Columbia, Mo. ? Kansas University’s student newspaper, The University Daily Kansan, played a prank on Quin Snyder the night of the KU-Missouri men’s basketball game Jan. 31 at Allen Fieldhouse.

“When we were at Kansas, they did a nice parody of Donald Trump firing me,” Snyder, Missouri’s sixth-year coach, said of a pullout in the paper that mimicked the TV show “The Apprentice.” The poster said, “Hey Quin … you’re fired.”

“The entire student section held copies of it,” he said. “That all was in good fun. In fact, I would like to get a copy of it to save.”

He is not asking Tiger fans for mean-spirited revenge when the Jayhawks (22-4 overall, 12-3 Big 12 Conference) travel today to face the Tigers (14-15, 6-9). Tipoff is 1 p.m. at Mizzou Arena.

“I hope Sunday we can not be genteel, but always be conscious of the university we are representing, the integrity of our institution,” Snyder said.

A fan on Snyder’s weekly radio show asked the embattled coach what message he would give his fans leading up to the game.

“Speak what is in your heart. I don’t think our crowd has a lot of affection for Kansas,” he said with a laugh. “We haven’t had the prettiest team this year, but I can’t imagine not having an unbelievable crowd.”

Snyder hopes the fans bring their A-game today. MU, which fell to KU, 73-61, in Lawrence, will need a top effort to beat a KU team trying to wrap up an undisputed league title. The Tigers have dropped two straight games, including an 18-point loss Wednesday at Iowa State.

“I want our guys to feel the urgency of this game,” Snyder said. “Last year, Kansas knocked us out of the NCAA Tournament (by beating MU in finale at Hearnes Center and also in Big 12 tournament).

Kansas University fans hoist newspapers poking fun at Missouri men's basketball coach Quin Snyder. The ad appeared in the University Daily Kansan, the KU student newspaper, on Jan. 31 -- the day of KU's 73-61 victory over the Tigers in Allen Fieldhouse.

“Regardless of what we now have at stake, seeding, the NIT, momentum, I want our kids ready to do battle.”

Snyder, who has a 3-10 record versus KU compared to Bill Self’s 7-0 career mark against MU, grows emotional just thinking about this year’s rematch.

“We’ve been dealing with maturity issues with our young team much of the season,” Snyder said. “Our team has had to learn a lot about competing. We’ve had a hard time getting up for every game. We have had to learn the hard way about competing. We should not have that problem against Kansas.”

Snyder is wary of a KU team that out-toughed Oklahoma State, 81-79, on Feb. 26, then claimed a 72-63 victory Wednesday over Kansas State on Senior Day.

“They are capable of putting up big numbers if you try to play with them,” Snyder said. “We’ve got to get ugly. Our guys have to scratch, claw.

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“We’ve got to find some life, make sure we are energetic for the game. We need to be physical. (Wayne) Simien is really good, and Kansas is great in transition. We can’t take quick shots, bad shots.”

He is really impressed with All-America and Big 12 player-of-the-year favorite Simien.

“He’s now shooting the ball even better away from the basket,” Snyder said. “Before, if you got him out to 13, 14 feet, his percentage would go down. Now, he’s making shots everywhere. He’s been so good from the foul line, you’ve got to be careful to not put him on the line.”

MU has had trouble shooting from the outside, making 40.7 percent of its shots. KU used a zone defense during crunch time of the narrow victory in Lawrence. Linas Kleiza leads MU with averages 14.9 points and 7.3 rebounds a game.

“People are daring us to take jump shots,” Snyder said. “Maybe we’ll hit a couple shots. We’re due.”

Snyder likely doesn’t have to win today to save his job. The Tiger administration appears to be firmly behind him. However, the coach realizes next year could be the year he’s required to post big-time improvement.

“I understand the criticism of me,” Snyder said. “It’s been here since I’ve been here.”

A win today would help his popularity rise dramatically.

“Bill is one of the best coaches in the business,” he said of Self, “and to beat them we’re going to have to play a helluva game.”