RMN’s photo editor brings his favorites from this week.
- One & Two
Missouri guard Marques Warrick (1) and Missouri guard Tamar Bates (2) celebrate Bates’s dunk in the first half of a game against Pacific on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION.)
Alabama’s Ryan Williams (#2) says of he and Jalen Milroe (#4) that “Four plus two makes six.” In this case, one (Warrick) and two (Bates) make twenty points scored against Pacific. Not mathematically correct, but the scoring numbers would be much less impressive if it was.
2. The One and Only
Missouri center Josh Gray (33) hits his first-ever career three-point shot in the first half of a game against Pacific on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION.)
I saw Josh Gray pull up for a three-pointer in the first half on Friday and took a photo. Ho-hum, I thought, a three, they shoot those all the time. Then I thought, wait…. isn’t Josh Gray a center? What’s he shooting a three for?
After the game I learned it was Gray’s first made three ever in college. This is why it’s important to shoot EVERY play (and to do your research!)
3. Mitchell Mash
Missouri forward Mark Mitchell (25) blocks Pacific forward Burke Smith (11) in the second half of a game against Pacific on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION.)
Mark Mitchell leads Missouri in blocks this season with four (though Trent Pierce, Josh Gray, and Peyton Marshall are all behind him with three apiece.) Here he is shutting down Pacific’s Burke Smith on Friday.
4. Walk It Off
Missouri guard Tamar Bates (2) walks off after dunking in the first half of a game against Pacific on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION.)
They say a great sports picture has a ball and the player’s face. What if it’s only some of the ball? Here’s Tamar Bates walking off after slamming a huge dunk down in the first half Friday.
5. Flashing Lights
Missouri head coach Robin Pingeton talks to her players before a game against Saint Louis on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)
Shots like these aren’t easy; the spotlight only comes around every 10-20 seconds, and only for a half of a second or so. I bet I take more pictures trying to get a cool-looking spotlight shot like this one than in the entire first half. Still— worth it.
6. Out of Place
The first of a few odd out-of-bounds moments came in the first half when SLU’s Shun’teria Anumele fell on this woman’s legs after giving her the ball. It was one of many miscues for the visiting Billikens, who totaled 24 turnovers on the night.
7. Bring the ZOOM
Saint Louis guard Kennedy Calhoun (4) fights with Missouri guard Averi Kroenke (21) for a loose ball in the second half of a game against Saint Louis on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)
I tried out something new for Wednesday’s game— instead of my standard basketball lens, I used my football lens, which has a focal length twice as long. It yielded mixed results, and resulted in me missing a few shots, but when it worked, it worked. Here, it let me zoom super-close into this battle for a loose ball.
8. Hoops in Motion
Missouri guard Ashton Judd (24) blocks a ball shot by Saint Louis forward Mya Glanton (0) in the second half of a game against Saint Louis on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)
What a fun picture— somehow Ashton Judd is in full motion blur while the SLU player, Mya Glanton, remains sharp. I’d love to say this was all my plan, but with many motion-blur pictures, it’s all up to luck.
9. Close Contact
Missouri assistant coaches Preston Beverly, left, and McGhee Mann, right, catch a loose ball in the second half of a game against Saint Louis on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)
In another of a few funny turnovers, SLU’s pass ended up with MU assistant coach McGhee Mann, who was able to grab onto the ball in time. At least it didn’t hit his iPad.
10. Reverse, reverse!
Missouri point guard Londyn Oliphant (2) fools Saint Louis center Marcavia Shavers (25) with a fake reverse move in the second half of a game against Saint Louis on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at Mizzou Arena. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)
If only a picture could become a video— in the waning moments of MU’s dominating win over SLU, freshman Londyn Oliphant did this sick reverse move, fooled SLU center Marcavia Shavers, and laid up the ball easily. I tried best to convey the excellence of the move. I’d link a video, but the idea of using a great still frame to convey motion is really what sports photography is all about.