Martin, Missouri men’s basketball focused on 2019-20 season even with renewal of Border War
October 28, 2019 | Sports,
By Logan Reinhart
The Border War is back.
If you look back on some of the greatest moments in Mizzou sports history many of them feature games against Mizzou’s greatest- rivals Kansas Jayhawks. Before there was The Battle Line rivalry, the biggest games of the season came against Kansas. In 2012, Mizzou overcame an 8-point deficit to win the last ever official border war.
Fans and players alike said they are excited for the renewed rivalry.
“Our guys are excited for it once again, it’s a great thing for the fans, for the players and for even the state,” head coach Cuonzo Martin said.
Missouri has had some trouble the last few years developing a healthy roster- especially in a 13-15 campaign a year ago. This year, Martin says is team is healthy.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we had 3 exhibition matches just because we want to face someone else,” Martin said.
Martin said he hopes to guide his team to competing not only in the Southeastern Conference, but also keeping pace with Kansas. Even with the announcement of the rivalry renewal, Martin said doesn’t want his team to be focused on it alone, but have the same energy that fans did for every game as they did for the announcement.
“I would like to think that every game played on this court means the same for everyone not just about who we’re playing,” Martin said.
Missouri is picked to finish 13th in the preseason SEC men’s basketball poll. in the league. Martin said he disagrees with the ranking, but said it doesn’t affect how he coaches his team.
“For me it doesn’t change, I mean if I was In a uniform it would be different and I would say if we finish 13th in the league this would be one of the best leagues in basketball.”
Missouri tips off the 2019-20 season at home against Incarnate Word Nov. 6. You can hear the game live on KCOU 88.1 FM. The Tigers face off against the Bill Self-led Jayhawks on Dec. 12, 2020.
Edited by Garrett Jones | sports@kcou.fm