Mizzou’s Eric Beisel on Border War: ‘It’s a shame that they’re afraid to play us’

The Border War has been reduced to a war of words, but it remains entertaining.

Only one day after Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self said he was “sure there will be a time where Kansas and Missouri play again,” Missouri linebacker Eric Beisel brought gasoline and a match to SEC Media Days.

Beisel, a redshirt senior linebacker from Rockwood Summit High in Fenton, Mo., is part of the second Tigers’ recruiting class that never experienced a game day against the Jayhawks.

Asked if any residual hatred for KU lingered despite the rivalry’s five-year hiatus, Beisel said, “I don’t think it’s just Missouri. I don’t think anyone likes Kansas. It’s a shame that they’re afraid to play us, both basketball and football. We’d like to play them, but it’s just personal.”

Does he regret never getting the chance to play the Jayhawks?

“Not really,” Beisel said. “I don’t want to waste my time.”

Self said Tuesday he wasn’t sure when the rivalry might resume and was more concerned about doing what’s best for his program.

“I certainly don’t have any ill feelings toward out bordering state or school at all,” said Self, who also said it’s a myth that it was his decision to suspend the Border War. “But I’m not interested in doing what’s best for Missouri.”

This story was originally published July 12, 2017 at 3:22 PM with the headline "Mizzou’s Eric Beisel on Border War: ‘It’s a shame that they’re afraid to play us’."