Join Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter for his live chat at 11 a.m. Thursday
Bring your Tigers football, basketball and recruiting questions, and talk to Dave Matter in a live chat at 11 a.m. Thursday.
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Mizzou loads up on ready-made offensive playmakers
STLtoday.com: Highlighted by five-star receiver Luther Burden, Eli Drinkwitz's 2022 recruiting class includes some much-needed offensive skill players who could produce immediately. -
Mizzou's Drinkwitz says teams have one choice in age of NIL: 'Adapt or die'
STLtoday.com: Missouri coach challenges fans, state businesses to join forces in helping Tigers in college sport's new model of name, image, likeness. -
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QB situation is still a big IF. And we need to see how this defense handles a full offseason in the same system under the same coordinator. Was the late-season progress a mirage - or is that what Mizzou fans should expect for 2022? How quickly can some of these newcomers on offense learn the system and figure out how to make plays at this level? But ... QB situation is going to be the thing that keeps me skeptical that this program can get beyond the .500 mark. I got burned this year thinking Mizzou could win eight games .... so it's natural to be a more hesitant to just assume all the issues are fixed going forward
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Not trying to be negative but I see very little chance of Mizzou mens basketball winning many games if any. I just dont see were Mizzou comes up with 6 million dollars and then pay a new coach. Martin has been to the tourney twice so the financial responsible things seems to give him another year to see if the program can become competitive.
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I'm not sure $6 million will just magically appear. Coaching buyouts typically come out of the annual budget - and Mizzou has operated at a budget deficit for five years straight. And it's not like the football and basketball programs are flush with cash with the dwindling crowds we've seen pre- and post-COVID. There are financial concerns.
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I imagine his senior season will be the determining factor, but is there any early indication of how high Horn will be drafted in baseball? Is he projecting as an early round pick at a spot where he could realistically go right to the minors after high school and give up on college?
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I've gone through a few baseball scouting lists and he's not mentioned as a top 100 prospect quite yet. But obviously that can change with a strong senior year. I think what's more relevant right now is that he's absolutely open to the idea of signing professionally to play baseball. It was something I wanted to talk about in our interview earlier this week, but I thought it was interesting that HE brought up the chance that he'll have a big decision to make based on the mlb draft before I mentioned it.If anything he could have leverage - both ways. He can tell mlb teams that he has a great opportunity to play football in the SEC, which could enhance his draft position. If a baseball organization really wants him they'll have to draft him high enough so that he's assured of a higher payday in the salary structure. On the flip side, if donors/local businesses in Missouri understand that he has the baseball option, he could leverage that into more NIL money at Mizzou. He wins either way. Interesting times for the elite athletes with these kind of options.
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Any team that really wanted Horn to play football was going to have to be cooperative with the baseball piece of the puzzle. Drinkwitz made it clear he will allow him to pursue both dreams. I don't know how far down the road those discussions went with other teams.As for freshmen starting in 2022, Burden will clearly have a chance to play a lot early, especially in the return game. Tavorus Jones at running back could see the field early. Maybe Marquis Gracial along the D-line. I'm always hesitant in saying any freshman O-lineman could play, but the coaches have described Armand Membou as being physically readymade to play in the SEC.
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Good question. I don't think he'll just stop playing him completely. It's not like they have another big man who can play 30 minutes a game. And I don't think it's in their best interest to play Kobe Brown at the five the entire game. Yaya Keita could get more minutes going forward.
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I don't know the exact number and it's not something Mizzou discloses. Drinkwitz expects more transfers and possibly some seniors to elect to return for 2022, so the team doesn't necessarily have an exact number either. They'll lean into the transfer portal for the rest of the 2022 class and monitor any unsigned high school seniors.
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Army has a good football team and they do something Mizzou has problems stopping. While disciplined, does Army have the athletes, speed and size to matchup with Missouri? While I am sure the Tigers will have cracks defensively and allow the Cadets to score, can their defense handle our size and athleticism?
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I don't see a lot of dynamic athletes on missouri's defense so I'm not convinced there will be a major gap in talent between the two teams. How any NFL players will be on the field for missouri's defense? The only defensive player invited to the Senior Bowl isn't playing in the bowl game. Wisconsin led the nation in total defense and gave up a season-high 179 rushing yards to Army in a game the Badgers won only 20-14. That's not a prolific day by Army's standards - but the Black Knights ran it 50 times to keep control of the ball and limit Wisconsin's possessions. But the Badgers actually won the time of possession by about a minute, so they essentially beat Army at its own game. The Tigers will have their hands full with the Army offense. I haven't made a prediction yet but it's a difficult matchup for Wilks' defense
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Good morning Dave,
In my opinion, the last thing in the world the basketball program needs is another 'regime' change. In order to avoid this, I believe Coach needs to focus on the current set of incoming freshman player's development. This equates to a lot more PT in-game action. Sort of like on-the-job training. If this occurs, by February wins will be posted. Talk to me. -
I think there's value in giving more minutes to the freshmen. I've been impressed with Brazile for sure. Durugordon is in attack mode every time he's on the floor. Brookshire needs more time if he's ever going to develop into a full-time point guard. I suspect we'll see their roles expand going forward.
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Hi Dave
Thanks again for the great job you do covering the Tigers.
I thought Drink had 17 commits. I understand DeShaun Woods the 4 star OL from Neb didn't sign with anyone so we still have a chance at him. Who's the other one who didn't sign or am I wrong about having 17 commits.
Secondly, how serious is it for Sam Horn to sign a pro baseball contract. That would be a big blow to this class.
Thanks
Larry -
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Mizzou had 15 commitments with Deshawn Woods. He didn't sign, but the class added DJ Wesolak on Wednesday, putting the number back at 15.Drinkwitz said on SEC Network yesterday morning they hoped to sign 16 or 17 by the end of the day, but a few targets picked other schools.As for Horn, I can't add much to the topic than what I've already said. The staff is surely aware of his MLB prospects. Horn is aware. Again, don't ignore the leverage aspect to all of this.
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Dave, hi! Mizzou has been blessed to have an outstanding group of media members, from both sides of the state & Columbia, cover them for the last several years. You would certainly be at the top of that list and us fans are often guilty of taking all of you for granted for the terrific job you do covering the school we love.
One person I would like to give a special shout out to is the KC Star’s Blair Kerkhoff. He has always been a true gentleman and a joy to follow, whether it be in print, radio, or podcasts. Just a great, knowledgeable, passionate guy on all things Mizzou & KC area sports. I want to let him know we’re all thinking about him and wishing him a full & speedy recovery. Thanks for allowing me to do so in this blog. Back to Mizzou stuff … -
Thank you, Randy, for mentioning Blair. I meant to lead off today's chat with a salute to Blair.If you missed the news this morning, the great Kansas City Star columnist has been in hospitalized with a rare form of leukemia and will be sidelined for a while. I thought it was odd not seeing Blair at the Border War game on Saturday, but it sees not a lot of people knew about his diagnosis at that point. He's one of the most professional, versatile reporters/writers/columnists I've ever known - and just an incredibly warm and thoughtful person. Here's hoping he has a full recovery.
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Yes. Drinkwitz was asked directly what they're looking to add and the only position he mentioned was tight end. They've offered some defensive backs, too. It really comes down to who becomes available. I don't think they'll jump on any and everyone who enters the portal.
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