Alan: What is the deal with Ben Hansbrough? I've heard that he wants to transfer to Mizzou, but we don't have any available scholarships. Would he just have to pay his way during the year he sits out and then we'll give him a scholarship after that?

Vahe Gregorian: I don't think he's going to end up at Mizzou becuase of the scholarship situation. He would have to pay for another year, but I think he'll have better options if he goes somewhere else.

mike barnett: do you expect good things from jimmy jackson this year?

Vahe Gregorian: I do, however, I fear that he might have already lost his starting job to Derrick Washington, who has been outstanding this spring. Jackson is the steady back and will get his fair share of carries. I think he'll also be used on goal line situations.

Dan: Besides Aaron Crow, what other Tigers might get drafted in June?

Thanks

Vahe Gregorian: Jacob Priday, might have a chance as well as Ryan Lollis. You know, Ian Berger has also made quite the case to be drafted with some great pitching this year. Kurt Calvert could also have a chance in a late round.

Gtrain: Graham:

Thank you for your excellent reporting and insight into Mizzou athletics.

Has there been any new developments in the Ben Hansbrough to Mizzou story?

Also, did you notice (I'm sure you did) that the two basketball coaches MU snubbed during the hiring process in 1999 were the very same two who were playing for this year's NCAA Basketball National Championship? This has nothing to do with taking a cheap shot at CMA as so many people like to do but I'd have to say Mr. Alden probably wishes for a do over on that 1999 decision for obvious reasons. http://archive.columbiatribune.com/1999/apr/19990405spor12.htm

Vahe Gregorian: No new developments in the Hansbrough story. The decision will probably be made before the end of the school year, and my gut says he doesn't end up at Mizzou.

And yeah, I noticed...

Kenny: Hi Graham,
Two questions. First, do you know when the segment on Chase Daniel is going to be on Sportscenter? My understanding was that they were planning a segment separate to the spring game that would air on Sportscenter but maybe I missed it already.

Second, I recall you mentioning an upcoming article on the incoming bball recruits. Is that still happening or did I miss that too?

Thanks.

Vahe Gregorian: It might be on the morning SportsCenter to preview the game on ESPNU. I haven't seen it either and didn't get a chance to ask Chase about it.

The article about some of the incoming recruits will probably run around the time they arrive on campus.

Snake: Graham, thanks again for your help. Cloudson is sick and recovering from post-op surgery. But, he would like to know your thoughts on the Black and Gold game this Saturday. While the audience on ESPNU enjoy the show? Will the fans enjoy the show?

Vahe Gregorian: I think everyone will enjoy the first half because it's the starters and Chase Daniel already said he's going to throw the ball around quite a bit. The second half? Well, it's a running clock...

Sorry to hear Cloudson had surgery. Best wishes.

PH: Any truth to the rumor that Mizzou basketball will start the season in P. Rico tournament??

Vahe Gregorian: Hmmm... I think that's more than a rumor. I just don't want to jinx it. My luck, I won't get to go because of football.

Thomas Phillips: Graham,

Thanks so much for the great job on covering Mizzou sports! Are any of the other athletic programs at Mizzou having similar problems (i.e. football and basketball teams) with their athletes getting in to trouble with the legal system? Thanks!

Vahe Gregorian: That stuff happens all over the country. I think Mizzou fans are just accutely sensitive to it. MU is no different than Florida or USC or Lambuth. When you're dealing with that many kids across athletics there are bound to be some incidents. They're still college kids.

Snake: Graham, thanks again for the help. Where were you last week? Cloudson had surgery last Friday and is recovering, some well wishes from you would make him very happy. But, he is wondering whether Mizzou and ESPN realize that the Black and Gold game is the same day as the first Passover seder? It makes it difficult for the Alpha Epsilon Pi alums to make it to CoMo for the game and still get home in time for gefilte fish!

That being said, who are the "under the radar" players that you are looking forward to seeing on the field this Saturday?

Vahe Gregorian: You know, I would tell you some of the "under the radar" players but then you wouldn't read my preview tomorrow. You'll have to wait until you get the paper. I will say that one of them is St. Louis' own De'Vion Moore. He's been fantastic this spring.

terry wingbermuehle: What does the football recruiting look like?
Are they going after any high profile recruits outside of Misouri and Texas?

Vahe Gregorian: Football recruiting is a little slow right now because players are getting ready for camp and such. Mizzou will have a couple kiods in for the spring game and I think a fair amount of guys from the incoming class will be at the spring game.

Mizzou is always going after high profile guys, especially now that they're ranked. Again, it's early.

Graham Watson: OK. I have an exterminator here right now. I'm logging off and I'll be back in a few.

Graham Watson: OK, back. Couldn't find parking downtown. We're now live from Shiloh in Columbia.

HEG: Do you think the future for coach Anderson is short-lived????? He is yet to get to NCAA post season tournament!!!! The previous coach got to 2 post season tournaments.

Vahe Gregorian: Well, Quin inherited a lot more talent than CMA did. Give CMA time. I really believe he can turn the program around. And as I've said all along, I reserve judgment until 2010.

atphysics: I believe Pinkel has managed (sometimes to the disappointment of fans) to keep the same coordinators in place during his entire tenure at MU. It seems likely that at some point one or both of them will move on to their own head coaching gigs. What happens then? Do they have underlings that are well versed in Pinkel's style and system that will step up when that day comes? Or will Pinkel look outside for those replacements? If someone comes in from the outside, will some of the chemistry of the program be lost? Love your coverage. Thanks.

Vahe Gregorian: Well, Mizzou finds new coordinators. GP will probably promote within and then hire guys who have a history in the spread system. Eventually, the birds will have to fly away from the nest.

atphysics: How long has Dave Yost been with Pinkel? I thought I read somewhere that he came more from an education background than a coaching background. Do you know if that is the case? He doesn't seem like the typical football coach. Can you tell us anything more about him? I would love to see a story just about Yost.

Vahe Gregorian: You know, I think USA Today did a big story about him. Yost has been with GP since becoming a grad assistant at Toledo in 1996. I'm not sure what his playing experience is, but I think it's limited.

Travis: Graham,

Since Missouri is about to end there spring practice with the Black and Gold Game who do you think will be the starting running back. I read the other day that JJ said it doesn't matter because the are all going to be playing anyway.

Vahe Gregorian: He's right, they'll all play. I honestly don;t know at this point. I thought it would be Jimmy's position going into fall camp, but D Wash has had a great spring. I wouldn't read anything into who starts on Saturday. I think it will be split (like Temple and Woods did a couple years ago) until someone emerges.

Mr. RN: Do you think that Mike Anderson has the b-ball team on course for a turnaround ? It seems that Gary Pinkel has gotten the football program headed in the right direction & it would be great to see the b-ball program head in the same direction.

Vahe Gregorian: I think basketball is going to be fine. GP didn't turn football around in a night and he inherited some of the same problems. Everyone has to give this thing time. After 2010 we can crucify him.

doyle: hi grahm, any news on the basketball recruiting front?
are the tigers front runners for anyone at this time?
thank you

Vahe Gregorian: You know, basketball recruiting has been kinda quiet. Names such as Fred Gulley, Michael Snaer, Mike Dixon are there, but there's a juco from Miami Dade that could be a possibility as well. Don't have his name in front of me.

Brian: In your opinion, what effect have the various brushes with police by teammates over the past months had on the remaining players ? Have any players taken a more vocal leadership role as a result & how do you think this negativity impacts the perception of the team nationally & locally in the Columbia area ?

Vahe Gregorian: I think the team is fine. The Wuebbels' thing was not really a big deal. If he hadn't reached under his dash, it wouldn't have even been reported. When you have 80-plus kids, there's bound to be some trouble some time. It's just the way it is. I don't think it's cause for concern. And Missouri has had good leaders since last year. I don't think anyone is saying any more than they were before.

Brian: If Jeremy Maclin really has improved, how in the world would the average fan ever be able to tell that in a game ? Is he going to start playing defense, too ?

Vahe Gregorian: I think you'll see him make smarter plays, be able to shake more defenders, and just be more dynamic than he was last year. I know it's hard to think of that happening, but we've seen it throughout spring practice.

John: Graham,
Any hunches on what recruits, if any, will commit in the near future to the football team? Thanks-John

Vahe Gregorian: You can never really predict that kind of stuff, but I know a couple of the guys out of St. Louis are close. Most will go through summer camps before making their decision, though.

ted cox: good morning graham. love your work. Sounds like the D line is starting to shape up. Maples and Keck still improving, your take?

Vahe Gregorian: Keck is a lot better than he was during bowl practices, but still not where he could overtake Chavis. Maples, I think he's hit a plateau. I really haven't seen him get much better than before. I'm partial to Hamilton and Resonno filling the interior line.

dsp763: Does Mizzou have any kind of working relationship with the Columbia PD in reguards to maybe having an Officer give a presentation on the pitfalls of acting out in Columbia Mo. ? It sure seems like some of the problems we see kids getting into could be averted if a required seminar on how to stay out of trouble was given by the people whos job it is to enforce good citizenship.

Vahe Gregorian: Again, this is magnified because it's football, but man, this stuff happens all over campus and on every campus in America. I don't think Mizzou is unique. For the most part, this program is leaps and bounds from where it was when Pinkel took over.

Graham Watson: Done and done. Thanks for the patience. See you next week.