Mizzou's season was a waste

What a waste.

The University of Missouri men's basketball team wasted this season. Forget having the most disappointing season of the year, it was the most disappointing season in the history of the school.

Mizzou could have been playing for a FInal Four berth this weekend. Instead the Tigers will be waiting on the pizza boy to deliver their supper so they can watch on television.

When the All-American list comes out on Wednesday, we won't see Athur Johnson or Ricky Paulding on the list, but we could have.

Oddly enough, during Mizzou's first-round NIT (which stands for Not In Tournament) loss to Michigan last week, I was watching Ricky Clemons on HBO's Real Sports. As much as I wanted to watch the second half of the game, I couldn't tear myself away from the issue with Clemons.

Neither could the Tigers.

On a lighter note, I received a letter from a Southern Ilinois fan last week. In the letter he bet me a steak dinner that SIU would make it out of the first round. He's lucky that I don't take my friend's advice and collect on it.

On second thought, maybe I will take him up on that bet, but remember I like my steak like I like my Salukies: well done.

Today

Today is the first day of outdoor games for high school spring sports. The season kicks off with Jackson visiting Notre Dame for a game of baseball at 4 p.m. Then, Notre Dame hosts Notre Dame of St. Louis at 7 p.m. for a soccer match. Central will host St. Vincent in soccer at 7 p.m.

Wednesday

It may not be a great day for baseball. There's a 30 percent chance we'll see some rain. Let's try anyway. Central opens its season on the road in Chaffee at 4 p.m. Mizzou visits Southeast Missouri State at 6 p.m.

Thursday

The Blues are still clawing and scratching for a playoff spot and, incidentally, they're clinging for a spot in this column. The first 15,000 fans take home Maxwell House coffee mugs when the Blues host the Mighty Ducks at 7 p.m.

Saturday

Doug Friese, the President of Auto Tire and Parts NAPA Racepark Inc., can't wait to begin a new season of racing in Benton, Mo. So the first race of the season starts at 4:30 p.m.

Sunday

You've read about the local products associated with the Show Me Believers Indoor football team in St. Charles, Mo. Now go see them for yourself. The Believers host Atlantic City at 1:30 p.m. at the Family Arena.

David Wilson is a sportswriter for the Southeast Missourian and a student at Central High School. His column appears every Monday.