Unconsciously, we all LOOK all around—FORWARD, BACKWARD AND SIDEWAYS.. That’s very true in the sports world. Take a look….

….@ Mizzou, where they’re LOOKING FORWARD –the hopes of a winning 2023 season gains momentum at this time of year. At the same time, others are LOOKING BACKWARD at the record of Eli Drinkwitz and wondering IF and WHEN, he can deliver. In 3 seasons, Coach Drink has posted a 5-5, 6-7, 6-7 records. A career record of 17-19 @ MU.  Barry Odum, Drinkwitz’s predecessor, led the Tigers in 4 years to marks of 4-8, 7-6, 8-5, 6-6 records. That 27-25 record led him out the door. As Coach Drink & MU administration LOOK FORWARD and realize that MU has to “step up” their game in the SEC. …Heartbreaking losses in 2022 for MU that could have easily been wins except for a play or 2. ‘22 saw MU drop tight games to #1 Georgia 26-22; Auburn in OT, Florida 24-17 and Kentucky 21-17. Even if MU just splits those games, instead of losing all 4 games, their record would be 8-4. LOOKING FORWARD, the 2023 season should have 3 sure wins in the first 4 games. Their lone “real” opponent in the first 4 games is K-State. The 40-12 K-State loss in ’22 @ Manhattan Kansas should be a great reminder that the K-ST game isn’t a “gimme”. But MU can beat them! Being optimistic, with that early 4 win start IN ‘23, the Tigers only need to go 5-3 in the SEC to  push their record to 9-3! That idea poses  losses  to Georgia, LSU, & Tennessee. It can be done! A 9-3 record (pre-bowl) is possible—GO MU!

… LOOKING BACKWARD at the 22-23 season, the Billikens saw difficulty with taller teams. LOOKING FORWARD, the Bills have brought in more height–SLU has five incoming scholarship players who are 6-7 or taller after losing two seniors to graduation and a freshman transfer. An unexpected boost was 7-1 center from China, Bruce Zhang. Zhang emerged out of the nowhere to choose SLU shortly after he arrived in the U.S. from China. At the point guard position, where Yuri Collins has graduated, Frosh Cian Medley has been signed to fill the role of the “true” point guard that Yuri filled so well @ SLU. SLU seems to have really expanded it’s “reach” in recruiting. For example, JR Forward Bradley Ezewiro has signed with the Billikens. He already has stints @ LSU & Georgetown.  Hopefully, 3rd time is a charm for him & SLU😊 In addition to Bruce Zang from China, the Billikens have brought in Stef van Bussel (from Netherlands) & Abou Magassa from France. Sooo…the Billikens have really extended their reach in recruiting, let’s hope that it “pays off” for SLU.

…LOOKING SIDEWAYS @ the MLB. The Cardinals, and all other MLB teams apparently, had a Sunday as an off-day.  For decades, the Weekend dates were the prime “drawing” dates for the MLB teams. That was the case since many, maybe most, workers had both or at least 1, of the weekend days off.   It really demonstrates  (again) that the MLB is playing up to the preferences of the networks—streaming and/or cable networks.

…LOOKING FORWARD to the MLS soccer approach to the playoffs. 9 teams will qualify for the post-season play. It seems like a lot of teams to me since the Western Conference only has 14 teams & the Eastern Conference 15 teams. The #8 and #9 teams will face each other to grab the final 8th spot in the Conference Tournament in a preliminary Round. That Prelim Round 1 will be a best of 3 series!!  The Conference Semifinals  and Conference Finals will be Nov 25-Dec 3 in single elimination games.  The MLS Cup will be held Dec. 9. It’s a long, long season—the 1st game of this season was February 25!! A 10-month season! I realize that generally it’s just 1 game a week and there seemed to be several “off weeks” throughout the season. ST Louis loves soccer so it could be played every week all year long….but I’m wondering about the feelings in other cities with the stop & start mode of the playoffs. In Europe that style has worked for decades but….there isn’t any other major sports contesting for fans at the same level. In the USA, there is plenty of sports competing for fans. In StL, it won’t matter, the City  stadium will stay packed. I’m not so sure that same feeling holds true in some other cities as the MLS “butts up” against College Football & NFL games.

…LOOKING SIDEWAYS @ NCAA M-Basketball recruiting for spring 2023, the SEC performed at their usual high level job. Kentucky was rated as having the #1 class of the USA (obviously then #1 in SEC); 2nd in SEC was Georgia(#14 in USA);3rd in the SEC was Tennessee (#17 in USA); @#19 in USA & #4 in SEC was Alabama and jumping way up to #5 in SEC and posting a #23  rank in the entire USA was Mizzou!  Yes—Mizzou! HC Dennis Gates has shown that he definitely belongs on the list of top USA Coaches. His style of play, his demeanor on the sideline, the discipline of the players, his recruiting and his W-L record have driven him quickly toward the top of the coaching ranks. Mizzou should be thrilled to have him and pay him accordingly.

…LOOKING FORWARD @ NCAA Football, the first thing that strikes me is all the changes in conferences by multiple teams.  The Big 10 conference (was generally one of the Midwest conferences) has added Univ of Oregon and Univ of Washington (in Seattle). MORE LOOKING FORWARD–this was a HUGE step for U of Washington. They had been affiliated with Pac 8-10-12 whatever since 1916! Washington was 11-2 last year, Tied for 2nd in Pac 10 and won the Alamo bowl. Meanwhile Oregon, who currently develops innovative offensive ideas & schemes in football. Oregon has also been in this PAC 8-10-12 conference since 1916. The Ducks have been in 6 straight bowl games in 6 years.

…..LOOKING FORWARD–Both these teams will complete the Pac 12 competition this year and transfer to the Big 10 in 23-24 year. Why the Moves?  I can’t say for sure, but I’m thinking that the Big 10 will REALLY be extending their televised coverage across the country by adding these 2 strong football schools. Don’t kid yourself—football money is King when looking for new sources of income!  Sooo….more money coming into the conference  from all new viewing areas is beneficial for all the universities in that conference.

…Still LOOKING FORWARD in NCAA Football, you can assume that the other Pac 12…now Pac 10 or less, teams are looking to move on to a new conference. Apparently, the ACC and the Big 12 have open arms for any newcomers. There WILL BE MORE MOVES in the NCAA Ranks, probably in the next couple weeks or months.

….LOOKING SIDEWAYS @ THE MLB… I think we give too much credit to the players for the base-running skills.  Some of them seem like they need to be coached like little-leaguers. Here’s an extreme example that just happened last week. Reese McGuire (Red Sox) was in the midst of a BoSox rally in the 9th inning. He was on 2b with 1 out trailing 5-4. When Connor Wong banged out a high fly ball to CF, McGuire, thinking that it was going off the wall,  took off from 2b and never stopped running towards Home Plate. Meanwhile, the ball didn’t carry to the wall or up against the wall. It was caught by Kevin Kiermaier on the warning track. As he approached the plate after sprinting around the bases, McGuire threw up his arm in celebration still not realizing that it had been caught! How about the 3b Coach?  Well…. 3b Coach-Carlos Febles apparently ALSO got caught up in the excitement of the moment and was enthusiastically waving him around towards HP. The Blue Jays were easily able to double up McGuire @ 2B to end the game on a 7-4 double play! LOOKING FORWARD…I’D FIRE the 3b Coach. THAT IS HIS SOLE JOB to watch the ball and guide the runner. WOW!

……As I am LOOKING BACKWARD @ the growth of the Buzz. I want to thank all of you for the read & relaying to others. I’m LOOKING FORWARD to even more growth. Please spread the word.

…I’ve been receiving around 20ish responses each week…send your own idea. It’s YOUR idea—we all have different ideas. It doesn’t make only one the right answer or feeling for a situation. All responses are posted on my Facebook page. Or, you can post them yourself. They are Always… very interesting!! THANK YOU for your read!  Bob