Mizzou's Parting Shot To The Big 12

Kim English cutting down the net at the Sprint Center.
(Courtesy of KCOU Sports)

...and when the fray was through at the Sprint Center, the Tigers left K.C. with a Big 12 tournament trophy in hand.

No word on whether there was tramp, tramp, tramping around the columns with a cheer for old Mizzou.

The night after Baylor dispatched Kansas from the Big 12 tournament, Kansas's first Big 12 tournament loss since 2005, Mizzou knocked off the Bears 90-75.  This game was served as a reminder for how magical of an academic year it has been for both schools and trust me I will get to Baylor in a different article.  This magical basketball season and subsequent conference tournament was the icing on the cake for the winningest class in Missouri Tiger men's basketball history.  This will truly be a season to remember by fans, players, coaches and alumni alike.  The wonderful part is that it is not over yet.

The Missouri Tigers hired Frank Haith to coach this team after Mike Anderson has had left for Arkansas. Haith was doubted and his history did not alleviate any criticism and concerns.  Not too many people had Faith in Haith from the very beginning.  I cannot sit here and tell you that I did either.  I honestly felt that the football team had more potential than the basketball team this August.  The concerns about this year's Missouri Tigers were greater when Laurence Bowers tore his ACL.  What we did not see is that a team that was divided become united.  The story that we hear during games was the seal training that the team went through together that built trust.  This trust established roles and built a winner.

They rode that camaraderie to a Big 12 tournament championship.  They leave Kansas City, a KU and K-State town, with hardware and middle fingers directed at the rest of the conference that they are leaving.  Living in Columbia, I can tell you that I have not followed a team this fun so closely since the 2004-05 Illinois Fighting Illini.  Kim English, Ricardo Ratliffe, Michael Dixon Jr., Phil Pressey, Steve Moore, Marcus Denmon and Matt Pressey will have a special place in my heart.  So will Laurence Bowers who despite not playing this season, is every bit a part of this team as the other seven.  A place that Dee Brown, James Augustine, Deron Williams, Luther Head and Roger Powell Jr. occupy.  You have been a special group of guys to watch and the culmination of your hard work will be this tournament.  You have a shot at even more glory.  You have a legitimate opportunity to capture Missouri's third NCAA athletic national championship.  

You are a truly special group of athletes and men and I wish you the best in this tournament and the rest of your lives.