Missouri players are adamant: Quin Snyder did not bail out on them.
“I know he didn’t quit,” point guard Jason Horton said Sunday. “I know he’s not that type of person. I know that.”
Snyder’s resignation was made official Sunday morning and the Tigers played their first game without him later in the day, beating Kansas State 74-71 to end a six-game losing streak. Snyder hasn’t talked publicly about his departure after nearly seven seasons at the school.
He canceled a scheduled news conference Sunday evening, instead issuing a statement through his lawyer that he won’t be talking until he and the university have a signed settlement agreement for the final two years of his contract.
In any case, players who spoke for the first time since Snyder became their former coach Friday are certain leaving was not his idea, and that he was forced out.
“All I can tell you is that’s not in Coach Q’s character.” sophomore Marshall Brown said. – – –
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SUNDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
#9 W. Va. At 69 #15 Georgetown 56
Kevin Pittsnogle, shut out vs. Pitt Thurs, scored 25 pts on 10-for-15 shooting and sparked 15-5 game-ending run for Mountaineers (18-5, 9-1 Big East).
Cincinnati at 69 #14 Pittsburgh 89
Carl Krauser had 18 pts and reserve Keith Benjamin scored career-high 16 for Pitt (19-3, 8-3) in schools’ first Big East meeting. Bearcats 16-9, 5-6.
#16 N.C. State 68 at Georgia Tech 71
Reserve Zam Frederick scored career-high 22 pts as Tech (10-12, 3-8 ACC) ended 8-game losing streak, its longest in 25 yrs.
#23 N. Carolina 80 at Miami 70
Tyler Hansbrough scored 25 pts, Bobby Frasor made 2 key jump shots late in game as Tar Heels (15-9, 6-4 ACC) held off rally by ‘Canes (14-10, 6-5)
Marquette 84 at Rutgers 91
Quincy Douby scored 32 as Rutgers halted 3-game skid with its highest output in Big East game since 1999. Dominic James’ 20 led Marquette (16-8, 6-5).
N. Illinois 55 at Kent State 67
DeAndre Haynes scored 24 pts to lead Kent (17-7, 11-2 Mid-American). Cory Sims led NIU (13-9, 8-6) with 14 pts. Zach Pancratz had 13.
The Huskies, which have lost two in a row, shot just 46.4 percent from the field (20-of-48). Northern Illinois had shot 50 percent or better in 10 of its 13 victories this season and came in to Sunday’s game having totaled a MAC-best field-goal percentage of 48.5 percent.
