There's not a ton to say about the game. As I wrote, the games are no longer the story.
Missouri lost because Tennessee is much better than Missouri. If you expected any result other than what you saw tonight, that's really on you. God bless your optimism I guess, but come on.
I do think it's noteworthy that a big reason Missouri lost was the Tennessee point guard play. Kennedy Chandler was excellent with 23 points (9-12 shooting), 8 rebounds and 6 assists. My pregame prediction on the radio of a triple-double for Chandler wasn't far off. Victor Bailey Jr. added 11 points. Missouri offered both very early in the process. So to simply say Cuonzo Martin can't identify talent is wrong. He obviously can. But way too many times over the years he's identified a guy early only to see more prestigious programs come in later and have Mizzou become an afterthought in the recruitment. How much of that is on Martin and how much is on Mizzou I have no idea. Kennedy Chandler isn't the only difference between these two teams by any means, but he's the most glaring. Of course, the rest of Tennessee's players are also better than the rest of Missouri's.
As for the rest, I asked the question that needed to be asked and you guys have wanted asked. And now we wait. The SEC Tournament starts in 15 days. For Missouri, it should be over in no more than 17. And then it's either #FlightTrackerSZN or some incredible message board vitriol.
Missouri lost because Tennessee is much better than Missouri. If you expected any result other than what you saw tonight, that's really on you. God bless your optimism I guess, but come on.
I do think it's noteworthy that a big reason Missouri lost was the Tennessee point guard play. Kennedy Chandler was excellent with 23 points (9-12 shooting), 8 rebounds and 6 assists. My pregame prediction on the radio of a triple-double for Chandler wasn't far off. Victor Bailey Jr. added 11 points. Missouri offered both very early in the process. So to simply say Cuonzo Martin can't identify talent is wrong. He obviously can. But way too many times over the years he's identified a guy early only to see more prestigious programs come in later and have Mizzou become an afterthought in the recruitment. How much of that is on Martin and how much is on Mizzou I have no idea. Kennedy Chandler isn't the only difference between these two teams by any means, but he's the most glaring. Of course, the rest of Tennessee's players are also better than the rest of Missouri's.
As for the rest, I asked the question that needed to be asked and you guys have wanted asked. And now we wait. The SEC Tournament starts in 15 days. For Missouri, it should be over in no more than 17. And then it's either #FlightTrackerSZN or some incredible message board vitriol.
