According to Webster’s, gullible can be defined as “easily duped or cheated.” The next version of Webster’s dictionary will add the following example as a definition, “A Missouri Tiger basketball fan.”
Missouri basketball has been run the through the ringer over the last month. Tiger fans had convinced themselves that they weren’t losing their coach to Arkansas, and once that proved to be wishful thinking, they convinced themselves that they were going to steal the coach from Purdue.
And now, I have some oceanfront property in Northwest Arkansas I want to sell to any gullible Missouri Tiger fan.
Exactly what do Missouri fans expect? How good do they believe their program truly is? One Kansas City Star newspaper blogger wrote that he believed Missouri was a top 20 type of program. I’m not sure exactly what criteria he was using, but the fairytale he and other Missouri fans have been believing suddenly crashed into what the rest of college basketball fans like to call “reality.”
Mike Anderson’s departure from Missouri to Arkansas should have been the first slap to the cheek to wake Tiger fans back into the real world. The idea that Anderson would turn down a program with the history and resources of the Razorbacks- not to mention a chance to go back “home”- in order to stay at Missouri was a little farfetched. Reports surfaced a year ago that Anderson would be very interested in the Arkansas position should it ever come open. Turning down Oregon and Georgia, which Anderson has done the two years previous, is not the same as turning down Arkansas.
Missouri fans somehow had talked themselves into believing that it was. Never mind that Arkansas has a national championship to go along with six Final Fours. Never mind that you can count Missouri’s Final Fours on exactly zero hands. The fans of the University of Missouri can talk themselves into believing anything.
Today, Missouri fans showed their shock and surprise that Matt Painter, the head coach at Purdue, turned down a Missouri offer to stay as the Boilermaker head coach. Keep in mind that this is not a shock to anyone outside of Missouri.
Everyone not in the “Show-Me State” knew exactly what was happening. Painter was playing “Show me the money” with Purdue for a raise with extra perks, and Missouri was the bait. Painter wanted his girlfriend to get a little jealous and give him some extra lovin’. So, he picked a slightly uglier girl and hugged up with her just enough to get what he what he really wanted from who he really wanted it from.
While ignorant bliss is certainly excusable from the Missouri fan base, their athletic director, Mike Alden, really should have known better. Painter’s name was rumored to be involved with both the Arkansas search and the North Carolina State search. Athletic directors from both schools were smart enough to stay away. The writing was on the wall. Purdue is already an established basketball program that continues to rise in a major conference. Purdue is in a state that loves basketball. On top of all that, Painter is already coaching at his alma mater. Arkansas and North Carolina State would be considered lateral moves or slight upgrades for Painter. It’s doubtful that either would have been enough to pull Painter away from Purdue.
Where does that leave Missouri? Missouri would have been a visible step down the professional ladder. Well, it’s visible to those outside of Missouri. Even Missouri journalists were reporting this deal as done as late as Wednesday morning. The St. Louis Dispatch reported that Matt Painter called Alden to accept the Missouri position. At least one Missouri television outlet tweeted the same.
Now that Missouri asked out the hot girl to the prom and got rejected in a very public and humiliating manner, it’s time to ask someone more to their social standing. There are some decent coaches out there still that would consider Missouri a positive step for their career. Scott Sutton’s Golden Eagles at Oral Roberts have finished no lower than third in the Summit League in the past eight seasons. Gregg Marshall of Wichita State would be an excellent choice for either Missouri or Oklahoma. Gregg Marshall has drastically improved two programs, first at Winthrop and currently at Wichita State. In fact, Marshall’s Shockers are set to play Alabama for the NIT championship.
Reasonable, quality options are out there for Missouri. But more likely than not, it won’t be the splash hire that many Missouri fans have talked themselves into believing they deserve.
Comments
there is a ton of negative reaction about this hire. As a Miami fan, I think Haith was a good coach. He had very little to work with at Miami; talent and support wise. Maybe at a program that actually cares about athletics a little more than academics, he will be able to succeed.
there is a ton of negative reaction about this hire. As a Miami fan, I think Haith was a good coach. He had very little to work with at Miami; talent and support wise. Maybe at a program that actually cares about athletics a little more than academics, he will be able to succeed.
Like I said, the Mizzou job isn't a very good job.
Like I said, the Mizzou job isn't a very good job.
Yes, Anderson is coming home, thats probably why he took the Mizz job in the first place, to be closer to home!
Yes, Anderson is coming home, thats probably why he took the Mizz job in the first place, to be closer to home!
Your really show your lack of knowledge on a lot of what you wrote. To begin, Painter and his agent reached out to MIZZOU because he knew what a great situation it is. If you really followed any of this you would know the Painter spent a lot more time in this other than just using it to get a raise. Most MU fans never believed he was coming. You base your conclusions on a few fans and the media but not the majority of fans.
Traditionally they are better but not now. Tradition doesn't win a thing and programs like UCONN weren't very strong until Calhoun got there They are all second-tier programs behind the elite programs. MU offers world class facilities that are for basketball use only, including the arena.
Your really show your lack of knowledge on a lot of what you wrote. To begin, Painter and his agent reached out to MIZZOU because he knew what a great situation it is. If you really followed any of this you would know the Painter spent a lot more time in this other than just using it to get a raise. Most MU fans never believed he was coming. You base your conclusions on a few fans and the media but not the majority of fans.
Traditionally they are better but not now. Tradition doesn't win a thing and programs like UCONN weren't very strong until Calhoun got there They are all second-tier programs behind the elite programs. MU offers world class facilities that are for basketball use only, including the arena.
here is some reality check to throw at some delusional fans that would also drive some hits: SEC West BCS Champions in recent memory: LSU, LSU, Bama, Auburn. Where did their last coach defect to? Ole Miss. Now, go ask a hogtard if they think they are an elite football school. And basketball gets to play second fiddle to that!
here is some reality check to throw at some delusional fans that would also drive some hits: SEC West BCS Champions in recent memory: LSU, LSU, Bama, Auburn. Where did their last coach defect to? Ole Miss. Now, go ask a hogtard if they think they are an elite football school. And basketball gets to play second fiddle to that!
I can't blame Painter for going back to Purdue - they have a richer history. I always expected Mike
Anderson to go back to Arkansas given the chance. It's a more successful program and, IMO, home to him. The letdown there was his repeated promises that he was going nowhere, even in the last few weeks. For most of us, we knew that he was gone but he gave us unreasonable hope with those promises.
I can't blame Painter for going back to Purdue - they have a richer history. I always expected Mike
Anderson to go back to Arkansas given the chance. It's a more successful program and, IMO, home to him. The letdown there was his repeated promises that he was going nowhere, even in the last few weeks. For most of us, we knew that he was gone but he gave us unreasonable hope with those promises.
Your major point was that Arkansas wasn't home for Mike. I know that it is. I know that Arkansas was Mike's dream job and he's alluded to it in the past. When he turned down the Oregon job, ESPN even reported that Mike was done flirting. The only job he would consider at that point would be the Arkansas job if it ever came open. I believe it was Andy Katz that said that.
The other point you mentioned was that Arkansas isn't UCLA. I won't dispute that. UCLA is one of the top three or four basketball programs in history. I certainly didn't intend to make Arkansas out to be a Kentucky, UCLA, Kansas, or UNC. I think Arkansas is probably a top 15 all time program. Purdue is probably top 20 or 25. Missouri is probably top 35 to top 40 which is the point made in the graphics.
I never intended to make Arkansas out to have superior tradition than UCLA. I intended to point out that Arkansas and Purdue had superior tradition to Missouri. That much is absolutely true. Both the Arkansas job and the Purdue job are better than the Mizzou gig at this time.
Your major point was that Arkansas wasn't home for Mike. I know that it is. I know that Arkansas was Mike's dream job and he's alluded to it in the past. When he turned down the Oregon job, ESPN even reported that Mike was done flirting. The only job he would consider at that point would be the Arkansas job if it ever came open. I believe it was Andy Katz that said that.
The other point you mentioned was that Arkansas isn't UCLA. I won't dispute that. UCLA is one of the top three or four basketball programs in history. I certainly didn't intend to make Arkansas out to be a Kentucky, UCLA, Kansas, or UNC. I think Arkansas is probably a top 15 all time program. Purdue is probably top 20 or 25. Missouri is probably top 35 to top 40 which is the point made in the graphics.
I never intended to make Arkansas out to have superior tradition than UCLA. I intended to point out that Arkansas and Purdue had superior tradition to Missouri. That much is absolutely true. Both the Arkansas job and the Purdue job are better than the Mizzou gig at this time.
Wow, that's pathetic. Your article was so full of holes.
Wow, that's pathetic. Your article was so full of holes.
Actually, Mike and his wife do consider Arkansas home. His wife, Marcheita, has always wanted to return to Fayetteville. he raised his kids in Fayetteville. He spent 17 years as an assistant there. He (and his family) very much considers Fayetteville "home."
Actually, Mike and his wife do consider Arkansas home. His wife, Marcheita, has always wanted to return to Fayetteville. he raised his kids in Fayetteville. He spent 17 years as an assistant there. He (and his family) very much considers Fayetteville "home."
I don't normally respond, but I have to know. If they never read this article, why would I need to make up with them?
I don't normally respond, but I have to know. If they never read this article, why would I need to make up with them?
And to believe that Mike Anderson is going "home" is the sign of a naive fan who believes anything a coach tells him. Anderson didn't go to school at Arkansas. He is not from Arkansas. His mentor, Nolan Richardson, was forced out in an ugly divorce. And when Anderson auditioned for the job on an interim basis, then interviewed for it, he was passed up for a guy with ONE year of Head Coaching experience from a Mid-Major school (Stan Heath, despite Anderson's 17 years as an assistant.
Mike Anderson is at Arkansas because the Razorbacks accept anyone who gets their name right on a SAT. Mizzou doesn't.
Congratulations on being naive. College sports are built on people like you.
And to believe that Mike Anderson is going "home" is the sign of a naive fan who believes anything a coach tells him. Anderson didn't go to school at Arkansas. He is not from Arkansas. His mentor, Nolan Richardson, was forced out in an ugly divorce. And when Anderson auditioned for the job on an interim basis, then interviewed for it, he was passed up for a guy with ONE year of Head Coaching experience from a Mid-Major school (Stan Heath, despite Anderson's 17 years as an assistant.
Mike Anderson is at Arkansas because the Razorbacks accept anyone who gets their name right on a SAT. Mizzou doesn't.
Congratulations on being naive. College sports are built on people like you.
Tough talk from a guy who writes for a bush league publication.
You are just bitter because Mizzou grads run all of the media outlets that have rejected you.
I think we know that your bitterness shows up in telling ways.
Good luck in your miserable career as you attempt to make up with every media exec you meet that never read this article about their Alma Mater.
P.S. Ben says, "hey look,guys! Someone finally posted to an article I wrote!"
Tough talk from a guy who writes for a bush league publication.
You are just bitter because Mizzou grads run all of the media outlets that have rejected you.
I think we know that your bitterness shows up in telling ways.
Good luck in your miserable career as you attempt to make up with every media exec you meet that never read this article about their Alma Mater.
P.S. Ben says, "hey look,guys! Someone finally posted to an article I wrote!"
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