Mizzou Basketball Job Viewed As An SEC "Jewel".

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. • Jon Sundvold is unapologetically partial toward his alma mater, but as he travels the Southeastern Conference calling basketball games for the SEC Network and hobnobs with coaches, administrators and broadcasters, the former Missouri All-American only knows what he knows. And his opinion of the Missouri coaching job is shared by those he talks to around the conference, from Columbia, S.C., to College Station, Texas, and all spots between.

“It is viewed nationally by coaches and broadcasters that have done games for the last 15 years as one of the jewels of this league,” Sundvold said this week at the SEC tournament, where a loss Thursday to Ole Miss ended Kim Anderson’s Mizzou coaching tenure. “When the SEC wanted Missouri, they wanted the basketball program. It’s viewed like Arkansas when they’re good or Tennessee.

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Sterk ticked off other factors that he believes will entice quality candidates, led by Mizzou Arena, which at almost 13 years old is still relatively new and equipped with a convenient practice gym. Though he’s been around for only a couple of well-attended home games, Sterk has seen glimpses of the arena’s potential as a home venue.

“You’ve got an arena that gets loud really quick,” he said. “With some exciting things going on that can be a great atmosphere for basketball. (Coaches) have seen it.” Even coaches around the SEC. Tennessee’s Rick Barnes was Texas’ coach when he coached his first game at Mizzou, back at the Hearnes Center in 2000.

“When I think of Missouri I think of them as a basketball school,” Barnes said. “They’ve had great respect for basketball there. I have great respect for their fans. They appreciate great basketball. ... When they get that thing going, they’re as good as any group of fans you’ll play in front of.”

“You get the right kids in there and start winning, a lot of good things start taking place,” said Mike Anderson, now in his sixth year at Arkansas. “It’s a process. I know that.”

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