The Tigers had considered losing their star forward to Kansas after Bill Self made a strong late push for his commitment. Missouri’s leading scorer, Mark Mitchell, who transferred from Duke two years ago, had been heavily recruited by the Jayhawks, and Self confirmed that his program pursued him aggressively.
“We recruited Mark hard, so I know him extremely well,” Self said. “He’s a lot like [Cameron] Boozer — excellent at driving to the basket and drawing fouls.”
Mitchell has been the engine of the Tigers this season, averaging 18.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. He ranks among the SEC’s top players in both scoring and field-goal percentage, making him a key factor in Missouri’s success.
In last year’s upset over Kansas, Mitchell scored 17 points and showcased his ability to take over a game. With Sunday’s Border War approaching, he has another chance to make the Jayhawks regret missing out on his commitment and give Missouri the edge in this historic rivalry.
Kansas coach Bill Self acknowledged Mitchell’s talent and the intensity of the recruitment effort, but Missouri ultimately kept their star forward in Columbia, preserving a major advantage for the Tigers.
Missouri and Kansas will tip off at noon central on Sunday, and all eyes will be on Mitchell to see if he can lead the Tigers to another memorable victory.
