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Dru Smith, Mizzou's 'old-school' Hoosier State hero, delivers Tigers back to NCAA Tournament

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Nearly three years ago, Dru Smith came to Missouri hoping to make an immediate impact in coach Cuonzo Martin’s backcourt. One of the best transfers on the market, the Evansville guard was just what Martin’s roster needed: a proven playmaker who could score, distribute and defend.

The Tigers just needed Evansville to sign off. The Purple Aces didn’t play ball.

Instead, the Missouri Valley Conference program denied Smith’s waiver request for immediate eligibility, unlike Illinois, which cleared transfer Mark Smith to play right away at Mizzou that season.

But then a global pandemic came along.