This used to be my very favorite sporting event of the year. I looked forward to it from Thanksgiving on. I watched every single year on TV.
The 93 game I was supposed to call a friend to do something, never made the call due to triple OT. I worked the game in college a couple times and went out with friends after who had to cash in my chips at the boat because I wasn't old enough to be there (thanks Scott Williams for looking enough like me that people thought I was 21). I discovered the Harpos Hammer after Braggin Rights one year.
In 1999, I came back from South Dakota for Christmas break, drove to St Louis with a friend and went to the game as a fan for the only time in my life while my dad covered it. Couldn't tell you who won that one but it was a hell of a good time.
From 2003 to 2014 I think I covered every one (may have missed one due to a bowl trip or weather). And it was losing a little luster but I still loved it. It was an event.
National guys would come in to cover this game. Dickie V was there sometimes. One of my favorite years was when I was seated next to Pat Forde for this game. This game mattered. Not just in St Louis and Columbia and Champaign, but all over the college basketball world.
So many great players and great games in this series from Smith/Peeler vs Battle/Anderson to Paulding and AJ vs Deron Williams and Dee Brown to English and Denmon vs Brandon Paul.
Last year, weather was dicey so I stayed home. In the past, I would have walked through the snow to STL to cover it but it just wasn't worth it last year.
Now we are here and honestly most people probably don't even know this game is happening. I saw they have sold 12000 tickets. That's a little over 50% capacity. Illinois shares in the blame for this too, but Mizzou deserves more of it.
I will be there tonight. I go with no expectations and little anticipation. More than any other game, this one makes me sad about where things are at. I want this game to be an event. Mizzou basketball is more fun when it is. Illinois basketball is more fun when it is. College basketball is better when it is.
Some day, this thing is going to come back. I sure hope it happens soon. Sorry to be depressing, I am sure some will be mad and accuse me of piling on. Just wanted to share my thoughts.
The 93 game I was supposed to call a friend to do something, never made the call due to triple OT. I worked the game in college a couple times and went out with friends after who had to cash in my chips at the boat because I wasn't old enough to be there (thanks Scott Williams for looking enough like me that people thought I was 21). I discovered the Harpos Hammer after Braggin Rights one year.
In 1999, I came back from South Dakota for Christmas break, drove to St Louis with a friend and went to the game as a fan for the only time in my life while my dad covered it. Couldn't tell you who won that one but it was a hell of a good time.
From 2003 to 2014 I think I covered every one (may have missed one due to a bowl trip or weather). And it was losing a little luster but I still loved it. It was an event.
National guys would come in to cover this game. Dickie V was there sometimes. One of my favorite years was when I was seated next to Pat Forde for this game. This game mattered. Not just in St Louis and Columbia and Champaign, but all over the college basketball world.
So many great players and great games in this series from Smith/Peeler vs Battle/Anderson to Paulding and AJ vs Deron Williams and Dee Brown to English and Denmon vs Brandon Paul.
Last year, weather was dicey so I stayed home. In the past, I would have walked through the snow to STL to cover it but it just wasn't worth it last year.
Now we are here and honestly most people probably don't even know this game is happening. I saw they have sold 12000 tickets. That's a little over 50% capacity. Illinois shares in the blame for this too, but Mizzou deserves more of it.
I will be there tonight. I go with no expectations and little anticipation. More than any other game, this one makes me sad about where things are at. I want this game to be an event. Mizzou basketball is more fun when it is. Illinois basketball is more fun when it is. College basketball is better when it is.
Some day, this thing is going to come back. I sure hope it happens soon. Sorry to be depressing, I am sure some will be mad and accuse me of piling on. Just wanted to share my thoughts.
