RE: Well first of all it was a HORRIBLE call

Posted on: October 19, 2016 at 10:15:16 CT

But the true greatness of Melvin Booker would be realized in his senior campaign. It began with no indication of anything promising, a close home victory over CMSU 69-66 was followed by the worst loss in program history 120-68 to Arkansas. And although 4 victories followed they were narrow ones against Jackson State, Arkansas State (where Booker scored 20 of his 24 in the second half), SMU, and Coppin State. MU entered the annual Braggin Rights game with Illinois with no indication of a season going anywhere. However, in what is in my opinion the greatest and most compelling game in program history….MU pulled out a 108-107 three overtime victory on the strength of Booker's 21 point 13 assist effort. The 13 assists still stands as the programs single game record, and just like that the season's fortunes took a 180 degree turn. MU started blasting opponents, MU won its next 5 games by at least 15 points in each victory with Booker the leading scorer in all of them including a 20 point victory over 10-1 KSU to open the conference season. Suddenly MU found themselves ranked. He would become MU's all time leading 3 point shooter in the next game at Colorado as well as setting a new career high with 27 points, also an MU win. He again had a game high 21 as MU destroyed ISU 92-69. He would scored 22 to lead MU over OSU and 22 in a win over NU, setting up a Big Monday matchup with ku. Booker would again lead the Tigers in scoring as MU won 79-67. He would have 24 points and 8 rebounds in a win over OSU, I think you are getting the picture….MU keeps winning and Booker keeps leading them to victory. The Tigers stood at 20-2, perfect in conference, and #12 heading into #4 ku with a chance to guarantee themselves a hold on the league championship. Booker would score a new career high 32, including 17 of MU's final 28 points, in a 81-74 MU win. In MU's next game Booker recorded his 100th assist on the season, the fourth time he had reached such a milestone in his career and in doing so joined Anthony Peeler as the only Tigers to top 100 in all 4 seasons. MU would close out its only undefeated Big 8/12 conference season at a perfect 14-0 with a 80-78 win over NU, when Booker knocked down a jump shot with 12 seconds remaining while being fouled…the conversion of the 3 point play resulting in the win. MU was 24-2, ranked 3rd in the nation, and earned MU's only #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. After dispatching Navy in the first round, MU would set the program's postseason mark for highest scoring game with a 109 point effort against Wisconsin and Booker would lead the way with a new career high of 35 points on 11 for 14 shooting. Against #15 Syracuse, Booker would lead MU with 24 points in a 98-88 overtime win to advance to the Elite Eight. Unfortunately a trip to the final four was not in the cards as MU lost to #2 seed Arizona to end the season at 28-4. On the season Booker would avg 18.1 ppg and with the 5th highest assist season in program history. He was again named First Team All Conference, as well as being named the Conference Player of the Year and an All American.

Booker is ranked 6th all time in points with 1,697, 6th in 3 pointers, 8th in FT's made, and 2nd in assists. He is also 3rd all time at MU in postseason points scored and the program's leader in postseason assists.