THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: What are your early thoughts on Saturday’s Mizzou-UConn game?

BERNIE MIKLASZ
The Tigers have a better chance than most non-Mizzou fans would believe. UConn’s big man, Hasheem Thabeet, is formidable inside. But he takes his time getting up and down the court and Mizzou can wear him out. MU’s pace could give UConn fits because the Huskies don’t play a lot of guys. UConn will try to work it inside so Mizzou is going to have to be disruptive and clutter those passing lanes. On offense it’s important for the Tigers to go to the hole and show no fear of the big fella. Get him in foul trouble and get to that free-throw line. Other than that, run boys run and take advantage of your team speed and depth. See if you can do to UConn what you did to Oklahoma.

BRYAN BURWELL
The gradual realization that Missouri is among college basketball’s elite class has finally dawned on everyone after that stunning victory over Memphis. Now after watching UConn play on Thursday night, I believe that this will be a challenge for the Tigers, but that they will exhaust and attack the Huskies just like they’ve done everyone else this season. Unlike most teams that play UConn, the Tigers will take a page out of the Pitt playbook and take the ball right into 7-foot-3 center Hasheem Thabeet’s chest. Yeah, I am honestly leaning towards taking Mizzou in this match up.

VAHE GREGORIAN

Seems to me there’s no reason Missouri can’t play with Connecticut. Thabeet is a monster in the middle, but MU can draw him out and leave him wheezing going up and down the court. For that matter, UConn only goes about seven deep — playing right into part of MU’s recipe for wearing teams down this season. The Tigers know they are playing with house money at this stage, so they shouldn’t be too rattled by where they stand. Will Mizzou get to its first Final Four? Can only say if it’s meant to be, it will be.

JEFF GORDON
I didn’t like Missouri’s chances against Memphis for the obvious reasons. The Tigers haven’t defended dribble drives well or kept teams off the offensive boards. Sure enough, both problems arose Thursday — but Mizzou managed to outscore their shortcomings. That will be difficult to do against the enormous Huskies. But . . . U-Conn has bad karma now. Jim Calhoun is under fire for alleged recruiting violations and retirement is starting to look more appealing all the time, given his health issues. Mizzou’s karma is all good right now, as evidenced by the Marcus Denmon shot. Maybe this IS the Tigers year. Perhaps they really can topple Connecticut and finally reach a Final Four. It has become impossible to doubt this team.

KATHLEEN NELSON
Setting a brisk tempo probably would favor Missouri, as would clogging the lanes for those passes to Thabeet. Maybe the Tigers should put someone with quick hands and feet on the big guy and force him into turnovers. Offensively, Missouri could really use its outside shooters to have a good game.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Do you think Missouri or Illinois has the better chance of winning its conference tournament this weekend?

VAHE GREGORIAN

I think Illinois has a better chance of getting to championship game, and if so anything can happen there. Still, can’t quite see the Illini getting by Michigan State if that’s their opponent. Meanwhile, just hard to believe MU can beat Oklahoma for a second time — in Oklahoma City — and then beat Kansas again. 

BRYAN BURWELL

Both Missouri and Illinois will face a tough challenge winning their respective conference tournaments, but I give the edge to Illinois for one reason: In order for the Tigers to win the Big 12, they will likely face Oklahoma in the semifinals and that will essentially be a home game for the Sooners in Oklahoma City.

STU DURANDO

Missouri already has beaten the two biggest threats in Kansas and Oklahoma and that could give the Tigers a mental edge. But the possibility of having to beat those teams on consecutive days might be too much to ask. Illinois has proven capable of beating most anyone in the Big Ten but was not up to the task against Michigan State, either at home or on the road. So, I don’t see either team winning their tournament.

TOM TIMMERMANN

I think Missouri has a better shot. They have shown they can beat the top teams in the Big 12 and I think it’s more likely to see top teams cleared out of the way in the Big 12. Mizzou might only have to play one of the league’s heavyweights. (Of course, they could also lose their first game, but we’re dealing with percentages here.) Meanwhile, Illinois fails my 35-point test: No team can win its conference tournament if it scores less than 35 points in a game.

JEFF GORDON

Neither is a great candidate to win their conference tournament. But Illinois has to have a better chance because Missouri can REALLY struggle away from home. The Tigers are totally different outside of Mizzou Arena. At home, the Tigers feed off their crowd and exploit that advantage. On the road, their opponents do a much better job keeping their composure in the face of pressure. At a neutral site, I don’t see the Tigers beating Oklahoma or Kansas.

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MIDDAY NEWS AND THOUGHTS

GIVE ME THE FRENCH-CANADIAN: It’s definitely true that sometimes the best trades are the ones you don’t make. And I think the Blues made the right decision not packaging David Perron in any trade deadline deals. And this is not a knee-jerk reaction to the kid’s two goals last night. It’s based on what I see his long-term potential being for this club.

Let’s face it, the Blues currently are not ready for an open-ice style of play, which is a style that will work to Perron’s benefit someday. There’s just too much inexperience (youth) among the forwards and the club does not currently have its full arsenal of puck-moving defensemen to consistently start clean breaks out of their zone.

But it’s coming. Carlo Colaiacovo has shown he’s got very good offensive skills for a defenseman (a trade well made), and Roman Polak has surprised most of us with what he’s brought to the parent club this year. And next year, of course, the Blues will welcome back “The Franchise,” defenseman Erik Johnson, who may develop into one of the top puck-moving defensemen in the league.

Furthermore, next season David Backes becomes a de facto veteran and one that has shown a very good all-around game this year. Jay McClement has the speed to move and offers just enough of a threat to keep team’s honest. Alex Steen is showing promise. And, T.J. Oshie and Patrik Berglund will be a year older and a year better. That’s a pretty good corps to build a team that offers more speed, without giving up any real grit.

Which brings me back to David Perron. This kid may be the best stick handler on the team. He’s got mad moves and a nose for the net. With so many other weapons more seasoned and gelling next season, I would expect Perron to lift his game to another level. (Not that his 11 goals and 29 assists are anything to scoff at.)

Keep in mind Perron is just 20 years old. There is a lot of room for growth remaining for this guy. I would expect a closer correlation of goals-to-assists in the near future. Is he a bit cocky? Sure. But I like it. He knows he can play. As long as Perron doesn’t become a divisive presence on the team (which there’s been no indication of), he can be as cock-sure as his stick will allow him, in my opinion.

Last night’s first goal by Perron showed a kid who is growing up. The play not only had sizzle, but the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Perron also showed his heart, outmuscling (yeah, I said it, Perron outmuscled) 6-3, 214-pound Nicklas Grossman around the corner before moving the puck to his forehand and banging home a top-shelfer.

The St. Louis Blues have asked fans this year to “Come Grow With Us.” The fans have complied and bought in. Dealing away a young asset like Perron would have sent the wrong message. Sit back and enjoy watching him grow up … along with a host of other young talents on this team. When Perron hits 22, 23, 24 years old, if he’s playing in any sweater not displaying the Blue Note, fans here will be sorry.

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SOMETHING TO PONDER

THIS BILLS FAN HAS HAD ENOUGH: Everyone has got their own opinion about Terrell Owens joining the Buffalo Bills, but this video someone sent me from the Dallas Morning News website takes the cake. Be forewarned, it’s a little off-color, but as long as you’re not too easily offended, it’s hilarious. Check it out.

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DID YOU KNOW?

HOCKEY WITHOUT ICE: Octopush is an underwater hockey game that was introduced in South Africa in the 1960. The players wear skin-diving equipment, use mini-hockey sticks and a regular puck. Other than that, they follow all the rules of hockey … on the floor of a pool.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: There recently has been a lot of speculation about whether or not Missouri basketball coach Mike Anderson would leave Mizzou next year to become head coach at Alabama or Georgia. Do you believe either of those spots to be a better job than what Anderson has now at Missouri?

BERNIE MIKLASZ
Missouri is clearly the best job of the three. I don’t know Anderson well on a personal level and can’t know what’s in his mind or heart. But if he is inclined to move on I would have to think that the idea of going home to Alabama is appealing to Coach and his wife. If Alabama throws a bunch of money at him the idea of a homecoming would be even sweeter. But again I can’t pretend I know what the man is thinking or whether the lure of going home to Alabama is a powerful and personal factor.

VAHE GREGORIAN
Obviously, the chance to coach in the SEC isn’t to be shrugged off, especially since Coach Anderson is from Birmingham. And maybe those programs have deeper pockets than Mizzou in terms of what they might be able to offer financially. But MU has been to more NCAA Tournaments (21, on the verge of 22) than those two programs combined (20) and reached more regional finals (four) than those two combined (one). Now that the program is back on its feet, it is regularly selling out Mizzou Arena. In short, the Tigers have better tradition and are in a far better place now — contending for Big 12 title — than the two SEC also-rans. Perhaps the temptation to go home or near home will be too much for Anderson to resist, or maybe one of the schools will make an offer he can’t turn down. But he’s already got the best of the three jobs right now.

STU DURANDO
In terms of success, Alabama has enjoyed the most this decade of the three programs, having gone to the NCAA Tournament seven times under Mark Gottfried, who resigned in the middle of this season. The Crimson Tide have dipped some in recent years but went to the tournament from 2002-06, earned a No. 1 ranking in ’03 and reached the Elite Eight in ’04. Georgia and Missouri have both been to the tournament four times since 2000 but those appearances were awhile ago. Of course, Alabama might be attractive because Anderson is from Birmingham and had success at UAB while recruiting successfully in that region of the country. That certainly would make Alabama interested in him.

But at Georgia and Alabama, the basketball programs take a backseat to the football programs, at least moreso than at Missouri. A little research showed that Missouri, Georgia and Alabama spent comparable amounts on men’s basketball during the 2007-08 season, according to data provided by each school for their equity in athletics reports. Missouri actually spent the most despite having a smaller overall athletic budget and generated the most revenue of the three. Expenditures for football at Alabama and Georgia far exceeded those at Missouri.

JEFF GORDON
Missouri is a better job, based on the long-range potential of the program. Wonderful arena, strong basketball conference, history of strong support, solid national profile, two metro areas within two hours . . . the pieces are all there. Anderson has natural ties to the SEC recruiting area, but he is proving capable of luring strong recruits to Mizzou. The one plus offered by Alabama and Georgia: Working in the shadow of SEC football affords a coach plenty of room to work.

TOM TIMMERMANN
Given the choice between living in Columbia, Mo., Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Athens, Ga., I’d choose Athens hands down. It’s a great city. However, I wouldn’t choose to coach in the SEC. It’s the worst of the six BCS leagues and in just about every city, the basketball program is incidental to the football program. I think Anderson has the potential to be more successful — and over a longer period of time — at Mizzou than at either Alabama or Georgia. The others would probably throw more money his way, but they have to.

KATHLEEN NELSON
I’ve never seen the facilities at Alabama, Missouri or Georgia, so I don’t know which of the three has more comfy chairs for watching film or newer dumbbells for workouts or softer training tables — the stuff that separates great programs from good ones and seems to matter a lot to recruits. Perhaps the facilities are on equal footing. But say “Crimson Tide” or “Bulldogs” to a sports fan, and he’ll think of football. They are Football Schools. Not basketball schools. In contrast, the reputation of Missouri’s basketball program stands on a par these days with the football program. If being treated on equal footing with football is important to Anderson, he should stay.

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MIDDAY NEWS AND THOUGHTS

A FEW BLUES VIEWS:

1. Welcome to St. Louis, Danny Richmond. So now I understand why there was all the excitement about the trade deadline … who knew the Blues had the chance to land an AHL defenseman? (Yes, the deadline is still a little more than an hour away, so something else could happen.)

2. With the Blues only a few points out of a playoff spot, it’s nice that fans have had something to get excited about this late in the season. It’s been a long time. But after watching the Red Army march into the Scotty last night and completely dismantle the Blues, it was a stark reminder of how far this team has to go to compete with the league’s elite, particularly in a playoff series. I believe the Blues will reach the playoffs next year … but without adding some offensive talent, it’s going to take another two or three years for the kids to grow up before this team can trade punches with the big boys come playoff time.

3. Question: Is David Backes playing on the grind line because of his lack of production, or, is David Backes’ lack of production because he is playing on the grind line? Chicken or the egg, please? A month ago I was singing Backes’ praises as perhaps the team’s best player. In recent weeks he’s been MIA. Would the real David Backes please stand up?

DUST UP IN THE DESERT: Just a month ago Arizona Cardinal fans were celebrating their team’s wild ascension to Super Bowl contender. So many warm and fuzzy stories about the Lil’ Engine that Could and how everything was finally coming together for this franchise. Fast forward one month … MVP quarterback Kurt Warner remains unsigned and is being wooed by the division rival Niners. Star wide receiver Anquan Boldin has told the club he wants a contract extension, and if that can’t be worked out, he’d wants to be traded. And today comes the news that RB Edgerrin James has told the club he’d like to be released. That’s a lot of turmoil in one month. Perhaps that Super Bowl appearance was just a stopover at an oasis and the team will soon be banished to desert afterthought once again.

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SOMETHING TO PONDER

FLIP-FLOPPING IN L.A.: Just last week the Los Angeles media was taking Manny Ramirez to task for turning down the Dodgers two-year, $45 million contract offer. Manny was selfish. Manny didn’t care about anyone but Manny. Nobody else wanted Manny so he should feel privileged by the Dodgers’ offer, etc., etc., etc. Bottom line, the L.A. media ate him up. But upon the news that Manny apparently has changed his mind, he’s just a “giggly,” good-hearted, misunderstood guy. Well, you can read yourself what T.J. Simers has to say in the L.A. Times today.

For my money, Manny’s as selfish as ever and the only reason he’s taking this deal now is because his reputation has become so unmanageable that he knows he’s not going to get a better offer from anyone else. So the L.A. media can wrap their arms around Manny today … but let’s watch how long it takes before they are dogging him in Hollywood for not hustling, pouting, etc., etc., etc.

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STAT OF THE DAY

47 — That’s the most points scored by an individual player in one NHL playoff year. Wayne Gretzky did it for the Edmonton Oilers in 1985. On their march to the Stanley Cup that year, the Oilers played just 18 games. Gretzky collected his 47 points on 17 goals and 30 assists, an average of 2.6 points per game. Wow. (Source: Hockey’s Top 100: The Game’s Greatest Records)