The Missouri Tigers reportedly contacted Missouri State's Cuonzo Martin last week after Mike Anderson bolted for the Arkansas Razorbacks. The KC Star reported Mizzou AD Mike Alden contacted Martin, who was expected to at least be a candidate in Columbia.
Instead, Martin is headed to Tennessee. The Volunteers, who lost Bruce Pearl after the season, announced the hiring of Martin. My only question would be wondering about the timing of this hiring. Mizzou sounds like they'll be waiting until the Final Four, which is like a coaching convention, to make any moves.
With Brad Stevens and Shaka Smart in the Final Four, many UT fans will wonder why this move was made so soon and lament the program's inability to lure one of those two, or another higher-profile coach. But given the circumstances in Knoxville with the NCAA investigation, it's also very possible that Martin is as good as we could do right now - and it's equally possible that Martin can win here.
I think I'm glad Mizzou is waiting. There's no reason not to wait until at least next weekend when you get all these coaches, and potential coaches, in one city.