Graham Watson: Morning everyone. I'm going to start a tad early today because I have to go to MU Pro Day this afternoon.

mizzoufan1: Now that the Basketball season is basically over, can we please talk about a couple/three other sports that are doing well over at Missouri? I am talking about the Wrestling team (who has the Conf. Tournament this weekend and is hosting the NCAA meet in St. Louis in a couple of weeks), the Gymnastics team (who is in the hunt for a Top regional seeding) and the Baseball team (who has a high national ranking and has a four game set with Indiana State this weekend at Simmons Field?

What are your thoughts on these great stories going on right now at MU?

Vahe Gregorian: I'm a big fan of the wrestling and baseball teams. I will admit that I probably don't know as much about the gymnastics team as I probably should. However, the success of these sports is really nothing new. All three were good last year, but I think people were still wrapped up in the basketball intrigue to notice. You could also throw softball in there. The softball team played seven games last week and won all of them.

Wrestling: Obviously, the loss of All-American Ben Askren has hurt this team, but I think there are a lot of talented guys who have picked up the slack. I don't think they're going to win the conference, but I do think the two-week layoff between their last meet and now couldn't have come at a better time. There were a couple guys nursing injuries. I really like Max Askren, Raymond Jordan and Tyler McCormick to win their weights. Wagner might have a chance as well.

Baseball: Home opener this weekend. The Friday game has been canceled, but there will be a doubleheader on Sunday. This might be the best sport on campus right now. There are high expectation for this team and so far the baseball team has lived up to them. This is a team that's led by its pitching, but I think the hitters have done a great job manufacturing runs. There hasn't been a lot of power, but they've drawn a lot of walks and hbp's.

Gymnastics: Lost by a point in their last meet to nationally-ranked Michigan team. Although I know little about the team, I know Adrianne Perry is awesome. She won the all-around in that meet and didn't even win an event. They're at Illinois this weekend and I think they have three more meets before the Big 12 Tournament.

That was a really long question...

Dan-KC: Hi Graham,

Can you say if BB prospect Dixon is still as on MU as months prior. I would hope he is just taking visits for the sake of visits?

And any speculation on who/when might be MA first commitment for 09'.

Also, if you had to guess...will Ronnie Wingo end up a Tiger?

thanks!!!

Vahe Gregorian: I actually emailed with him late last week and as of then he was still considering Mizzou. He's been to a couple games already this season. I think he's visiting Purdue this weekend.

If I had to guess, Dixon would be the Tigers first commitment of 2009. I think the Tigers are going to have to fight to get a lot of the other big names on their recruiting board.

I don't know what to think about Wingo. I think the Tigers are in his final decision, but I don't know whether he ends up in Columbia. He's spoken highly of Mizzou every time I've asked, and it helps that he's good friends with T.J. Moe, who's a big MU lean.

Brett G.: Ok Graham, what's the deal with Marshall Brown? I've always liked the guy and thought he played hard all the time. Is their something behind the scenes with CMA and him? 10 minutes last night? Hardly any playing time throughout the season. I thought he should've been starting over Matt Lawrence all year. I just hate to see a guy like him go out like that his senior year.

Vahe Gregorian: Marshall Brown just isn't that good. I know we all thought he was going to be the next star player for the Tigers, but he never lived up to expectations. He's soft on the boards, he doesn't finish well. He's not the tough player Anderson loves (see DeMarre Carroll).

And CMA loves Matt Lawrence. The kid works hard. He hit a couple big 3's last night and he's been getting rebounds. I will say he's a liability on defense just because he's not quick enough to keep up with a lot of the guards in the conference (see Baylor).

John Steffens: I was just curious as to how Mike Anderson is doing with recruiting. I can't find much but it looks like we have a couple decent players coming in for next season. When we first hired him, I was unsure if Anderson would be able to bring in elite players to play in his type of system. Your thoughts? Thank you very much.

Vahe Gregorian: You know, I've been chatting with the big names on Missouri's list (that I know about) and it's been pretty quiet. He's got his name in with some of the nation's best players, so it's going to be hard to bring those kids in. He already lost Griffey and Cousins for the 2009 class. Other big names include Michael Snaer and Fred Gulley. I do think there might be a local kid or two in the mix (I don't have names yet). At least one member of the coaching staff will be at the state tourney at Mizzou Arena. It's still fairly early, it will be time to worry if the summer comes and he doesn't have a commitment.

Snake: Graham, thanks again. Instead of calling it "Forty Minutes of Hell," Cloudson is fond of calling it "Forty Minnutes of, Hell, I may as Well Just go to Sleep." How do you stay awake during the games?

Vahe Gregorian: Well, I'm usually on deadline during the night games, so I'm usually typing during the second half. The afternoon games are a different story. I actually don't mind watching the team. Yeah, it's frustrating at times, but I'm a huge college sports fan and there's going to be a time when I won't have the opportunity to watch bad basketball. I have to savor this. I also have to be mindful of my expressions in case I'm caught on TV. I got a couple text messages from friends during the Kansas State game.

MS: Hi, Graham,

I am curious about your thoughts on what changes are needed in the basketball program. I get the feeling that the players do not have a very good relationship with Coach Anderson (even most of the guys who didn't get suspended a few weeks ago). They either haven't bought into his system, don't feel comfortable with him or something. I am concerned that we will never be successful unless there is a stronger bond there. I think Coach Anderson is a great guy, but he doesn't seem to instill the kind of loyalty in his players that other coaches do. What do you think needs to change for us to be an exciting, competitive team again? I don't think just getting rid of the seniors will do it.

Vahe Gregorian: I think most of the guys are fine with CMA. I do think it takes a certain person with a certain mentality to play for him. You can;t be a guy who takes things personally. You have to have thick skin. Keon, DeMarre, J.T., Matt, Justin, these are guys who can handle what Anderson has to dish out. Leo, well, I think we know the answer to that. Some guys just respond to coaching in different ways. But I think the tough love - when used on the right guy - can bring out a better plays. I mean, look at Keon, J.T. and DeMarre and how they've changed throughout the year.

I really feel like this team is going to be better next year. I really do. I think the right players will be leaders and they'll be able to instill a positive attitude in the incoming freshmen that maybe wasn't given to guys like Keon and J.T. and even Matt when he first got here.

MizzouMarv: Exciting game last night if not pretty. Good thing it was ISU since we still didn't finish the regulation or 1st OT very well. I had every intention of going, but as the day wore on I started thinking about mediocre team, 250 miles @ $3/gallon, getting home @ midnight and getting up for work. I say this not to justify me being a "bad" fan, but to ask an attendance question. I remember the 1st couple of years of Mizzou Arena was "sold out" even if ticket holders didn't show up. Is that still the case or have season tickets dropped to such a level that what we see in the stands correlates with ticket sales? There doesn't seem to be much of a "home court advantage". Is it mostly a Columbia crowd or do folks from "out-state" attend. If I lived in Columbia I would attend a lot of games, but they would have to be better to get me to drive from STL.

Vahe Gregorian: I thought Mizzou finished regulation very well. They were a roll to the left from winning the game...

Season tickets were still sold out for this season. I'm not sure that's going to be the case for next year. I think this team is going to have to prove itself to get it's fans back. And honestly, why buy season tickets when you can get them at the box office for $10 and more often than not you can upgrade your seat to the lower bowl at halftime.

I think a lot of people who attend games are Columbia folks and die-hard fans. Even the students don't show up anymore. I saw one doing her homework during the game last night. That's how it's going to be for awhile. Like I said, Mizzou is going to have to win its fans back. I mean, if the No. 4-ranked football team can't sell out, how do you expect the low-level basketball team to fill seats?

David Conrado: Graham..do you think Coach Stein's job is safe? Do you think Alden will give her another year to turn it around, or is time to find someone new? I read recently that the softball team played a game in the Devine Pavillion. Do you think it would be possible to configure the pavillion to hold baseball games should inclement weather make holding a game outdoors impossible? I dont think Ive ever recalled a college baseball being played indoors before (at least not one held in a pro facility like the Metrodome or Tropican Field).

Vahe Gregorian: That's an interesting question, David. If I had to hazard a guess and go on what this athletic department has done in the past, I would say Stein gets one more season to turn the women's basketball team around. She had a ton of freshmen this year and they should show improvement next season. Her fate isn't actually up to Alden. He yields to Sarah Reesman (Associate AD) when dealing with women's sports. She fought to keep soccer coach Bryan Blitz on an extra year and he was Big 12 COY. So, who knows. I think personally think Stein gets another year, but I wouldn't be surprised if she got the boot. It's been awhile since that team has done anything positive.

You would have to rebuild the Pavilion to play baseball in there. It's just not big enough. Baseball practices in there sometimes and almost every fly ball goes off the roof or the walls.

I want to say a few years ago baseball played on an underground indoor field back when I was in school. Maybe I'm just making this up, or maybe I'm thinking softball. I just remember being told about it while I was in school. If anyone knows what I'm talking about...

Kiwi: All year long I have had the same question. I love Marshall Brown's game, What happend this year? Do you have a clue, was it a injury, attitude, lazy, mental, or just problems with the coaching staff? I shur missed his game this year.

Vahe Gregorian: Boy, Marshall's popular today. See my answer to this question below.

Dave: Graham, Do you think if Coach A would maybe blow a gasket, just once, the officials would quit calling everything against us. We are out free pitched every game. I know pressure defense blah, blah. It just looks like officials don't respect him. Your thoughts. Thanks.

Vahe Gregorian: I think the officials have been bad all around this year. It's not just Missouri, though it looks that way a lot of the time. At Baylor, Missouri got a ton of calls it probably shouldn't have. And that charge/offensive foul call in the second overtime of last night's game was a little suspect, too. Iowa State coach Greg McDermott all but chased an official out of the arena after the game. Big 12 officiating has gone into the tank this year, and I'm not sure why.

Rodney: Graham, I was wondering if you have heard anything about MU installing a goaline/short yardage offense with the QB under center? Thanks!

Vahe Gregorian: I'll be able to better answer that question when spring football starts. It wouldn't surprise me if they made some adjustments for the goal line, but I won't know until spring starts.

Rashad Fields: Morning Graham,
Love your work. What happened to me? Who did I sign with? I don't seem to recall...

Rashad

Vahe Gregorian: Gosh, I'm fairly certain you ended up with Arkansas State.

Tigers Stink: I never could have believed MU basketball could be as irrelevant as it is now - 5 years with no tournament. I could not be less impressed with CMA (the C is for Clown, by the way). He starts 2008-09 on a VERY hot seat, do you agree?

Vahe Gregorian: Mizzou will make some sort of postseason tourney this year. A win at Oklahoma and it's probably the NIT.

I don't know if CMA is on the hot seat next year. I don't think so. I think he needs to show improvement next year - I think he will - but the year after that will be crucial. You have to remember, Missouri is no longer going to be quick to fire a guy anymore. Not after what GP was able to do with football. Mike Anderson gets a longer grace period than a lot of coaches probably get. But he has to show improvement. GP showed improvement every year after 2004. I honestly think this year's MU basketball team is better than it was last year. I know, less wins, but they played a tougher schedule. The Tigers also have a lot more big wins this year. I think 2010-11 is the judgment year.

Rodney J.: Graham,

Do you see Trey Hobson overtaking Castine Bridges at cornerback? I've been hearing so much about this kid, I can't wait to actually see him play.

Thanks

Vahe Gregorian: I'm really looking forward to seeing what Trey Hobson can do. I too have been hearing a lot about him and his athletic ability. I'm not sure he can overtake Castine. He probably won't during the spring, but he'll put the pressure on and could be a force come camp. Castine played well down the stretch last year and seemed to get better every game. I actually think he'll be a lot better than he was last year.

Todd: Graham,
Did you ever hear anything else from TJ Sinovich? He pitched at Desmet, went to Arkansas State transferred to Mizzou. Was on their starting pitching staff last year and then I believe he blew his arm out?
Thanks.

Vahe Gregorian: He was on the team in like 2005-06, wasn't he? He came over with Brock Bond from Arkansas. I'm not sure where he ended up. I'm honestly not sure he ever recovered from his arm injury. I know that he's no longer with the Tigers. Sorry, that's the best I got.

Rashad Fields: Arkansas State?!? No wonder I couldn't remember. I've obviously blocked out the memory. Thanks for reminding me...

Vahe Gregorian: Well, options were limited after Ole Miss dissed you. I think you'll do good things at a small school. There's got to be at least one NFL player from Arkansas State. Maybe two.

Graham Watson: Thanks for the chat everyone. We'll talk to you next week. Happy Pro Timing Day.