There isn’t a program in college basketball that has had their expectations shift as drastically as Missouri has since the end of last season. Bringing in a new coach and adding the top recruit in the nation will do that.
When Iowa State agreed to this series it wasn’t met by much fan fare with the Cyclone faithful. Sure, adding a Power 5 conference opponent is also better than not, but there didn’t appear to be an opportunity for a quality win. That is no longer the case.
With Missouri expecting to compete for a NCAA Tournament birth, this two year arrangement will feel more like the Big 8/Big 12 rivalry it was than not.