Tobias Ten: BORDER WAR

Dec 9, 2024 | Uncategorized

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Missouri guard Tamar Bates (2) celebrates defeating Kansas in the Border War game against Kansas on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

RMN’s photo editor brings us some favorites from Mizzou’s thrilling win over KU.

  1. Stormin’ Tigers

Missouri forward Mark Mitchell (25) celebrates defeating Kansas in the Border War game against Kansas on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

The main story of the day: Missouri defeated No. 1 kU, 76-67, and fans rushed the court. At the center of the madness: Mark Mitchell, who ended up with 17 points. Despite leading for nearly the entire game, this barely felt real to me, after watching the team go 0-fer in conference play last year. But it’s real, and it happened!

2. MU Represent


Missouri guard Tamar Bates (2) celebrates defeating Kansas in the Border War game against Kansas on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

The other big star of the game: Tamar Bates, the Kansas City, Kansas native, who finished with 29 points to put the Jayhawks away. He first went to Indiana— but in his second year on the team, he reps Mizzou today.

3. You Can’t Do That


Kansas center Hunter Dickinson (1) fouls Missouri forward Marcus Allen during the second half of the Border War game against Kansas on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

kU center Hunter Dickinson is widely known around the league as a dirty player. Here, he upholds his reputation by hitting Mark Mitchell in the face as he lays up the ball. Stay classy!

4. Get Up Offa That Thing


Missouri fans taunt Kansas center Hunter Dickinson (1) as he is injured during the second half of the Border War game against Kansas on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

Some rivalries are friendly. I’ve never seen anyone taunt an injured player at, say, Iowa-Nebraska. But here, members of the Mizzou student section let Hunter Dickinson have it as he (supposedly) had a minor ankle problem and left the game. Of course, Dickinson re-entered shortly after and played much of the second half.

5. Self-Destruction


Kansas head coach Bill Self watches his team fall behind during the first half of the Border War game between Kansas and Missouri on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

I love to photograph coaches. My favorites are the ones who jump around, point their fingers, scream across the court, and argue with officials; these types (Nate Oats, John Calipari) always make great pictures. I was expecting a yell-fest from Bill Self, especially as his team was losing so badly, but sadly, he remained reserved all game.

What a letdown! I wanted something like this. Maybe next year.

6. “Go Back to Where You’re From”


The Antlers, led by president Jade Warmbrodt (center,) insult Kansas head coach Bill Self as he enters the court before the Border War game against Kansas on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

Can you guess whom these Antlers are so angry at? Not Hunter this time, no, this was their reaction to Bill Self’s entrance into Mizzou Arena. Several of their Self-related signs were confiscated before the game, so they had to let him know their feelings with their words.

7. Size Matters


Missouri center Josh Gray (33) guards Kansas guard Dajuan Harris Jr. (3) during the first half of the Border War game between Kansas and Missouri on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

My favorite performance of the game? Josh Gray, the big man who always seemed to be getting the better of Dickinson. He also excelled in mismatches, like here, when the 7-foot-0 Gray towers over little six-two Dajuan Harris, a Columbia native. Welcome home!

8. History Lesson


Columbia businessman Tom Mendenhall holds up anti-Kansas props during the second half of the Border War game against Kansas on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

Local businessman Tom Mendenhall showed up to the game with a “BURN KU” license plate, a chicken-hawk, and a “Remember Quantrill” hat. William Quantrill (1837-1865,) a Confederate raider who fought the real-life Jayhawkers and committed the Lawrence Massacre, perhaps ought not to be deified in the big 2024. Nevertheless, the history of the real Border War remains a part of the history of the college sports rivalry of today.

9. Ant, the Man


Missouri guard Anthony Robinson II (0) celebrates a major score during the second half of the Border War game against Kansas on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

Had to throw in another Ant picture— what a great night for the sophomore! He had 11 points and five steals. He just keeps getting better!

10. Hands In The Air


Missouri guard Averi Kroenke (21) pushes SMU guard Nya Robertson (3) aside going for a rebound in the first half of a game against SMU on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. (Cal Tobias/Rock M Nation)

Let’s not let the big Border War win overshadow all the other sports— the women’s team played a great game on Thursday, defeating SMU and helping Mizzou go 2-0 in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Here, MU’s Averi Kroenke shoves away an SMU guard as she goes for an errant rebound.

11. Pocket Picked


Missouri guard Ashton Judd (24) steals the ball from SMU guard Zanai Jones (1) n the first half of a game against SMU on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. (Cal Tobias/Rock M Nation)

Here’s how you know a steal was executed perfectly— the victim doesn’t even realize it. SMU’s Zanai Jones was speeding down the court as MU’s Ashton Judd took the ball, and Jones doesn’t even react.

12. Eye on the Laser


I love a good accidental picture. While trying to make a cool sunstar-eclipse kind of picture, I mistimed and shot early, and gave Ashton Judd laser vision. Is it a foul to use that during a game?

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