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Painter to Missouri would be huge -- for Mizzou

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If Missouri pulls this Matt Painter move off, someone should get a raise. Besides Painter, I mean.

The Purdue coach is reportedly meeting with Missouri soon (likely Tuesday) and at least one report indicates there’s “better than a 50 percent chance” he accepts the offer. The Tigers supposedly will offer a contract worth more than $2 million annually, a significant bump over his current $1.3 million salary, which ranks in the bottom half of Big Ten salaries.

Purdue could still keep him with an aggressive pay bump, though.

“Matt wants a situation where he will be able to make a run for a national championship,” former Purdue coach Gene Keady told CBSSports.com on Monday. “The administration here has to step up and help him.”

That said, Keady added this: “I think he’ll stay.”


However. If Missouri does lure Painter to replace Mike Anderson, it’ll be quite the coup.

Simply put, Painter is a better coach. He’s led the Boilermakers to five straight NCAA tournament berths, two Sweet 16s and has been first or second in the Big Ten the past four seasons. His win percentage is higher, too. Anderson’s rebuilding job at Mizzou was solid – three tourney berths, including an Elite Eight spot – but he never finished above third in the Big 12.

Purdue fans are hoping Painter stays. So are Kansas fans.

You also can follow me on Twitter @MikeMillerNBC.