On a Throwback Thursday, I wanted to share the program from the 1996 Busch Bragging Rights™ game in St. Louis between Illinois and Mizzou.
Talk about one fun event. The Kiel Center was new and right next to Union Station in St. Louis. The place was buzzing with what seemed like a million people screaming I-L-L...I-N-I and M-I-Z...Z-O-U back and forth at each other. A lot of money was being spent in downtown St. Louis. Everyone was having a good time grabbing some food before the game and soaking in the atmosphere.
This series has seen some awesome games and some great players and two great coaches, Norm Stewart and Lou Henson.
Why do I bring this up? Because the same event could be hosted in KC every year. Why would that be good? First thing, money flowing into downtown. Second, an excuse to have a fun evening between two schools that have severe issues with each other. Third and most importantly, good basketball.
Leadership at both schools need to unwad their panties and get over the fact that Mizzou went SEC. With colleges providing less and less value, the money from TV contracts is only going to make college sports incoherent until the big boys finally think they can break off and create their own unregulated association.
Who's going to man up and take charge and get these two schools playing in the Sprint Center™. I'd pay for a ticket even though I have no interest in either team. It'd be good for college basketball and the KC region.
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