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BASKETBALL QUICK THOUGHTS ON MIZZOU VS. TENNESSEE AT THE HALF

-This feels like a good time to remind everyone that Tennessee is the No. 1 3-point defense in the country, holding opponents to below 30% shooting from beyond the arc. So calling what Mizzou has done today shoot-wise "impressive" is an understatement, especially on the road. It's legitimately jaw-dropping.

-Dennis Gates went to a lot more three-forward lineups and it's...actually worked? Being able to match the Vols' size (as best they could, anyway) really made a difference on the boards. Having that much length also helped picking up turnovers in the 1-3-1 zone. And the offense didn't really fall off, which would be your main concern with only two guards on the floor.

-I know I just wrote about Aidan Shaw not really needing to have that big of a role as a freshman for Mizzou to be good. But he's been a huge difference-maker for them today. Definitely not playing like a freshman (aside from that really dreadful looking 3-pointer).

-I said in the game thread that it's funny seeing 5-foot-10 Nick Honor have a size advantage over 5-foot-9 Zakai Zeigler. But Sean East is the one who's really taken advantage of it, on both ends. He's been their best player today

-Taking a big lead into the second half plays into Mizzou's favor -- Tennessee isn't necessarily built to play fast, but they'll need to put up points in a hurry to keep pace with the Tigers.
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BASKETBALL This article makes me absolutely giddy!


“The No. 1 thing I noticed … was that he’s the best rebounder I’ve ever seen in my life,” Morosco said.

Will anyone second that?

“He’s one of the best rebounders I’ve ever coached,” said Cole Dewey, Diarra’s first head coach at Garden City, “and that’s evident in his stats over the years.”

There are days Gates said he watches Diarra in practice and sees the best player on the court, and there are others when the MU coach sees a player who still needs to find some consistency.

“You all haven’t seen him play up to the potential that I have seen him play at,” Gates said. “You haven’t seen him dominate at the level I have seen him dominate, and I truly believe his best basketball is ahead of him.”

FOOTBALL ESPN+ - Returning Production

78% total returning (9th overall)
77% offense (25th)
80% defense (9th)

Also listed as one of the teams most likely to improve in 2023

“If Drinkwitz can finally figure out the quarterback position— 2022 starter Brady Cook returns, along with two recent blue-chippers (redshirt freshman Sam Horn and Miami transfer Jake Garcia) — the Tigers might have everything else they need for a nice step forward in 2023.”

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