Few sounds are more distinct than the collective groan of thousands – a soundtrack for a missed opportunity that dissipates almost as quickly as it reaches a crescendo.
On Saturday, Mohamed Diarra conducted the chorus when Missouri broke Iowa State’s press. The junior big man hauled in a hit-ahead from DeAndre Gholston, lifted off from just outside the restricted area, and cocked his arms behind his head. You could hear breaths in the ZouCrew swell.
But on the downswing, the ball clipped the front of the iron, ricocheted off the back, and popped in the air.