Missouri Tigers: Reasons for fans to be thankful in 2017
By Jesse Holt
2017 may not have gone 100% according to plan for the Missouri Tigers. However, there is still plenty for Mizzou fans to be thankful for this season.
Thanksgiving is a time for reflection. A time when we look back on the events of the past year to take stock of all we have to be thankful for. While we do that with our normal lives, there’s nothing wrong with doing so through the eyes of a Missouri Tigers fan.
Fans of the Tigers should definitely be taking stock of all they have to be thankful this Thanksgiving. Prior seasons have undoubtedly left fans feeling less than excited about the Mizzou programs. However, 2017 and the upcoming 2018 season have given Tiger fans plenty to be thrilled about.
If one takes a look at the year for the Missouri Tigers, it shows plenty of ups and downs. Overall though, 2017 is a story of improvement for the Tigers with plenty for fans to be thankful for.
For Mizzou to be bowl eligible after that 1-5 start is one of the best in-season turnaround jobs I've ever seen. From inept to dominant. https://t.co/gQNOCKtzKV
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 19, 2017
Basketball Betterment for Missouri
Number one on the list of things Missouri fans should be thankful for this season is the revitalization of the basketball program for the Tigers.
I realize this may be an unpopular take in light of this week’s news that Michael Porter Jr.’s Missouri career may have already ended. However, it’s necessary to look past that sad news to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
For one thing, Porter committing to playing for the Tigers changed the perception of the program overnight. Not only did the Tigers land Porter, but they also landed his brother, Jontay, in addition to Jeremiah Tildon and Blake Harris.
It’s not a bold statement to say none of the three would be at Mizzou if not for having Michael Porter Jr. on the roster. In fact, Porter’s recruitment hastened the rebuilding of the Missouri program in a big way.
The outlook for this season has shifted away from one of national championship aspirations. Instead, it’s now one where fans would likely be content with a NCAA Tournament appearance. A couple of wins in said tournament would be good as well.
That being said, that would be huge improvement over the Kim Anderson era. Fans should definitely count their blessings for that being the case this Thanksgiving season.