Graham Watson: Hey there and welcome to the chat. There must be nothing happening this week because the queue is a little empty. I guess that means I'll get through this a lot quicker than usual.

Let's begin.

Larry M.: Hi Graham. Keep up the good work. Any word on how Matt Hall's visit went to Columbia? Is he still leaning toward following Houston Nutt to Ole Miss or did the visit to Mizzou sway him? Also, is Aaron Boyd on the fence as much as he sounds in interviews (Scout.com) or does he have a favorite? Any other imminent signings? Thanks.

Vahe Gregorian: Matt Hall enjoyed his visit, but is going to take one more look at Arkansas. He's been a Razorback fan all his life and he just wants to make sure he's making the right decisions wherever he goes.

Aaron Boyd will announce on signing day, so we'll all be in suspense for that one. He really liked Mizzou, and if I had to guess, he's leaning toward the Tigers.

Those guys are the last two on the board as far as I know. Mizzou only has two (at most) scholarships available. If they don't use them, they'll go to deserving senior walk-ons.

Dale Stuckey: Did his teammates walk off and leave him after he was knocked out or did they knock him out and then walk off and leave him ????

Vahe Gregorian: This is a question a lot of us had asked. Now tat we know there were four other guys there, how did they let there teammate supposedly get blindsided in the face? I think these answers are going to come from the police, not Mizzou. Mizzou is done talking to the media about this incident, but I guarantee that we'll be talking about it until the end of the season.

Steve Smith: I know the answer will be - we can't discuss recruiting? But, How does the Southern IL Player of the year in football not get recruited by Missouri, Illinois, Purdue, Iowa or Michigan? Matt Brown is a 6-4 215 pound QB from Marion, IL who has led St. Louis, Chicago and all of ILLINOIS for two years in passing stats at the large school level. He was 5A QB of the Year in ILLINOIS and he is not recruited by the Big 12 or Big 10. Why?

Vahe Gregorian: I think it should tell you something about the kid not the schools when all of those big names don't give the kid a look. I don't know Matt Brown. Never seen him play. In fact, can't find him in any of the recruiting databases.

This reminds me of the P-D's two all-metro QB's from a year ago - Derrick Johnson (East St. Louis) and Dave Kannapel from CBC. Neither was very highly recruited and I'm not sure either went on to play college ball.

A lot of the POY rankings are what they do on the high school field, not their ability at the next level.

Mark: Any further scoop on the basketball incident and/or the expected length of the subsequent suspensions?

Vahe Gregorian: I talked to Mizzou about 20 minutes ago and it's not going to release word on the suspended players. We'll all be surprised tomorrow.

Snake: Graham, thanks once again for taking my question. My friend, Cloudson, is wondering if he can try out for the Missouri basketball team. He played for the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy Rams (Overland Park)from 1991-1995 and has spent the years since then honing his skills by shooting nothing but 3-pointers with Reggie Miller on NBA Live 95 for the Sega Genesis.

Your thoughts?

Vahe Gregorian: If he had trained on Double Dribble on Nintendo, I think he'd have a better chance of making the squad.

Todd: Graham,
Mizzou needs you at shooting guard against K-State. I know you can at least hit a free throw and also foul someone. Seriously though this season is over. I think maybe I'll go to Maryville this weekend and watch Yvonne fill it up!
My question is this, what will you look for the rest of the year out of this team?
Thanks

Vahe Gregorian: I can definitely foul someone. I was an all-star defender in YMCA ball. I shot the 3 because I was too small to get inside. I never mastered the layup, though. Always sent it flying off the backboard. I was like 7, though. That's when I decided to stick with game with stick, bats or feet.

I expect what I expected from this team all along - nothing. I don;t think it will make the postseason unless it's that random CBI tournament that takes the No. 100 and up teams to play in a made-up postseason. This team has bad leadership, as we can see with four of the five seniors being suspended, even the team captain, and it translates into games. There's no trust there and that's why they lose so many close games.

I;d say go to Maryville, but you'll miss yet another Michael Beasley double-double.

dez: What is the latest on the suspensions and the incident that led to them?

If the suspensions have ended, when were the suspended players informed of that? Specifically, was it before or after the Nebraska game?

Have any of the Athena Five overcome the amnesia that seemed to afflict them when the police asked them about the incident?

When (if ever) is Hannah returning to resume his education?

Vahe Gregorian: We won't know anything on the suspensions until tomorrow. We were told that the suspended players had to show that they learned something. I think that's still being determined, so we'll see. The players did not know how long their suspensions were for, but I bet a lot of them thought just a night.

The police is not releasing anymore info at this time. Still gathering stuff, but I think some secrets were finally spilled in the interest of self-preservation.

I don't know when Hannah's coming back to Columbia. The police told me next week for an interview.

CP: Graham,

Thanks for your time. First and foremost I want to let you know how much I enjoy your coverage of Missouri athletics. I think you do a very articulate and professional job in the way you handle your duties. My questions today are:

#1) Whith all of the hype now surrounding Blaine Gabbert going to the University of Missouri, will the constant presuure from other programs saying he will be taking a backseat if he goes to the University of Missouri be enough to persuade Blaine Dalton away from his early verbal commitment?

#2) In your opinion, who will the last available scholarships be taken by for this years football recruiting class?

#3) Is Mike Anderson the right person for the job? I tend to like the coach, but realistically, I believe the program is missing two MAJOR components: A TRUE POINT GUARD WHO WILL RUN AN OFFENSE AND A POWER FORWARD WITH ACTUALLY POST MOVES WHO CAN SCORE, PLAY DEFENSE, AND REBOUND!!! I hope he is, because I am rooting for him.

#4) Is 2009 the year that Coach Pinkel breaks the East St. Louis High barrier? I would love to see their recruits wearing tiger black and gold!

Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response and updates surrounding the programs.

Vahe Gregorian: 1. If Blaine Dalton doesn't want to compete for a starting position, then that's not a kid you want in your program anyway. You want a kid who is gong to fight for what he wants that way you know he'll fight for the team on the field. I think Blaine Dalton will have as much a chance to overtake Gabbert as anyone else.

2. Gosh, that's tough. I think it could go either way with both Aaron Boyd and Matt Hall. I got a sense that both really liked Mizzou. If anything, they stay at home because of family, but that's it. If those two guys turn Mizzou down, then the schollie's will go to senior walk-ons.

3. I think he proved by benching those players the other night that he is the right person for the job. He's had some unfortunate incidents and he's being judged by those. I do think he'll be able to work better with his kids. As I said last week, Jason Horton is no different than he was in Quin's system. He doesn't play any different. That tells me that he can't play this system and Anderson has had to adjust. The last two Missouri teams have looked NOTHING like MA's UAB teams or even Nolan's Arkansas teams in terms of the system they run.

show me mojo: Dear Abby....er..Graham,

There was a family squabble recently about CMA's daughter Yvonne accepting a BB scholarship to Texas. Some felt due to her fathers position, CMA should require her to play at Mizzou. Others felt at the least, she shouldn't compete with MU by committing to play for another Big 12 school. The rest believed Yvonne was free to choose, and political fallout should be non-existent as well. By now I'm sure you realize we're a large family.

Does her father have a responsibility to persuade Yvonne to play at MU? Should Yvonne alone have made the decision to play wherever she wished? What role if any, do you believe her father should have played in the ultimate decision? Your valued opinion will go a long way toward settling our differences. Bless you, for considering our current plight.

Vahe Gregorian: MA has the responsibility to make sure his daughter is happy. That's it. If she's happy playing at Texas, then that's where she should play. I think we all remember that Yvonne didn't want to make the move to Missouri in the first place. So why would MA make her stay? Missouri is his love. His job. And he doesn't have to make his family conform to his wants. Plus, she wanted to play for a potential national champion and a potential hall of fame coach. Texas has both, Missouri has none. Heck, I'm not even sure how stable Cindy Stein's job is right now.

Are we really talking women's basketball in here? This has got to be a first.

Jim hency: any decision on Tony Temple redshirting or is that not going to be followed thru with

Vahe Gregorian: Tony Temple is moving on to the NFL. he made an announcement earlier in the week. I think it's a good decision for him.

Joe Downs: Have the guys taken care of business?

We they be back for K-State?

If back, will they resume their roles 100% or will we see the same five starters from Wednesday night?

Vahe Gregorian: I don't know. For the first time under MA, he's closed practices this week and cut off all interviews. It's a weird situation. We won't know until we get there tomorrow what will happen.

I do think he'll reward the last starting five by starting them again. That's an MA trend.

Matt: I was at the game Wednesday night and it was great to see this team finally play hard for 40 minutes even if they ran out of gas at the end. The University of Missouri should be thrilled to have two stand up coaches like Pinkel and Anderson, and both programs appear to be in great hands. My question is this, once the suspensions end, do you see any changes made to the starting lineup? I'd love to see Tiller get a change to keep the job along side Keon. Also, do you think Butterfield will be out longer than the others since this is his second offense? Thanks for all the great coverage!

Vahe Gregorian: I think MA keeps the same starters for this game and those guys play at least until the first timeout. I'd really like to see Volkus stick in the lineup. I thought he was great on Wednesday, especially with four fouls.

Butterfield is on his second offense. It wouldn't be surprising to see him out longer than the others.

donnie: So now that Temple is heading to the NFL do you see a clear cut #1tb or will it be several guys? Favorites, any freshman in the mix?

Vahe Gregorian: It will be jimmy Jackson to start the season and then it will be his position to lose. I do think RSFr. De'Vion Moore is going to get a chance and I think the jury is still out as to whether La'Roderick Thomas is going to move to RB. I don't think any of the incoming frosh RBs will play this season, but a summer of playing with these guys and learning the plays and the blocking schemes might prove a difference.

Mike Christensen: Norm Stewart had the ability to recruit All-Americans. Mizzou seems to be struggling now to land All-americans and it is crucial to have them if you want to compete nationally or get into the top 25. What is Mike Anderson's thought on recuiting TOP players and what is he doing to get them?

Vahe Gregorian: I don't know that you need All-Americans to make the top 25. I just think you need to be a good team and one guy doesn't always make an entire team especially in Mike Anderson's system.

Mike Anderson has his name in the hat for some of the top player for future classes, but nothing definitive yet. I think MA recruits guys who can play his system. Not all of the high-level guys can do that. It's the same with football. Blaine Gabbert is the first five-star recruit GP has ever brought to Mizzou. His team is No. 4 in the country with two-, three- and four-star guys.

Jim H: Hi Graham, Is there any decision on Tony Temple being redshirted or is that not being pursued any more?

Vahe Gregorian: Tony Temple announced that he'll be entering the Draft. he told me that he got an invite to the Combine, so he'll be doing that at the end of the month.

Jack: Hi Again,

What coverage will you have on this weekend's Junior Day?

Also, how do the two main recruiting sites get scoops from inside the athletic department about information on who we are recruiting, offering and receiving commitments? And how does the department communicate with you on these recruiting topics? Thanks.

Vahe Gregorian: I am only one person and because of that, I will be at basketball, not junior day. We have never covered junior day in the past.

The athletic department is not allowed to talk about recruits, visits, etc per NCAA rules, so no one gets their information from inside the athletic department. We all just work really hard.

Wally: Graham,
One thing I really miss about MU basketball is having some in-state Missouri high school players to root for. It seemed whenever Norm Stewart had his better teams, the star(s) and many core players were products of MO high schools.
Does Coach Anderson have a committment to securing the in-state kids or does he view recruitment differently?

Vahe Gregorian: When Mike Anderson was introduced to the Missouri HS coaches during a breakfast at the Final Four in Indianapolis, the first thing he did was put his cell, work and home numbers on a chalkboard and he invited all of the coaches to call him if they had kids that could play for him.

He wants the in-state kids - has two coming in the summer - but they have to fit the system.

Jeff: Some of your fellow scribes at the P-D suggested Anderson sit the suspended players through the kU and K-state games to show he means business. Do you think this will be the case? If not, what's your prediction for a timetable on their return.
Thanks!

Vahe Gregorian: I think some, not all, will return for Kansas State. But again, I don;t know what's been going on at practice or with Mike Anderson since they've been locking the media out.

David Conrado: What NFL teams do you think would be a perfect fit for Martin Rucker, William Franklin, Pig Brown, Tony Temple...etc.. and also what round do you think they will be taken in?

Vahe Gregorian: I'd like to see Rucker on Green Bay or even the Patriots. I think he'd do well with either of those teams. He needs a prolific passing offense. You know, I think he;d be good on the Giants, too, just buried behind Shockey. (first round)

Franklin, um, probably a team that needs speed like Tampa Bay, Miami or Washington. (fourth round)

Pig Brown could play anywhere. Teams are always looking for good safeties. (I don't know because of the injury)

I'm not sure where I'd put Temple. (undrafted)

Ross: Graham, any idea how the tape delay was supposed to work for the Nebraska game? FSMW was blacked out here (in CoMO) KZOU had the KU v. KSU game on the Big 12 feed. I couldn't find it anywhere.

Vahe Gregorian: I was told it was on KZOU. I guess the channel went with the higher profile game. I'm not sure how all that works. Sorry.

David Conrado: Sorry, 2nd question.. Favorite Larry Smith memory.. or did he leave before your time at Mizzou?

Vahe Gregorian: Oh, he was here when I was in school. Unfortunately, since I was a soccer player, he didn't look too kindly upon me. The memories I have of Larry consist of him chasing us in his golf cart when we walked across the practice field, which were newly planted at the time, to get to the soccer field. He'd tell Bryan Blitz and we'd run extra after practice.

At that time the weight room was where the eatery is now and he used to sit at the windows when we walked to practice and wait for us to step on his field.

Looking back on it, it's kinda funny, but when I was a freshman, I was scared to death of him.

Todd: Graham,
Are the suspended players over the age of 21? Why can't they drink off campus in their apartments like every other scholarship athlete?
What's in store for Mizzou baseball this Spring? Do they have a chance to go to Omaha?

Vahe Gregorian: Yes, all of the suspended players are 21. And, I don't know if you've been out in Columbia lately, but scholarship athletes frequent the bars. It's just that a lot of them don;t get into fight or get knocked out.

Oooo, baseball. My favorite. I wish I had more time to spend with those guys. I always like covering them, but I usually don't get to until May. I think they are going to be really good this year. I was talking to coach Jamieson on New years eve in Dallas and he said he had six guys that would be first-round draft picks. I think they could go to Omaha. I thought they could go last year, but with a year of heartache to deal with, i think they;ll be more focused for it this year.

sugar: Graham, good morning from Arizona (it's 10:20am here).
Thank you again for the opportunity to write. Hope June comes fast enough for you!
Any possible chance of Will Compton changing to Mizzou from Nebraska??
Best Wishes,
Sugar

Vahe Gregorian: I think Compton signs with Nebraska. He wants a chance to play early and that won't happen at Mizzou. He would have been a nice addition, but Mizzou wasn't in dire need of a linebacker this year and could find an equally talented kid for its next recruiting class.

Jack: Graham,

How do we know that Mike Anderson is the right man with recruits like Tyler Griffey choosing Illinois over Missouri primarily because he fits in better with the Illini system that more closely mirrors the NBA than the Richardson/Anderson "40 Minutes of Whatever"?

Vahe Gregorian: We don't know and I don't think we will know for another couple years. things look really bleak right now. I get that. And the Griffey commitment couldn't have been worse timing. But I do think there are a lot of good kids still out there. It's really early.

And defense makes you a valuable asset in the NBA because a lot of guys - at least guys who don't play for the Spurs - don;t play it. So Missouri players could become a commodity.

Dan Gavura: Hey Graham, I heard the recruiting class coming in this year for the basketball team is ranked number two in the Big 12 is that correct. If so do you think they can make a run at the Big Dance next season.

Vahe Gregorian: I haven't seen any team rankings for this year, so I can't verify that. I;m not even sure Rivals does basketball team rankings until the summer. It's a good class, though. MA fills a lot of needs and there's a lot of talent there. I think it's going to be good, but the NCAA Tournament might be a bit optimistic for a team that will be freshman-heavy.

Todd: Any word on what round the NFL had William Moore projected to be drafted in, if he had left school early?

Vahe Gregorian: I was told third or fourth.

Dan Gavura: hey graham, Can you please talk about some of the basketball recruits coming in for the 2008-2009 season and will any of them make a impact this year.

Vahe Gregorian: I;d imagine all of them will see the floor. You have to look at the PG position and maybe even the SG. Guys like Marcus Denmon, Kim English and Miguel Paul will fill needs for the Tigers with the loss of Horton and Hannah. Keon will have to fight for his spot next year because he has done nothing this year to show he's a capable starter.

Steve Moore, Keith Ramsey and Laurence Bowers will work their way into the lineup, but they'll be more important in 2009-10 when Carroll and Lyons are gone. I do think all three will get time. Bowers is supposed to be a solid player and could put Lyons back on the bench if the former Missouri starter continues to mentally struggle.

Todd: What's the status on Charles Gaines? Did he receive the extra year or has he played his last game?

Vahe Gregorian: He will not be back. The NCAA denied his appeal.

Dwayne: By looking at Mizzou's football schedule next year I can see them making it all the way to the Big 12 championship without a loss. I think their biggest threat will be Illinois and Texas, however, I think we will be as good or better next year so we can take them. In your openion, what opponent has the best chance to upset the tigers?

Vahe Gregorian: Illinois is going to have a great shot to beat Mizzou because its good. I think Nevada could be interesting, a little better than Ole Miss or a New Mexico. And then MU has to go to Nebraska, a place it hasn't won in forever and to Texas. I actually thing Mizzou has a tough start to the Big 12 season with Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Texas right in a row. Those will all be challenges. I by no means think this year is going to be a walk for the Tigers.

Bill Scally: Graham,

There was a young lady, Tammy Wilson, who coached women's basketball at UMSL. Do you know what she is doing and where at this time?

I had the pleasure of coaching her in her first year of organized ball and always felt she was an extremely talented player.

Thanks,

Vahe Gregorian: That I don't know. Sorry.

Tyler: Hey Graham,

Just got a comment...I believe that suspending them players did a lot. I could tell by watching the four players on the sideline on Wednesday that all of them wanted to be out there badly...

So to my question..Do you think that maybe if they come back tomorrow, it will have put the hunger in these boys to want to win more than they did? Possibly give us a chance to win tomorrow and a chance to stick with kU on Monday?

Vahe Gregorian: I would like to think this team would play harder with the suspended guys back, but I'm not sure that's the case. If I was one of those players from the other night, I'd still be sore that those guys put me in a position to play 35-plus minutes and cost us a chance at a 3-3 record. Mizzou is staring 2-6 in the face because of those guys, and at 2-6, Mizzou would have to sweep the second half of conference play to make NCAA's or possibly even the NIT.

I think the team will look exactly like it has every other game this year - average with little leadership.

Zach: What do you see as progress for the football team in 2008? A Big 12 Championship? One more win? Or a legitimate shot, again, at the national championship?

Vahe Gregorian: I think if next year's Missouri team can keep the same attitude it had this year, it could have a shot at the national title. I really believe that. I also think it will take the North and beat Oklahoma or whoever in the Big 12 championship.

I'm now an optimist.

Graham Watson: Thanks to everyone who participated. We'll see you next week.