Mizzou Basketball’s Missouri Problem

First and foremost, I am a fan of All Things Missouri. I love everything about the state. That’s why I write so many history books and blog articles. But I get asked often about why I am so cynical about Mizzou basketball these days (BTW, I picked Drake over Missouri in March Madness). It’s certainly not new. In fact, I have felt disconnected to the program for about two decades. I guess it goes back to a historical issue that I can’t quite pinpoint.

But one thing I do know is that it is hard to root for our flagship university when not one of the players on the team is actually from Missouri… again.

When I was growing up and playing high school hoops in mid-Missouri, the only team we wanted to play for was the Missouri Tigers. Guys like Anthony Peeler (KC Paseo), Jevon Crudup (Raytown South), Steve Stipanovich (DeSmet), Jon Sundvold (Blue Springs), John Brown (Dixon), Norm Stewart (Shelbyville), and others, were not only in a Tigers’ uniform, but they played on courts across Missouri their entire childhood. I felt like I could relate to them. I felt a connection to them because they took the same long bus rides we all took to random tournaments across the state.

Read: The best basketball players that grew up in Missouri.

If you were from Missouri and played at Mizzou, you were an automatic legend. Just think about Brady Cook (Chaminade) and his legacy these past few years. Now, it is either a case of the Mizzou basketball coaches not recruiting our local talent — or our high school stars thinking it’s not worth their time to play for Ole Mizzou.

Mr. Show Me Basketball Legacy

Mr. Show Me Basketball is the award given to the top male high school basketball player in Missouri annually. And we have had some real stars lately. Jayson Tatum (Chaminade), Bradley Beal (Chaminade), Tyler Hansbrough (Poplar Bluff), and David Lee (Chaminade) have won it over the past few decades. All of them made it to the NBA, but not one of those players chose to play at Mizzou. In fact, the last Mr. Show Me that went straight to Mizzou after high school was Ricky Kreklow (Rock Bridge) in 2010. That is 15 years of our stars choosing somewhere else. A few players came to Mizzou as upper-classmen, but they thought they had better opportunities elsewhere first. At least we did get Michael Porter Junior for a couple of minutes of greatness a few years ago, but that’s a different story.

Drake and Missouri Connections

Watching the NCAA Tournament again this year, I find myself scouring rosters from across the country to see where our Missouri stars are playing. It didn’t take long to find a bunch as Drake beat Missouri in yet another upset in the first round for the Tigers. But Drake had an interesting twist. The coach spent the better part of his career at Northwest Missouri State where he led the to four NCAA Division II National Championships. His top players are mostly from Missouri, even though Drake University is in Iowa. Here is his rosters of locals:

• Cam Manyawu (KC Staley)
• Isaiah Jackson (Independence William Chrisman)
• Kael Combs (Nixa High)
• Bennett Stirtz (Liberty High)
• Isaia Howard (Plattsburg High)
• Daniel Abreu (Willard High)

Now that looks like a team from Missouri! Sure, the argument is that they were talented enough coming out of high school to land a spot with an SEC team. Maybe, but history and bragging rights will certainly be on their side forever.

Missouri Players Playing Elsewhere

As I write this article, I just watched Kyan Evans (KC Staley) score 23 points to lead Colorado State over Memphis. I had no interest in the game until I heard his name again. So I watched and rooted for the Rams.

The same goes for the Oklahoma game Friday night against U-Conn. I want to see how Luke Northweather (Blair Oaks) fares in the Dance. I hate the Sooners, but I’m a fan this March Madness.

Ditto for Arizona as they take on Akron. I want to watch how Caleb Love (CBC) shoots the ball for the Wildcats after his great early career at North Carolina.

And when Creighton plays, you know I’m watching the 7’1″ Ryan Kalkbrenner (Trinity Catholic) dominate the inside.

• Keshon Gilbert (Vashon) who had a great season at Iowa State, although he is injured currently.
• Tarris Reed Jr (Chaminade) is a beast on the boards for U Conn.
• Phillip Russell (Vashon) averaged double digits for Virginia Commonwealth.
• Cam Fletcher (Vashon) plays in a limited role for Xavier.

Conclusion: Show Me the Hoops

I think you probably get my point. Maybe I’m biased (which I am) and naive to think that the times haven’t changed in this era of NIL money and prestige programs. So how does Mizzou became the kind of program where our top stars want to play and know they have a chance at the next level? As an NBA legend once told me during an interview, “unless you have the swagger, you’re not in the discussion.” Maybe that’s it. Get the swagger, get the players, then get the fans back. It sure seems simple on paper.

And when Drake takes on Texas Tech on Saturday night, you know I’ll be rooting for those Missouri boys playing for the university in Des Moines.

What are your thoughts on the state of Mizzou Basketball?