re: Not only is Isabell out for the game today

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Speaking as ever the ancient optimist, you all might know that when Coach Smith took over the wrestling program, I couldn't believe what the f*ck was going on. He literally, canned the whole fricking team and had nothing but freshmen (who got the shite beat out of them). I asked Coach what was going on and he replied, "They didn't want to get with the program." Of course, he turned the squad into a national power. But, boys and girls...but...it took a couple years. Then it really took off.

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Then, like I said, kick them all off the team. Screw it.

The sad part is the most interesting thing about the program right now is what the roster will look like next year. It's quite clear these kids lack some self discipline. And KA is obviously going to be all about discipline, which is not a bad thing-but I'm wondering how that's going to play in today's CBB circumstances.

I think there is a lot of talent on the squad right now. Too bad it's not likely to stick together to see what they could grow into with some additional parts. I'll be amazed if there aren't multiple transfers after this season, maybe even an exodus.

And then we'll really be starting over from scratch.

Depends on what the rules are, KA seems pretty over the top.

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Something, although small, that Anderson called a "teaching moment" Saturday happened after the game. Usually when Anderson and the players who speak to the media come to the post-game press conference, the players are wearing team-issued, puffy winter jackets. The interview room is typically toasty.

"OK, I got tired of coming in here, and our guys would come in here with that coat on and it's like 72 degrees in here, and they'd sit like this," Anderson said while slumping over.

"I say, 'OK Wes (Clark), you and Jakeenan (Gant) are coming up with me, and you are going to sit up there and you are going to enunciate your words correctly and you are going to sit up,'" Anderson said. "OK, I would give them both at least an A-minus. So we taught them something. That's good. That's common courtesy."

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but I'm wondering how that's going to play in today's CBB circumstances.

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It won't in the way many want it to. My expectations under KA is that we will recruit MVC type of players and then rely on coaching them up into a team. Forget Tatum. Forget Bryant. Forget Simmons. At one time, I would have been shocked if Porter didn't come to Mizzou. Now I would be shocked.

If I were Gant, Wright, Teki...I would transfer. This is not the right place for them frankly.

Part of me thinks that this is just KA being too hard on 18-19 year old kids who are trying to have a bit of fun while in college.

The other part of me is kicking and screaming because we fail to put a respectable product on the floor.

I'm for the most part on the same page as reedus....surely there is no way that all these kids have character issues.

I don't even think suspending a kid from games is the best way to get through to this generation. Kids today simply shrink into a shell with criticism.

Also need to have some players take responsibility. I remember watching "The U", and how the seniors on the national championship team talked about how they didn't need coaches that season. If a player didn't have attitude or intensity needed, the seniors and veteran players lit them up.

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Part of me thinks that this is just KA being too hard on 18-19 year old kids who are trying to have a bit of fun while in college.

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If you want to enjoy college, don't agree to $50k+/year worth of pay/benefits to do a job while you are there.

Part of the grumbling about Norm during his last couple years was that he didn't relate to "today's players." He had his stars, but they damned sure better not act like stars...they were to be part of the team. KA probably has some of that, too. But in a feeble defense of KA, we don't know what the suspended guys did, do we? Did they roll their eyes every time a coaching point was made? Did they miss practice? dog it during scrimmage? Skip class?

Or did they simply not shave properly? I don'[t think it was the latter.

Broken record: Three years, three years until we "know." If we haven't improved a helluva lot by then, we can start looking for the next Quin...who can relate to today's players :)

Isabell is still suspended for SC game.

I think Anderson has done well considering the dumpster fire he was left with. Let him bring in his recruits. These things happen on a freshman dominated team.

Ummmmm, I said that a reasonable expectation for this year was just getting to double digit wins. My criticism of the team/coach has less to do with the record and more to do with what I see(or don't see) on the court.

I've also always said that KA would and should get at least 4 years to turn things around.

In the meantime, I'm not going to jump up and down, talking about all of the progress being made when it isn't being made IMO. When I see progress, I'll say I see progress.

Recruiting? We have 2 MVC type players and a PG. We'll see who else he lands. The 2 MVC type players could be good role players IF he is also landing higher talented players to surround them.