Oregon came calling. Anderson stayed home.

Hey man, have you heard about Mike Anderson and Oregon? Oh no, whats happening? I guess Oregon is attacking him and Anderson is listening. No way!

It's true. Thursday night the University of Missouri gave Oregon permission to have contact with Missouri coach Mike Anderson in El Paso, Texas at a Nolan Richardson Golf invitational.

The Oregon Ducks offered Mike Anderson a $3 Million a year contract to become the next Oregon University Ducks coach. Thats more than what Missouri is paying him. Anderson like before turned down the job to stay in Columbia to coach with the tigers.

For the second year in a row since Missouri won their first Big 12 Championship and advanced to the Elite Eight Mike Anderson had declined big time money from big time programs. Starting from Memphis, Georgia, Alabama, and now Oregon. This, my friend means Anderson wants to be a tiger. He doesnt care about the money right at the moment. There is only one thing Mike Anderson is shooting for at Missouri and thats exactly what he said when he got hired at the press conferance. "I will bring home a National Title, before i'm said and done with Mizzou"

Just a while back their were talks about Mike Anderson leaving Missouri for Arkansas but later on were discoverd there werent any contact between the two schools.

Some Missouri fans have even been caught being mad at Mike Anderson for such a little phase in listening to Oregon. But seriously, what coach in College Baskateball from Roy Williams, Bill Self, and among other greats would not listen to a program who are offering big bucks? I know I would, if I were a coach.

I tell you what, if you would have told me in 2006 the day Missouri hired Mike Anderson that Missouri in two years would make the Elite Eight and win the Big 12 Championship and have the #10 recruiting class in the nation a year later, I would have told you that there is no way it would take Mike Anderson that quick to do that. In fact, after Anderson's first two seasons at Missouri he was put on ESPN'S pre-season hot seat list. But that all turned away after Anderson's Elite Eight run. But at the end Mike Anderson admitted all that did was get him closer to the University of Missouri. He know's where his heart is, and thats at the University of Missouri.

Things are getting wild in Columbia!

Wow! What a class that the Missouri Basketball team is getting for the 2011-2012 season? Or shall we say, What a job Mike Anderson is doing?

If you live in Columbia or near by Columbia, be ready to hear a loud roar. A roar that probably hasn't been heard of for a while. Missouri currently ranks #11 in the newest ESPN recruiting rankings. After signing #13 player at his position in the nation Tony Mitchell and a top 50 player in Phil Pressey. Missouri fans were happy and ready for next season already, but hold up!

On Sunday April 11Th, there were two highly recruited players who signed on to play for Missouri. That add consist of the #1 Junior College player in the nation Ricardo Ratliffe, who was also looking to jump to the pros this year, but rather stay in school for better chances. Also added was another sharp shooter in Matt Pressey.

Now Missouri fans have more on the list of an off-season that they just cannot wait to be over! I know as a die-hard Missouri fan I have NEVER seen a class as good as this one since the days of maybe Gilbert and Rush, and that's pushing it. As MU fans we should probably expect to win the Big 12 next year. I think there are two large areas of concern that may/may not derail those expectations.

This team didn't only get 100 percent more talented but also 100 percent more depth. this could be the deepest bench in the Big 12 next year perhaps one of the top in the nation. Our scoring woes from last year are covered. We had the Defense just not the scoring to support it at times. Pressey, Mitchell, Ratliffe could easily add 40 points a game between the three. It will be exciting next year prepare for some high flying dunks and fast break madness.

This is the kind of team that we need to build up for our first ever Final Four. This team can do it! By and large I think we'll be vastly improved offensively. Our three best offensive players all return and are at the career development point that you would expect a large jump in terms of consistency and effectiveness.

Having low post options will only improve them. This will almost surely be our deepest and most talented team under Anderson. The options we have and the waves of talent we'll be able to throw at people is almost frightening. Its a good position to be in. We've been characterized in that past as a sum greater than its parts that is largely successful by sharing the ball and playing harder than the opposition. It will be interesting to see if that dynamic shifts to a degree this season. But like I said I think the Big 12 is ours to lose next year at this point.

I cannot see any team top to bottom more established with experience,depth, and talent in the Big 12 next year. I'm just in shock right now how quickly the Rattliffe transaction took place. Two weeks ago we were asking why Coach Mike Anderson wasn't going after him. Anyone that hasn't seen Ratliffe play are in for a treat. He is like Ramsey but a ton more talent and a natural scorer. Blocks well plays smart and Rebounding machine. Giving up Stone for him is a no brainer.

So Missouri fans should be very excited and impatient for this 2011-2012 season to approach. But first things are first we must all wait but trust me, it will be worth it.

Way to early Big 12 Predictions.
1. Kansas (Until the can be beat, they deserve a #1 spot)
2. Missouri
3. Kansas State
4. Baylor
5. Texas A&M
6. Texas
7. Oklahoma State
8. Colorado
9. Iowa State
10. Nebraska
11. Oklahoma
12. Texas Tech