Missouri after Purdue's Painter

After a week of speculation, the radio and Internet rumors have finally produced some substance. Brian Neubert over at Gold and Black has independently confirmed that Coach Matt Painter is the top target for the Missouri Tigers and he has been contacted by the Missouri athletic department. Ordinarly, I would dismiss this as a long shot, for it seems to be just a lateral move for Painter, especially with the Mackey renovations near completion and the fantastic recruiting classes he has lined up in the future. However, I am a bit wary hearing this news finally confirmed. Purdue is known as being a tightwad university, to put it bluntly. This is reason number one why I’m apprehensive about Painter leaving. If Mizzou throws the big bucks at him, it will force Morgan Burke’s hand. Burke’s hand does not like being forced into paying coaches top dollar, considering his last two hires have been former assistants who he could hire for cheap. If Burke does not feel ...