Believe it or not, college basketball gets underway this weekend as official practice begins for programs around the country. There is great optimism locally for both the University of Missouri and Saint Louis U. programs heading into the season.
The ESPN cameras will be in Columbia, Mo. on Saturday night for Missouri’s opening practice at The Mizzou Arena. ESPNU’s Midnight Madness Tip-Off program will feature the opening night of practice for Mizzou and six other top programs around the nation. ESPNU will also be televising the opening practices at North Carolina, North Carolina State, Florida State, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and defending NCAA national champion Kentucky.
Mizzou is coming off a tremendous 30-5 season under first-year coach Frank Haith. In his second year at the helm, Haith has a squad armed with a veteran backcourt in Phil Pressey, Michael Dixon, senior forward Laurence Bowers and several talented transfers in their debut season in the Southeastern Conference.
Meanwhile, the SLU Billikens have been picked to finish in second place in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll. The Billikens return a strong nucleus from last season’s 26-8 team that advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. Senior guard Kwamain Mitchell is back to lead the Billikens, who are under the direction of interim head coach Jim Crews. A 24-year head coaching veteran, Crews is stepping in for Rick Majerus, who is sitting out the season due to health reasons.
SLU will be hosting its annual Fan Fest on Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Chaifetz Arena. The event is free and open to the public.
On the recruiting trail
*Edwardsville High basketball standout Garret Covington recently gave a verbal commitment to attend Western Illinois University. The 6’5” Covington is one of the area’s top players in the Class of 2013. As a senior, Covington averaged 18 points, mostly from long range. He is one of the top returning players on an Edwardsville team that advanced to the IHSA Class 4A Supersectionals last season.
Lindenwood University men’s basketball coach Brad Soderberg got commitments from 6’7” forward Marcus Hinton of Hazelwood Central and 6’2” guard Nick Van Osdale of Belleville West.
Edwardsville two-sport girls standout Emmonnie Henderson has narrowed her list down to four schools. The basketball and track standout has it down to Louisville, Tennessee, Miami (FL) and Purdue. The 6’2” Henderson led Edwardsville to the school’s first ever berth in the Illinois Class 4A state-championship game in basketball last season. She followed up by leading the Tigers to their first state championship in girls track. She is being recruited in both sports.
*Former Hazelwood East standout football player Christian Kirksey is having a nice collegiate career at the University of Iowa. The 6’2” 220-pound junior linebacker had a big moment in the Hawkeye’s recent 31-13 victory over Minnesota when he intercepted a pass and returned it 68 yards for a touchdown. Kirksey has 30 tackles for the season. As a sophomore, Kirksey tied for the team lead in tackles with 62 solos and 48 assists.
