolutely HAVE to have a stud to be successful. I agree somewhat.. But it sure helps. Also, I've had season tickets to SLU for years. Make no mistake, Larry Hughes made a huge, positive impact. He was a marquee player that gave SLU a national audience. And energized a middling program to what it is today. Claggett and Highmark and Donnie Dobbs and H Waldman were all decent players. They did OK. Then came Larry Hughes. A stud player. Look what happened. No, not a national title, but a program that became desirable and an engaged fan base that was before, at best, mildly interested. 

The Final Four last year was Duke Kentucky Wisconsin and Notre Dame. No underdogs. No little engines that could. Those teams had studs. 

You need 'em. 

 

 

And Wisconsin was led by Frank Kaminsky, national player of the year.  3 star recruit out of IL.

[BATCAB27]

1 hour ago, joeD said:

But what they got isn't enough. And, no, you don't absolutely HAVE to have a stud to be successful. I agree somewhat.. But it sure helps. Also, I've had season tickets to SLU for years. Make no mistake, Larry Hughes made a huge, positive impact. He was a marquee player that gave SLU a national audience. And energized a middling program to what it is today. Claggett and Highmark and Donnie Dobbs and H Waldman were all decent players. They did OK. Then came Larry Hughes. A stud player. Look what happened. No, not a national title, but a program that became desirable and an engaged fan base that was before, at best, mildly interested. 

The Final Four last year was Duke Kentucky Wisconsin and Notre Dame. No underdogs. No little engines that could. Those teams had studs. 

You need 'em. 

 

 

Also, I believe it was Michigan ST in the final four last year, not NDame.  Speaking of MI St, I believe this is the kind of program Al is referring to.  Izzo doesn't get 1 and done players.  Mainly 3-4 star recruits that become studs after a few years in his program.  There's a reason they are always a tough out in the tournament.  Hopefully MU will give Kim the time he deserves to see what he can build.  

[Al Agnew]

Point is, SLU doesn't get Hughes without the Claggett-Highmark-Dobbs-Waldman team having some success before.  That was a fun team to watch.  They got the ball rolling, and GETTING Hughes was a whole lot bigger than the impact he had once he played.  If he hadn't been hurt much of that year, if he had stayed for another year or two, it might have KEPT the ball rolling, but he didn't, Spoon retired, and no other truly big name recruits came to SLU afterwards.  Hughes was one and done in more ways than one.  And then Majerus had to win with the same kind of no-name recruits that Spoon won with before him.

I would love to see Mizzou back to getting the kind of players they got during the Norm years, the Peelers and Chevous types that they always picked up.  Seems like there was always one stud on the team, a couple almost blue-chippers, and a couple of blue-collar types who were complimentary.  But they gotta have some success first, or else luck into a true son from Missouri who is a four or five star stud but always wanted to play for the home state team, like Lock in football.  Maybe Porter is that guy.

[joeD]

Yes, Porter is that guy. BTW, I agree with everything you say Al. I just like taking a differing position. It's sports for the love of Mike. Kind of a chicken or egg question anyway. 

Also, wouldn't it be nice if Locke had a stud receiver? 

[Al Agnew]

1 hour ago, joeD said:

Yes, Porter is that guy. BTW, I agree with everything you say Al. I just like taking a differing position. It's sports for the love of Mike. Kind of a chicken or egg question anyway. 

Also, wouldn't it be nice if Locke had a stud receiver? 

It would REALLY be nice if he had an effective offensive line.  

[joeD]

10-4. 

[Al Agnew]

Well, they looked pretty good last night.  Got a lead and kept it, weathered some great shooting by Wofford near the end of the game and held them off, hit clutch shots and free throws.  Wofford isn't peanuts, tournament team 4 out of the last 6 years.  Night and day difference from the first game last year!  

[Mark]

Kim Anderson can coach if he is given time to build his team. But college sports is more about recruiting now instead of Xs and Os. And he has to land a prized recruit like Michael Porter, Jr. to get other top Missouri HS players and beyond to follow him. Corey Tate will figure big in the next couple of years in recruiting. But being Kim is cut out of the Norm Stewart clothe, I believe he wants a nucleus of players from Missouri, and they can be found. I don't think Anderson will be given enough time.

[joeD]

It's a results environment now. Pressure to win immediately, or, at least, have a winning record and draw fans. Mizzou didn't look to shabby last night against a tough Xavier team, playing at home. Xavier is good, have a good coach, and a good early test for our Tigers. I was not disappointed by the loss. Actually, they were somewhat better than I expected. It will serve them well, knowing what to expect and how to perform against a good team in a "hostile" environment.

Pfft. I say that statement every year. Hope springs eternal as it is said...