While the baseball team is busy winning games, and the football team has just wrapped up an eventful spring with the Black and Gold game, the Missouri Tigers basketball team hosted a banquet Monday to bid the most recent season goodbye and as sort of a primer for the 2015 season to honor the players for their individual success.
During this annual banquet held each spring, the Missouri coaching staff hands out out recognition to their personnel for their ability on the basketball court. This year saw several freshmen raking in awards as the many members of the program gathered for lunch and speeches from members of the staff.
Freshman forward Jakeenan Gant was recognized for the Ultimate Teammate award– which is not what many would call surprising. Also a given was freshman guard Montaque Gill-Caesar being honored for being the program’s freshman scoring leader. With 9.1 points per game during this previous season, Gill-Caesar had the highest scoring mark for a Tiger freshman since the 2006-07 season.
Other awards given were Ryan Rosburg’s scholar athlete award, while Wes Clark was handed the best defensive player award. Clark’s is deserving, even if he wasn’t able to find his groove offensively much at all last season, he did show his chomps on the defensive side– and we know Missouri head coach Kim Anderson knows his defense. It will be interesting to see if Clark is able to progress offensively to become a more key player. Regardless, Anderson would love to see him improve even more on the defensive side.
Feb 24, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Montaque Gill-Caesar (13) goes for a basket over Florida Gators forward Devin Robinson (3) during the second half at Mizzou Arena. The Missouri Tigers defeated the Florida Gators 62-54. Mandatory Credit: Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports
Perhaps the least surprising is Namon Wright’s award for best three point shooter, after he shot 38.8 percent from beyond the arch.
It was good to see a Missouri Tigers basketball event with an aura of positivity to it. After suffering through such a tough season, in wich they finished dead last in the SEC, it is a much needed break from the disparaging post-season bleeding that has watched several players and coaches exit for for greener pastures.
The Tigers players and coaches spoke candidly about their intent to improve things next year. While they didn’t straight up turn around and say, “We were terrible last season,” they know what kind of daunting task lies in front of them.
But for now, it’s about looking ahead, not wallowing around in the past. No bad series of events ever got fixed by being stuck looking backwards. This program may have a bumpy road ahead, but at least they as a team are remaining positive, upbeat and excited for things to come.
No news yet on whether or not the “banquet beer” was served at this banquet.