The scene at Mizzou Arena on Saturday night was nothing short of electric. A lot was on the line. Everyone in attendance knew it.
The University of Kansas and the University of Missouri squared off for likely the last time in Columbia, Missouri. The history between the two schools dates back over 100 years. But with Mizzou's move to the SEC, Kansas is not inclined to necessarily schedule Mizzou right away and likely never again on Mizzou's home floor.
The Jayhawks have traditionally owned the rivalry on the floor when it comes to wins and losses, but this year is a little bit different. Mizzou came into the game with a Top 5 ranking, a new coach with a fresh approach, and a team loaded with experienced players who were ready to beat Kansas in the last contest on their home floor.
And the Mizzou fans showed up for the game as well. Clad in gold, the stadium was practically jumping for three straight hours as Mizzou defied odds with a 11-0 run to end the game to beat Kansas 74-71.
The fans were so good that Kansas coach Bill Self, who is a popular number one enemy of Tigers fans, lauded the environment at Mizzou Arena on Saturday night. He even went as far to call Mizzou fans "classy."
Self would not deny that he may have interest in playing Mizzou in the future, possibly five years down the road, but said it is unlikely in the immediate future.
But Self's compliment of Mizzou fans goes further than simply saying Mizzou Arena was a tough place to play on Saturday night. It seems as though Self genuinely likes the rivalry with Mizzou. Likely because he almost always beats the Tigers, but also because deep down, he has to believe an annual game in Kansas City between Mizzou and KU is simply the right thing to do.
We can only wait and see what happens when next year's schedule comes out.
Until then, Tigers fans have to figure out a way to stop Thomas Robinson in time for the rematch in Kansas. That man is a train and an absolute stud I guarantee you that Jayhawks will bring the noise in Lawrence as well and Kim English and company will have a tough challenge on their hands in the rematch at the end of the season.
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The University of Kansas and the University of Missouri squared off for likely the last time in Columbia, Missouri. The history between the two schools dates back over 100 years. But with Mizzou's move to the SEC, Kansas is not inclined to necessarily schedule Mizzou right away and likely never again on Mizzou's home floor.
The Jayhawks have traditionally owned the rivalry on the floor when it comes to wins and losses, but this year is a little bit different. Mizzou came into the game with a Top 5 ranking, a new coach with a fresh approach, and a team loaded with experienced players who were ready to beat Kansas in the last contest on their home floor.
And the Mizzou fans showed up for the game as well. Clad in gold, the stadium was practically jumping for three straight hours as Mizzou defied odds with a 11-0 run to end the game to beat Kansas 74-71.
The fans were so good that Kansas coach Bill Self, who is a popular number one enemy of Tigers fans, lauded the environment at Mizzou Arena on Saturday night. He even went as far to call Mizzou fans "classy."
"This is hard for me to say to Mizzou people, but I thought tonight was about as good and classy an atmosphere as there is."The comment by Self, which was truly a nice gesture of goodwill towards the folks in Columbia, raises a couple of questions. Is that Self's polite way of saying goodbye to Mizzou fans forever? Or does Self feel that the rivalry should continue on beginning next season but because of the politics behind Mizzou's move to the SEC feels that Kansas should refrain from any contests for the next couple of seasons?
Self would not deny that he may have interest in playing Mizzou in the future, possibly five years down the road, but said it is unlikely in the immediate future.
But Self's compliment of Mizzou fans goes further than simply saying Mizzou Arena was a tough place to play on Saturday night. It seems as though Self genuinely likes the rivalry with Mizzou. Likely because he almost always beats the Tigers, but also because deep down, he has to believe an annual game in Kansas City between Mizzou and KU is simply the right thing to do.
We can only wait and see what happens when next year's schedule comes out.
Until then, Tigers fans have to figure out a way to stop Thomas Robinson in time for the rematch in Kansas. That man is a train and an absolute stud I guarantee you that Jayhawks will bring the noise in Lawrence as well and Kim English and company will have a tough challenge on their hands in the rematch at the end of the season.
Sources:
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