There seems to be something brewing at Mizzou Arena every time the women’s basketball team takes the court.
Those who have attended Missouri games this season have so far witnessed the complete and utter dominance of the competition from start to finish. To show for it, the Tigers boast an 9-0 record, which ties their best-ever start.
Early success is familiar to Mizzou. A season ago, it entered the month of January 10-3. Two seasons ago, it began 11-2.
Many surrounding the program — from the coaches to the biggest fans — have noticed: This team is different.
“Every year is a little unique and different,” coach Robin Pingeton said. “It’s something we spend a lot of time on as a staff. We don’t take that culture for granted. You graduate a couple of players, you bring in a couple of new players, and you can’t just assume that you’re going to pick up where you left off in the previous year. We talk a lot about doing things that are abnormal and really putting the front of the jersey into everything that we do.”
Whether it’s the fire in Pingeton’s eyes as she barks orders to her inspired players, or the flash of star freshman Sophie Cunningham, something about this team looks formidable and threatens to challenge the Southeastern Conference.
The Tigers’ dominance begins with their defense. They are a rigid, stifling, consistent machine that challenges opponents to take their chances on the outside.
This starts with leadership and experience, which the Tigers have in abundance from junior forward Jordan Frericks, who has amassed 10 blocks and 11 steals on the season. She solidifies the backline and moves up and down the court aggressively, but more importantly, she provides direction to the woman opposite her, freshman forward Cierra Porter.
Porter, a player who signed to play basketball at Mizzou just a few months ago, roams the court like a centerfielder on a baseball diamond. She has racked up nine blocks and two steals in just eight games.
And though defense seems to anchor the team, the offense compliments it nicely.
“I think as you build a program you try to recruit kids that fit your style of play,” Pingeton said. “We are an up-tempo team. Last year I don’t know if we had the depth to play as up-tempo as we wanted to. I think this year we’ve got the players to play at a quicker pace.”
The Tigers certainly seem to be playing quickly, outscoring their opponents by an average of 35 points in just eight games, but it’s what they are working with that is the turning heads.
Enter Cunningham who, as a freshman, has taken over as the reins as the team’s main offensive weapon.
It began with her 23-point performance against Missouri State in her first appearance as a Tiger. The Cunningham hype has manifested into superstardom after her 42-point statement against Wake Forest, breaking the program’s single-game scoring record.
Cunningham’s sister and junior guard Lindsey Cunningham attributes her sister’s success in full to the work she puts in.
“She sets goals for herself, and she works super hard,” the older Cunningham said. “She never goes out there and thinks: ‘I want 20 points. I want 42 points.’ That’s never her mind. I think she’s an awesome team player. She’s put in the work and she’s got the right mindset.”
Despite the level of talent, the Tigers are young. Three juniors and two freshmen make up the starting lineup on a team with only two seniors.
Pingeton thinks the chemistry of the team, which has three sets of sisters on its roster, contributes to its appearance of experience.
“There is constant communication in that locker room,” the fifth-year head coach said. “They’ve got a motor, they’re wired, they’re driven and they want to take this program to places it’s never been before. We never have to beg for effort.”
