KU vs. Mizzou

Originally posted by JoeinEscazú
A few points:

*Missouri and Kansas have been playing each other since 1891. If we want to go way back, the hatin’ itself goes back to the violence of the 1850s.

*The Big 12 has only been around since 1996 and will only last as long as Texas and Oklahoma want it to.

*Missouri and Kansas have been in the same conference since 1907 (Missouri Valley then Big 8). It’s been a long time, but the rivalry started before that.

First of all, while it would be naïve to say that it wasn’t about money, a major factor in the move was stability. The Big 12 looks like a sinking ship -- it still does -- and to the MUs, KUs, ISUs, KSUs of the world, that is a scary prospect. Money is one part of that, the threat of one day being shunted to a much less profitable conference. The days when we could re-form the Big 8 into something respectable were gone, especially since Colorado and Nebraska had already flown. Then there is the question: How much BS from Texas are you guys going to put up with? Every other conference has true equal revenue sharing and is at least looking at a conference TV network like the one that’s making the Big 10 so much cash. Texas will never let it happen. Considering that context, and the strongest conference in the country comes along and says, "psst, we might have a spot for you..."

But I didn’t answer your question. No, I’m not wild about leaving the Big 12 for the SEC. But that’s mainly because I’m a hoops fan first and I think this year’s edition of the Big 12 is the best basketball conference in the land. I loved getting rid of dead weight Colorado and Nebraska for a tough, round-robin format, and I wish it could have stayed that way. Instead, we get it for just one season. I consider us seriously lucky that both Missouri and Kansas are really strong this year... these are going to be some great, memorable games.

I should say that most MU fans I know are ecstatic about the move. Football has become much more popular than basketball at Mizzou and that’s what has fueled this... When they saw an opportunity for the SEC, the football-loving alumni made their preference known, loud and clear.

I think what must drive Kansas crazy is it has this incredible basketball tradition, but that appears impotent in a world now driven by football TV money. I could understand that. What I don’t understand is why people equate Missouri leaving the Big 12 with Missouri leaving the rivarly. They are not at all the same thing. The Mizzou AD has consistently said it wants to keep playing its rivals.

Originally posted by JoeinEscazú
How much BS from Texas are you guys going to put up with? Every other conference has true equal revenue sharing and is at least looking at a conference TV network like the one that’s making the Big 10 so much cash. Texas will never let it happen. Considering that context, and the strongest conference in the country comes along and says, "psst, we might have a spot for you..."

Originally posted by JoeinEscazú
I loved getting rid of dead weight Colorado and Nebraska for a tough, round-robin format, and I wish it could have stayed that way. Instead, we get it for just one season. I consider us seriously lucky that both Missouri and Kansas are really strong this year... these are going to be some great, memorable games.

Originally posted by JoeinEscazú
I should say that most MU fans I know are ecstatic about the move. Football has become much more popular than basketball at Mizzou and that’s what has fueled this... When they saw an opportunity for the SEC, the football-loving alumni made their preference known, loud and clear.

Originally posted by JoeinEscazú
What I don’t understand is why people equate Missouri leaving the Big 12 with Missouri leaving the rivarly. They are not at all the same thing. The Mizzou AD has consistently said it wants to keep playing its rivals.

>I should say that most MU fans I know are ecstatic about the move.

Then I guess those boosters should have spoken up when the pro-SEC koolaid drinkers were mounting their I-will-pull-donation s-if-we-stay-in-Bi g-12-but-increase- if-we-go-to-SEC phone and email campaign.

I sent a couple emails saying "um, gosh, hey guys, maybe we should think this through" but I guess they weren’t sexy enough. Should have threatened to pull my non-existent donations.