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#Mizzou dismisses softball coach Earleywine. Sterk “decision was based upon a culmination of leadership concerns”

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Mizzou Head Softball Coach Ehren Earleywine was fired in a moved announced on Friday morning by Mizzou’s Director of Athletics Jim Sterk.

A statement was released on the school’s website:

“I met with Coach Earleywine this morning and informed him of our decision to make a change in leadership within the softball program effective immediately,” Sterk said. “We do not take action of this magnitude without careful thought and consideration, however, we have lost confidence in Coach Earleywine’s leadership to foster the type of healthy environment we expect for our student-athletes, and as a result, believe it is in the program’s best interest to make a change at this time.”

“Since my arrival at Mizzou, I have had a chance to consider concerns within the softball program that arose before my time and observe Coach Earleywine’s leadership of our program,” Sterk added. “This decision was based upon a culmination of leadership concerns, not just one incident, which caused me to reevaluate his position within our softball program at this time.”

“While we are appreciative of the many successes Coach Earleywine’s teams have enjoyed on the field during his Mizzou tenure, we had serious concerns about the culture within the softball program and the experience our student-athletes were being provided as a result,” Sterk said. “I recognize that the timing is less than ideal, but I did not believe I could hold off in making a decision to ensure that our student-athletes experience a constructive environment that is consistent with the department’s expectations and values.”

After a lengthy investigation by the University’s Title IX office during the summer of August 2016, Earleywine was retained after several players complained of harsh language and treatment.  There was divide on that roster as many players, current and former at the time, who came to Earleywine’s defense.  Earleywine sought professional assistance to work on coaching and communications skills.

Calls to Earleywine for comment have not been returned.

In 11 seasons as the Tigers head coach from 2007-17, Earleywine compiled a record of 482-182 (.726), while guiding the program to 11-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances with eight NCAA Super Regionals and three Women’s College World Series trips

Missouri opens the 2018 season in Tempe, Ariz., against San Jose State, Feb. 8.

#Mizzou football just one win away from history (AUDIO)

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Paul Adams (L), Marcell Frazier (M), Drew Lock (R) attended the Texas Bowl media gathering on Tuesday. (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

A win over the Longhorns in Wednesday night’s Texas Bowl would be historic for Mizzou, as the 2017 Tigers would become just the second Power 5 team in college football history (Rutgers, 2008) to finish with eight wins after starting the season 1-5.  Mizzou has a six-game win streak in which their average margin of victory has been 30 points while scoring 45 or more points in each game for the first time in program history.  However, the numbers during the regular season may be misleading when you consider the following:

Mizzou head coach Barry Odom scoffed at those numbers at the Tigers’ press conference on Tuesday in Houston.

The Tigers will be playing in their 32nd bowl game and a win over Texas would bring Mizzou’s all-time record to 16-16 in bowl games.  Mizzou has won its last three bowls: 2011 Independence,  2014 Cotton (2013 season) and the 2015 Citrus Bowl (2014 season).

Slow first half for #Mizzou keeps #BragginRights in Illini hands

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Illinois’ Michael Finke has words with Missouri’s Jeremiah Tilmon following the game. Tilmon de-committed from the Illini to join the Tigers

The Missouri Tigers made just two, three-pointers in the first half and turned the ball over 16 times in the opening 20 minutes as Illinois used a nine and 10-point run to open a 20-point halftime lead in a 70-64 win in the 37th annual Braggin Rights game in St. Louis on Saturday night.

Illinois leads the overall series 25-12 in games played in St. Louis.

Illinois coach Brad Underwood admitted to me that he used game video and inside information from Missouri’s late win over Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday to game plan for the Tigers.  Underwood is in his first year at Illinois after a season at Oklahoma State.  Prior to that, he led the program at SFA.

Mizzou was exposed in that game and Underwood used strong perimeter defense to limit the Tigers in the first half.

The Tigers were just 8 of 24 shooting and 2-10 in the first half from beyond the arc.  Cuonzo Martin told me he felt his team settled for outside shots in the first half.

Mizzou cut the lead to six briefly in the second half but using a seven-man rotation and zero points off the bench, the Tigers ran out of gas late.

Kassius Robertson led the Tigers with 22 points after being held to two in the first half. Jordan Barnett added 19 points and 10 rebounds.  Barnett was the only spark for the Tigers in the first half, scoring 14 on 5-of-9 shooting.

Rountree to Hall — “That was your touchdown” #Mizzou

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Larry Rountree III celebrates one of his three touchdowns in Missouri’s win over Florida

It should have been Mizzou’s 16th play of the year with a gain of 50 or more yards.  Emanuel Hall streaked past Florida cornerback CJ Henderson.  Now, there might have been a little bit of a push off from Hall, but Henderson quit on the play and Hall hauled in Lock’s pass and fell into the endzone for what should have been a 50-yard TD strike.

As the Tigers lined up for the PAT, the officials took another look at the play and ruled that Hall was down at the one-yard line, giving Mizzou a first and goal.

“I was definitely robbed on that,” Hall said after the game.  “My knee was not on the ground.”

Lock wasn’t buying the ruling from the replay booth either.

“I’m not a ref and don’t know the strict rules on that, but I was hoping for a ‘tuddy’ (touchdown),” said Lock.

It was already a foregone conclusion the Tigers would score.  The only question would be, who would get the ball.  Well, there was never any doubt in my mind.

Rountree got the ball and plowed his way in for the score, making it a 35-9 game after the PAT.  After Rountree scored, he said he went right over to Hall.  For Rountree it was his 7th TD of the season, but he was happy to share.

Hall confirmed what Rountree said.

 

Barry Odom live–#Mizzou postgame following win over Florida

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Drew Lock looks downfield against Florida

The Missouri Tigers beat the Florida Gators 45-16 on Saturday for their third straight victory after a 1-5 start. Mizzou needs two wins in their final three games to gain bowl eligibility.

Drew Lock completed 15 of 20 passes for 228 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Emanuel Hall had five catches for 113 yards, but it was the run game by Mizzou that led the charge with 227 yards on the ground. Larry Rountree carried 15 times for 83 yards and three touchdowns, and Ish Witter added 83 yards on 17 rushes.

Despite the day belonging to the run game, Lock, who ran for 35 yards himself, moved past Brad Smith into second place on Missouri’s career touchdown passes list. Lock now has 58 TD passes, but is still 43 behind Chase Daniel.

Missouri head coach Barry Odom said the Tigers watched video over the summer on Florida QB Malik Zaire, during his time at Notre Dame, and anticipated meeting him when the two teams played. Zaire completed 13 of 19 passes for 158 yards and one interception. The defense held Florida to three straight field goals.

The Tigers outgained Florida 379-236 through three quarters.  At that point, the game was in hand at 35-9.

Mizzou hosts their final home game of the season next Saturday when they face Tennessee.

Chris Gervino joins the #Mizzou basketball radio broadcasts #MIZ (INTERVIEW)

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Chris Gervino (photo @KOMUChrisG)

Chris Gervino, longtime sideline reporter for the University of Missouri football broadcasts, has been named the new color analyst for men’s basketball, joining Mike Kelly for the 2017-18 season.

Gervino, who is also the Sports Director for KOMU-TV, the NBC affiliate in Columbia,  joined me to talk about his role on the broadcasts.  What I think you’ll enjoy about this upcoming season is you’ll be hearing Kelly and Gervino, both broadcast professionals.  You’ll hear a clean, tight broadcast and a different perspective on the game from Gervino than from a former player.

Gervino is a 1988 graduate of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism and has served as the sideline reporter on Tiger Radio Network broadcasts since 1992.

“I’m excited and honored to be part of the Tiger broadcast team at the University of Missouri, my alma mater, and grateful to Learfield and Mizzou for this opportunity,” Gervino said. “I also look forward to working with Mike Kelly for an exciting season of Tiger basketball.”

Listen to my conversation with Chris (7:00)

“Showdown for Relief” will happen. #Mizzou basketball to face Kansas on 10/22. Tickets go on sale to the public on Wednesday

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Kansas Jayhawks basketball players celebrate on the court after defeating the Missouri Tigers 70-66, at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri on March 5, 2011. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

The University of Missouri and Kansas University basketball programs are coming together for a one-time charity exhibition game Sunday, Oct. 22, at 3 p.m. at Kansas City’s Sprint Center. The event – Showdown for Relief – is to raise awareness and financial support for hurricane relief efforts.

MU, KU and the Sprint Center, along with the Kansas City Sports Commission, have agreed that proceeds from the game will be donated to organizations assisting victims of the natural disasters that have occurred recently in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Money raised from the game will be contributed to the organizations that the five living former U.S. Presidents have come together to support: the Houston Harvey Relief Fund, the Rebuild Texas Fund, the Florida Disaster Fund, Juntos y Unidos Por Puerto Rico and the Fund for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In order for this scrimmage to take place, both school needed a waiver from the NCAA to play the extra exhibition game.

“The opportunity to use the platform of college basketball to help so many people in need is the most important aspect of this event,” Mizzou head coach Cuonzo Martinsaid. “This scrimmage will not only be fun for fans of Mizzou and Kansas, but also for people all over the world.”

“It’s a great opportunity for two schools to do something together for the better of the masses,” Kansas coach Bill Self said, “and be able to send a significant amount of money to people that are suffering right now.”

Tiger Scholarship Fund members and MU students can purchase tickets starting Tuesday. Remaining tickets from Missouri’s allotment will available for purchase at SprintCenter.com starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Ticket prices are: $200 courtside, $120 for lower-level sides, $75 for lower-level ends, $40 for upper level and $20 for students (upper-level seats).

#Mizzou proves they must be near perfect if they hope to win in the SEC. Five plays that prove that point

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J’mon Moore is hoisted by center Trystan Castillo after the Tigers score a touchdown (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

“We’ve found ways to win and we’re responding to adversity,” said Kentucky coach Mark Stoops after his Wildcats defended their home turf in a 40-34 final against the Missouri Tigers on Saturday night.

That’s the type of quote Mizzou fans are hoping to hear from Barry Odom.

“In a game of evenly matched teams, it’s going to come down to who makes more plays,” Odom said. “I’ve been in games like that before. It usually comes down to six or seven plays over the course of the game. There’s a deciding factor, and that’s the way it was tonight.”

I’ll give you my take on the handful of plays that were the difference for a Tigers team that has zero margin for error if they expect to win in the SEC.

1.  Tucker McCann’s 45 yard field goal is blocked.  McCann was 2-for-3 on FG attempts with his longest attempt made from 27 yards.  If it weren’t for McCann’s acting skills, he would have been 1-for-3 after he pushed his second attempt of the game wide right, but tumbled to the ground drawing a penalty when a Kentucky player dove at his feet.  With the five-yard bump, McCann made that kick.  However, testing McCann’s leg from 45 yards is just not wise.  The way Mizzou was converting on third and fourth downs by running the football, I would have chosen to go for it on 4th and 6 from the Kentucky from the 28.  Which brings me to key play number two.

2.  3rd and 6 from the Kentucky 28.  The Tigers were 8-of-17 on third down conversions…a pretty good rate.  After converting earlier on the drive with an Ish Witter run on 3rd and 8, offensive coordinator Josh Heupel, with his team in four down territory, elected to send all four receivers straight to the end zone for basically a 3rd down Hail Mary.  Drew Lock’s pass was broken up leaving the Tigers to rely on McCann’s inaccurate leg and poor snapping.  Heupel could have tried another run, perhaps a safety route for Lock to check down.  Even if the Tigers gain three yards, a 4th and 3 from the 25 is still better than a 42-yard attempt to McCann.

3.  Damarea Crockett’s fumble.  The Tigers came into the game with a horrible turnover ratio, ranked 127th in D-I.  After Cale Garrett intercepted Stephen Johnson’s ugly pass attempt, Mizzou was in business at the Kentucky 34, trailing 20-17.  The Tigers cut the lead to three after a long 13-play drive that resulted in a field goal.  On the Tigers first play, UK’s Darius West got a helmet on the ball and Crockett coughed up the football turning it right back over to the Wildcats.  Kentucky answered with a nine-play drive to go back up 27-17.

From that point on, the Tigers had to continue to play catchup.  Drew Lock’s inflated numbers will look impressive with three touchdown and 355 yards, but the reality is the Tigers once again felt like they needed to take deep shots down the field.  Lock was fortunate to connect on a couple of those to Emmanuel Hall and Josh Johnson, thus boosting his numbers.

[Read more…]

#Mizzou in the Final Four? Porter Jr. says that’s the goal

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Michael Porter Jr., the top prospect in the country is not only thinking about making the NCAA Tournament, he’s thinking of doing something that has never happened in the history of Missouri Tigers basketball.

“I want to bring this team back to a Final Four, national championship-caliber level. I think we’re going to surprise people,” Porter told ESPN.

There is certainly reason to be excited about Cuonzo Martin’s first team.  In addition to Porter,  Blake Harris and Jeremiah Tilmon. a couple of top-100 prospects will play along with 4-star guard C.J. Roberts and former Canisius sniper Kassius Robertson. Plus, Jordan Barnett, Kevin Puryear and Terrance Phillips.

However, publicly stating that he wants to take Mizzou to the Final Four puts a target on the back of the Tigers, but that doesn’t concern Porter.

“I think it’s exciting that a lot of people have pretty high hopes. I don’t feel any pressure. I welcome it.”

Porter Jr. on playing for Mizzou fans: “It could be something real, real special”

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Michael Porter Jr. accepts his National Player of the Year Award (photo/Gatorade)

Michael Porter Jr. was honored as the Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year, and plans to reopen his college recruitment.  If Porter Jr. ultimately winds up at Mizzou, he certainly wasn’t tipping his hand.  Porter Jr. won the national honor after leading Seattle’s Nathan Hale High School to a 29-0 record and the Washington 3A state championship. Porter Jr. averaged 36 points and nearly 14 rebounds a game this season.

During a conference call on Wednesday with reporters, Porter Jr. confirmed that his father, Michael Porter Sr, has been offered a spot on Cuonzo Martin’s staff at Mizzou.  Porter Jr. said he would like to play for his dad in college but it’s not a guarantee the two would end up in the same spot and his dad is still deciding if he even wants to coach this season.

“My dad doesn’t know if he will coach next year or if he will coach…It is not a for sure thing I follow my dad,” said Porter Jr.

Porter Jr. says he’ll ask Washington University from his national letter of intent after his godfather, Lorenzo Romar, was fired.

Porter Jr. started his high school career at Tolton High School in Columbia and while he’s keeping his options open, he knows the excitement his return to Columbia would bring, saying “I’ve been shown a lot of love from Mizzou fans. It could be something real, real special to be able to come home.”