Mizzou Tiger Talk with Gary Pinkel, Frank Haith, and Mike Alden

The mood was extremely festive at Tiger Talk this week as Mizzou prepares for the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. Director of Athletics Mike Alden kicked off the program by reflecting on the team’s performance against Texas A&M this past Saturday.

“You had a national T.V. audience, you’ve got Brent Musburger there, you’ve got Kirk Herbstreit there, you’ve got Heather Cox there; you’ve got their national ‘A-Team’ that’s covering it,” Alden told listeners. “Millions of people throughout the country have a chance to see the Missouri Tigers and the University of Missouri and the state of Missouri, and it was just a magical evening. There’s no way to describe it any different than that.”

Mizzou Head Coach Gary Pinkel then took the microphone and spoke about how his seniors would be approaching this special week of championship preparations.

“They don’t change,” Pinkel said. “This is what we do. This is how we’re going to do it.”

He then went on to speak about how the seniors vote on the uniform combination that will be used for that week’s game. He said that the results were tied between two different options, but after a little debate and at least one player changing his mind, they came to a decision and moved forward.

Then it was time for Mizzou men’s basketball coach Frank Haith to entertain Mizzou fans. He spoke about the unity of Mizzou athletic programs.

“Coach Pinkel and I have a really good relationship,” Haith said. “He’s been tremendous to me going on my third year here. I text him all the time. Just watching him and what he’s done with this team, and I told him earlier, this team in terms of their chemistry, how well they play together, how confident they are…it just makes me feel very special to be a part of that and be around him and what he’s done with that football program.”

Alden wrapped up the fun-filled evening by pointing out the reach that the University of Missouri would have on Saturday.

“It’s all Mizzou, all day on CBS, throughout the entire country” Alden said with excitement. “Beginning with the UCLA game—Mizzou  versus UCLA—and then the lead-in to the SEC Championship Game, and then when we take on Auburn, I mean what a great opportunity for Mizzou and the institution to be exposed to the entire country.”

The basketball game will begin at 11 a.m. CST and set up a memorable day for the state of Missouri. Then at 3 p.m. CST the Mizzou football team will take on the Auburn Tigers for a chance at their first SEC Championship.