The Rock M photo editor’s favorite pictures from Saturday’s game against Texas A&M
- Eyes on me
Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams talks to a player during a game against Missouri on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Mizzou Arena.
Texas A&M head coach Buzz Williams demands attention from his players, such as here in the first half when he appears to ask his player Pharrel Payne where his eyes are. Payne ended up seeing the court pretty well in the end, totaling 20 points.
2. Shoot Like Steph
A note in the back pocket of a TAMU coach during a Missouri game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Mizzou Arena.
During the first half, I noticed an interesting sheet of paper sticking out of TAMU assistant Steve Roccaforte’s pocket. It listed certain MU players as “Steph Currys,” such as Trent Pierce, Marques Warrick, Caleb Grill, and Jacob Crews. Well, three of those four made zero three-pointers, so maybe not. (Crews was the outlier— he had a great night with 3 treys and 14 points.)
3. Flashlight, stoplight
Missouri fans watch player introductions before a game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Mizzou Arena.
The key to comedy is timing, and so too is timing key to photography, especially when the spotlights are circling around the room so quickly. Luckily, I was able to make this picture of the student section. Find your friends!!!
4. Move the Crowd
Missouri head coach Dennis Gates tries to hype up the crowd in the second half of a game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M)
Dennis Gates was seen here in the second half attempting to pump up the crowd. While the attendees did help the team gather an excellent home-field advantage, they couldn’t counter Wade Taylor’s three to end the game.
5. Dunk on them
Missouri guard Tamar Bates (2) dunks the ball in the second half of a game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M)
Tamar Bates had a pretty good game with 16 of Mizzou’s 64 points (exactly one quarter!) and he lit up the arena with this thunderous dunk.
6. Return of the King
Former Missouri football running back Cody Schrader watches the second half of a game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M)
Mizzou football fans were overjoyed to see the return of an MU legend to campus— former running back Cody Schrader, who in 2023 led the Tigers of the gridiron to an 11-2 season and a victory in the Cotton Bowl in Texas. The line to take a picture with the Shredder stretched all the way up the aisle and into the concourse.
7. The Old Ways
Missouri head coach Dennis Gates protests a foul call in the second half of a game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M)
I remember, when I was photographing Mizzou last season, it seemed like every game Dennis Gates was up in arms to the referees about one call or another. Now that the team is starting to win some games, this has dissipated somewhat. But when a game gets called like Saturday’s was called— with replay reviews happening after a free throw had already been taken— Coach let his opinions be known.
8. “That was all ball”
Texas A&M forward Solomon Washington (9) fouls Missouri forward Jacob Crews (35) in the first half of a game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M)
In what was one of the ugliest fouls I’ve seen, TAMU’s Solomon Washington grabbed Jacob Crews’s whole arm and forced him to fall face-first on the floor. Crews ended up fine, though, and finished with 14 on the night.
9. Last Ditch
Missouri guard Caleb Grill (31) attempts a game-tying shot in the second half of a game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Mizzou Arena. The shot missed and Missouri lost by three. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M)
After Wade Taylor IV’s corner shot put the Aggies up by three, Missouri had only 2.1 seconds to get a shot off. Dennis Gates would later say that everyone in the arena knew who would be getting the ball— Caleb Grill— and he did get a shot off, but it was taken off-balance and didn’t go in.
10. CY & Ant
Missouri associate head coach C.Y. Young counsels Missouri guard Anthony Robinson II (0) after the end of a game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M)
C.Y. Young seemed to be looking after his young guard, Anthony Robinson II, right after the game ended. Young, a former Florida State assistant, and Robinson, a Tallahassee native and Florida State U. High School grad, have plenty in common themselves.