Eye on the Tigers

In this week’s episode, Ben Frederickson and Dave Matter discuss the latest round of conference realignment that’s shaken up the map of college athletics as we approach another football season. Dave and Ben share their thoughts on Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz’s critical comments on the subject and compare and contrast MU’s move to the SEC with the latest departures in the Pac-12. They also discuss t...

In this week's episode, Dave Matter and Ben Frederickson review Mizzou's relatively quit stroll through Nashville at SEC football media days, where Eli Drinkwitz set out to avoid making any national headlines. Dave and Ben share their thoughts on Drinkwitz's analysis of the Tigers' quarterback situation, Brady Cook's chances of keeping his job and the transfer of play-calling duties to coordinator...

The Post-Dispatch's Ben Frederickson and Dave Matter get you ready for college football's talking season and preview the upcoming SEC Media Days in Nashville, where Eli Drinkwitz and Mizzou's contingent will be among the first teams to greet reporters on July 17. Ben and Dave look around the league and the discuss the top story lines that will surface in Nashville - welcome back, not only Hugh Fre...

In this week's episode, Ben Frederickson and Dave Matter open with conflicted thoughts on Mizzou's ties to the newly crowned NBA champion Denver Nuggets, MPJ's redemption game, Stan Kroenke's wardrobe, the curious Josh Kroenke tweet and why the billionaire family doesn't seem suited for the NIL game. Ben and Dave then pivot to the SEC's release of the 2024 football matchups and Mizzou's favorable...

In this week's episode, Ben Frederickson and Dave Matter share their thoughts on Eli Drinkwitz's comments about NIL at SEC meetings that drew some criticism earlier this week. They also discuss the SEC's inability to reach a consensus on future football schedules, Mizzou's decision to fire baseball coach Steve Bieser and Kobe Brown's legacy as he stays in the NBA draft rather than return to colleg...

In this week's episode, Dave Matter and Ben Frederickson take a closer look at the new NIL bill passed by state lawmakers in Jefferson City this week and how it can impact recruiting for Mizzou and the state's other colleges. Also, would Kobe Brown dare finish his college career at another program? They discuss Brown's looming decision: NBA, Mizzou or ... the transfer portal? Finally, Dennis Gates...

In this week's episode, Dave Matter and Ben Frederickson share their thoughts on Mizzou's recent Come Home Tour stop in St. Louis and take a deep dive into Eli Drinkwitz's plans for the quarterback position. Does a healthy Brady Cook have a shot at recapturing the job he held last year? Was the plan all along for newcomer Jake Garcia to take over? What factors will shape the race this summer? Dave...

In this week's episode, Ben Frederickson recaps Thursday night's Mizzou fundraising event in St. Louis where he visited with football coach Eli Drinkwitz on the state of the program coming out of spring practices, as well as athletics director Desireé Reed-Francois on all things Mizzou sports. Ben and Dave Matter then discuss the latest roster arrivals for Mizzou men's basketball (Tamar Bates, Cal...

In this week's episode, Ben Frederickson and Dave Matter break down Mizzou basketball's returning roster, possible departures, incoming newcomers and potential additions via the NCAA transfer portal, starting with former North Carolina guard and St. Louis native Caleb Love. Dennis Gates needs a big man (or two) for his roster, but Love, the former Post-Dispatch player of the year at CBC, is the mo...

Fresh off Mizzou's first NCAA Tournament win in 13 years, Dave Matter and Ben Frederickson break down the Tigers' victory over Utah State in Sacramento, highlighted by Kobe Brown's second half takeover and another impressive defensive showing by Dennis Gates' team. Then the conversation turns to Saturday's second-round matchup with Ivy League champion Princeton. Mizzou has the better athletes, but...

Eye on the Tigers: Dave Matter and Ben Frederickson are 3,000 miles apart but they have plenty to say about Missouri's first-round NCAA Tournament matchup against Utah State on Thursday in Sacramento. Dave is in California for the game and shares his thoughts on the challenges and opportunities the Tigers face against the Aggies from the Mountain West Conference. Ben and Dave also unveil their Fin...

In this week's episode, Ben Frederickson and Dave Matter share their thoughts on the All-SEC basketball accolades, including Mizzou's Dennis Gates not winning SEC coach of the year after guiding the Tigers to their first double-bye in the conference tournament. Ben and Dave break down the SEC tournament field, discuss their choices for the field's most dangerous teams and then look ahead to Mizzou...

Dave Matter and Ben Frederickson break down the roller coaster Mizzou basketball road trip (win at Tennessee, loss at Auburn) before previewing two big home games for the Tigers. NCAA Tournament projections imagine an interesting what-if for the bracket. On football, Matter and Frederickson pick the teams they think should represent Mizzou's three permanent rivals if the SEC switches to a nine-gam...

Dave Matter and Ben Frederickson look back on Mizzou‘s victory over South Carolina and look ahead to a grueling two-game stretch on the road as the Tigers head to Tennessee on Saturday and then Auburn on Tuesday. With SEC and NCAA Tournament seeding at stake, Dennis Gates’ team can polish its credentials with a split in its two toughest games left in the regular season. But what’s going on with Is...

Dave Matter and Ben Frederickson discuss the stellar season Mizzou star Kobe Brown is putting together for Dennis Gates' team. Can the Tigers possibly get him back for one more season? In an NIL world, maybe so. Hear why Mississippi State offers the Tigers a unique challenge and how Ben and Dave would handle any outside interest from other programs in Gates, if it materializes as the coaching caro...

Dave Matter and Ben Frederickson look back at Mizzou's first SEC road win at Ole Miss as the Tigers head into a pivotal showdown with old Big Eight/Big 12 foe and 12th-ranked Iowa State in Saturday's SEC/Big 12 Challenge. Dave and Ben take a closer look at Dennis Gates' ever-evolving rotations and peek ahead at a manageable second half of the SEC schedule. They close the conversation with thoughts...

Ben Frederickson and Dave Matter break down Mizzou's loss at Texas A&M and the Tigers' recent struggles on the road - and on the glass - in the SEC. As Dennis Gates' team heads to Florida on Saturday, could this four-game stretch make or break the Tigers' season? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, Dave Matter and Ben Frederickson break down Mizzou's loss at No. 13 Arkansas and what the Tigers took away from their first taste of road life in the SEC and dig into the recent rumblings that Texas could target Mizzou's Dennis Gates as its next basketball coach. Pivoting to football, the guys discuss newly hired Mizzou offensive coordinator Kirby Moore and what his arrival...

In the final episode of 2022, Dave Matter and Calum McAndrew discuss the Mizzou basketball team's recent surge with wins over nationally ranked Illinois and Kentucky. What's the ceiling for Dennis Gates' team heading into 2023? They also take a look back at MU's Gasparilla Bowl loss to Wake Forest and break down what should be the most important priorities for Eli Drinkwitz this offseason. Lastly,...

Post-Dispatch Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter and sports columnist Ben Frederickson preview a whirlwind week in Mizzou sports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Frederickson and Dave Matter lead off this week's podcast reflecting on the sudden passing of college football coaching icon Mike Leach, his impact on the sport and the entire coaching profession. Then it's time to discuss Kansas' 28-point dismantling of Mizzou in the Border War's return to Columbia on Saturday, the Tigers' first loss of the season. Dave and Ben share thoughts on the murky Isi...

In this week's episode, Dave Matter and Ben Frederickson dig into the reasons behind Eli Drinkwitz's contract extension, plus the implications that come with the massive raise Mizzou gave the third-year coach. They also break down Saturday's challenging game at heavily favored No. 5 Tennessee. Then they share some thoughts on Mizzou basketball's season-opening win over Southern Indiana and the cur...

In this week's episode, Dave Matter and Ben Frederickson discuss Mizzou football's upward trajectory and take a closer look at Saturday's pivotal SEC East matchup against Kentucky. Dave and Ben also dive into MU's proactive decision to lock up defensive coordinator Blake Baker with a contract extension. Then it's time to switch gears to the start of basketball season and the debut of Dennis Gates...

In this week's episode, Ben Frederickson and Dave Matter wonder if No. 25 South Carolina is really as good as its national ranking and take a closer look at celebrated transfer QB Spencer Rattler's uneven season in Columbia. Ben and Dave also discuss Eli Drinkwitz's admission that he's open to handing off play-calling in 2023 and what that could mean for the program going forward.  See omnystudio....

In this week's episode, Dave Matter and Ben Frederickson discuss what's at stake for Mizzou in Saturday's homecoming game against Vanderbilt, a matchup of the SEC's only teams without a conference win. They share thoughts on Eli Drinkwitz's quarterback situation and what kind of changes could be in store for MU's sluggish offense.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.