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Crunch time approaches for Mizzou Basketball when it comes to 2017 recruiting. Cuonzo Martin has had his in-home visit with Kevin Knox (if you’re a PowerMizzou subscriber, you can read Knox’s father’s thoughts here), and while things have gone a little bit quiet in the recruitment of fellow blue-chipper Jeremiah Tilmon, chances are we’ll hear something reasonably soon. Michael Porter Jr.’s stint as chief recruiter has gotten the Tigers in a lot of doors, and it helped to land Blake Harris. We’ll see if it manages to snare a five-star, too.
There’s still another spot for a guard in this class, however, and it’s begun to appear pretty clear that Edwardsville’s Mark Smith probably isn’t leaning toward Mizzou.
Some Illinois #CrystalBall picks coming in for Mark Smith as he visits Illinois today. https://t.co/zUZTgOK2ZE
— Jerry Meyer (@jerrymeyer247) April 20, 2017
We’re starting to see plan B, this is a signal Mizzou believes they’ve lost ground on Mark Smith, who looks destined for MSU or the Illini
— Sam Snelling (@SamTSnelling) April 21, 2017
So who is Plan B for guard help? Evidently it’s Kassius Robertson.
Canisius transfer Kassius Robertson told ESPN he will visit Georgia Tech and Missouri. Eligible next season.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) April 21, 2017
Robertson is a 6’3, 167-pound guard who originally hails from Ontario. His stats, per CBB Reference.
Kassius Robertson, Canisius
Season | G | MP | FG% | 2P% | 3P% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | TOV | PF | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | G | MP | FG% | 2P% | 3P% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | TOV | PF | PTS |
2014-15 | 33 | 19.1 | 0.474 | 0.563 | 0.382 | 0.836 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 6.8 |
2015-16 | 33 | 34 | 0.437 | 0.489 | 0.404 | 0.73 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 14.1 |
2016-17 | 34 | 33.4 | 0.447 | 0.503 | 0.41 | 0.803 | 3.1 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 16.1 |
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He’s a little on the skinny side, but he’s a sharp shooter — he took seven 3-pointers per game this past season and hit over 40% of them — and he’s efficient. Per KenPom, his 118.1 offensive rating ranked in the nation’s top 200, and in MAAC play, his 121.2 rating ranked first. He’s experienced and hungry, and he could be an intriguing option.
Meanwhile, Porter is assimilating with his soon-to-be teammates, and evidently that means forfeiting his claim to the No. 1.
— Michael Porter Jr. (@TheMPJ1) April 20, 2017
What # y'all think I should be next year?
— Michael Porter Jr. (@TheMPJ1) April 20, 2017
I voted for 13, but it looks like 10 is currently in the lead.
More Links:
- Dave Matter spoke with the high school coach of recent defensive tackle commit Akial Byers. I enjoyed this quote: "Missouri is getting, I was going to say a diamond in the rough but everybody knows about him. They’re getting a great player." More importantly, Byers supposedly has the test score he needs and is expected to qualify.
- Now-former Mizzou basketball player Frankie Hughes might not be moving too far down the road.
Frankie Hughes, who is leaving @MizzouHoops, is talking with @SaintLouisMBB @KSDKSports
— Frank Cusumano (@Frank_Cusumano) April 19, 2017
- Expectations for Mizzou Women’s Basketball moving forward: high.
- Busy weekend ahead! Mizzou Softball welcomes No. 20 Kentucky to town, Baseball takes on Ole Miss in Oxford, Men’s Golf is at the SEC Tournament in Georgia, and Track & Field heads to Arkansas.
- Mizzou Softball shortstop Braxton Burnside is one of the 25 best freshmen in the country.
- Mizzou Wrestlers John Erneste and Zach Synon were named MAC Distinguished Scholar Athletes, while footballer Sean Culkin and diver Lauren Reedy were nominated for the SEC’s H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Award. Nerds.