Former Missouri women’s basketball player Morgan Eye has a newfound respect for referees.

Eye, now the women’s basketball team’s graduate assistant coach, helps the team with a variety of tasks, including video analysis, position breakdown and acting as a referee during practice.

“It’s definitely different to see things from the sideline,” Eye said.

In her playing career, Eye was the most prolific three-point shooter in Missouri history. She holds the school record in triples for a career, season and single game. Although she had the chance to play basketball overseas, Eye said her dedication to the university kept her with the Tigers.

“A big reason I wanted to stay was (to) be around the girls I got to play with and continue to be with coach (Robin Pingeton) and her staff and just really learn the ropes from, in my biased opinion, the best coaching staff in the nation,” Eye said.

As a senior last year, Eye was referred to as the “mother hen” by her teammates — she was always known to look out for them. Now, she is caring for her former teammates in a different way. Pingeton sees Eye as a moderator between the players and the coaching staff.

“It’s not that long ago that she was there, but she also has a different feel being in those coaches meetings,” Pingeton said.

One thing has not changed from Eye’s playing days: She still has high expectations for the team.

Going into the season, Eye is impressed with the team’s size and speed. She said the Tigers are sound on both offense and defense, and if all goes well, they could earn a spot in the NCAA tournament.

“It’s going to be a fun group to watch and just be around,” Eye said. “I think they’re all hungry and excited to keep getting better every single day.”

With the start of the regular season just around the corner, Pingeton assumes Eye will start to miss suiting up and playing for the Tigers. Still, the coach is impressed by how her new graduate assistant has handled the transition.

“It’s always so hard as a player when you go from being in the spotlight and then your career is done and it just feels so different,” Pingeton said. “And she’s handled it really well so far.”

Eye said she is happy with her decision to stay with the Tigers. Going to practice constantly reinforces her belief that she is in the right place.

“It reminds me everyday I’m where I’m supposed to be,” Eye said. “Being a part and witnessing where this program’s going to go is very exciting for me.”