Rock M Nation - 2019 Mizzou Basketball OffseasonA Blog for Ol' Mizzouhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50319/rmn-fav.png2019-10-02T06:30:00-05:00http://www.rockmnation.com/rss/stream/182739872019-10-02T06:30:00-05:002019-10-02T06:30:00-05:00Cuonzo Martin can win at Mizzou without five-star recruits
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<img alt="Missouri v Central Florida" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CXKoTBJxwfjoEMM4HeuFVPeVS9c=/0x1:3000x2001/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65372739/883392942.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Cuonzo Martin didn’t land either of the elite talents in St. Louis, but his track record of winning suggests that Missouri will be in good hands even without five-star players.</p> <p id="pUdvJt">Yesterday had the potential to be one of Missouri basketball’s biggest days in the past 10 years. It ended up being just another Tuesday.</p>
<p id="ERbjVU">Those who care to follow basketball recruiting even tangentially knew that Caleb Love wasn’t going to choose Missouri over the University of North Carolina. From the beginning, Love seemingly aspired to play at the legendary school in Chapel Hill. Cuonzo Martin did his best (and it was his best) to convince Love that Columbia could offer a similar experience. But the writing was on the wall after his visit to the coast in late September. And maybe it was from the moment Roy Williams offered. </p>
<p id="rShOYw">It’s hard not to talk about Missouri sports and always circle back to the idea of expectations: are they too high or too low in any given year; what’s “fair” to expect; will they ever change? Missouri basketball is certainly the more prestigious of the two revenue sports at Ole Mizzou, but even the biggest of homers would admit that the Tigers are far from blue-blooded. Built on the sweaty back of Norm Stewart, the Missouri program has always been more known for grit than grandeur.</p>
<p id="isdy2F">However, the current state of play makes it hard to evaluate just what to expect of Cuonzo Martin as he starts his third year in black and gold. Is the historic ineptitude of the Kim Anderson years enough to pacify fans for another season? How about when it’s compounded with the mediocrity and scandal-ridden tenure of Frank Haith? Martin’s rebuilding job was an epic task from the start, especially considering how it was delayed for a year by the, “Win now, ask questions later,” nature of the 2017-2018 campaign. What could’ve been a year of laying foundation was spent on high hopes that, while rapturous in the moment, seem hollow two years down the line.</p>
<p id="66kijl">Of course, fan confidence in Martin is rooted in the fact that he’s hailed as a successful recruiter. He was able to convince two NBA talents to play in Berkeley for a program that hasn’t had the same “recent” track record of success as Missouri. Even at football-obsessed Tennessee, Martin lured Jarnell Stokes and Robert Hubbs (a five-star recruit at the time!) to suit up in that horrendous orange-yellow.</p>
<p id="YX676o">If you’re counting stars, Martin has already matched those outputs in Columbia, though he gets little credit for the Porter brother commitments. This is seemingly because (A) they would’ve come for anyone not named Kim Anderson, and (B) their overall production as Tigers was, to put it generously, underwhelming. However, he’s lured more four-star recruits to Missouri than at California or Tennessee combined.</p>
<p id="p76PfV">The simmering discontent for Martin’s tenure then seems to be based in the fact that, despite his overall success in recruiting, he has so far been unable to land the biggest fish coming out of his home turf. Courtney Ramey, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Caleb Love...</p>
<p id="RkTDWl">Wait.</p>
<p id="nGCGui"><em>[frantically checks notes]</em></p>
<p id="icmyDX">So hang on. Are those the only consensus Top 50 players Cuonzo Martin has missed on in three years of recruiting for the Tigers? Well, then.</p>
<p id="MjaYz4">The truth is, as long as Missouri is a hotbed for basketball recruiting activity, the Tigers will likely miss more than they hit on big name players. For as much as fans would like to think any one coach can “lock down the borders,” it’s not an argument based in reality, not in a world where schools like UNC, Kentucky and Duke are brands with national platforms. Those teams will nearly always get the guys they really want.</p>
<p id="6DHDO6">Where does that leave Missouri then? Pretty much the same place as they’ve always been. The jury is still out on whether Cuonzo Martin is the man to take Mizzou Hoops to the next level above the consistent competitiveness of the Stewart days. </p>
<p id="zigBvP">However, history shows us that Cuonzo Martin wins wherever he’s at, and he does so in relatively short order. This year, Martin will enter his third season as head coach at Missouri, the same amount of time he spent at Missouri State, Tennessee and California. Despite his reputation as a hopper, though, it certainly seems like he’s here to stay. He’s close to home, is a great representative for the university and is building the program on the backs of three-to-four year players rather than one-and-dones. That’s not to say elite talent wouldn’t be welcomed in the halls of Mizzou Arena. But even when it’s absent, Martin has found ways to win.</p>
<p id="s5B224">It may be a few years before another player like Caleb Love comes along — a player whose bonafides scream elite and whose blood is destined to be blue (Tar Heel or otherwise). However, if Cuonzo Martin can do what he’s always done — win and win consistently — then maybe the next time this decision gets made, there will be something other than hometown pride that he can pitch.</p>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/10/2/20892705/missouri-tigers-basketball-cuonzo-martin-recruitingJosh Matejka2019-10-01T19:07:15-05:002019-10-01T19:07:15-05:005-star guard Caleb Love Commits to North Carolina over Missouri
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<figcaption>Jon Lopez / Jon Lopez Creative</figcaption>
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<p>Love marks the second big miss of the 2020 recruiting class for the Tigers. </p> <p id="5CVlT7">If you’ve been paying attention over the last few weeks — or even months — <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Caleb-Love-46049829/">Caleb Love</a>’s decision on Tuesday shouldn’t come as a surprise.</p>
<p id="w4n9C4">Having <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/10/1/20892640/mizzou-tigers-basketball-recruiting-caleb-love-links">whittled his list of suitors to Missouri and North Carolina</a>, the five-star point guard officially committed to the Tar Heels in a ceremony at CBC, his high school in St. Louis. The decision is a blow to Cuonzo Martin, who doggedly pursued the Love for two-plus years. And while the Tigers pushed a blue-blood program to the brink, any <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/9/26/20884780/whatever-happens-cuonzo-martin-deserves-credit-recruitment-caleb-love">solace</a> is likely to wear off fast.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Five-star guard Caleb Love: “I’m headed to North Carolina.” | Story: <a href="https://t.co/PAOP0NS7bi">https://t.co/PAOP0NS7bi</a> <a href="https://t.co/UK9V3eSbqc">pic.twitter.com/UK9V3eSbqc</a></p>— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDaniels/status/1179184305571954688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2019</a>
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</div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3GEsGjFOGx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">i wanna thank God first for blessing me with this opportunity, i wanna thank my parents for pushing me and guiding me every step of the way, i wanna thank Coach Tatum, my trainers, and everyone else that has played a major part in my life. with that being said, i will be committing to... </a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/caleb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> c love</a> (@caleb) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2019-10-02T00:00:38+00:00">Oct 1, 2019 at 5:00pm PDT</time></p>
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<p id="JcUg4N">Throughout this cycle, analysts consistently pegged Love as likely destined for Louisville or North Carolina, perhaps underrating the early legwork put in by Martin and his staff. A smashing official visit in early September <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/mizzou-basketball-recruiting/2019/9/11/20860316/mizzou-basketball-recruiting-caleb-love-cuonzo-martin">recalibrated expectations</a> — even if the sentiment of Love and his family didn’t radically shift. </p>
<p id="PbC0ZK">And that’s where we’ve been for a month: people realizing MU’s odds were better than expected. But they weren’t so high as to make experts pause before <a href="https://247sports.com/PlayerInstitution/Caleb-Love-at-Christian-Brothers-College-208598/CurrentExpertPredictions/">forecasting UNC as Love’s landing spot</a>. </p>
<p id="Sjy0QL">Recruiting is a zero-sum game, and adding a prospect of Love’s caliber to a proven core could have potentially turned Martin’s proof of concept into reality. But much like Love’s ascent through the recruiting rankings the last few years, his stock and interest from stiffer competition soared, moving the prospect just out of reach of the Tigers coach. </p>
<p id="B2WhP6">Now, all eyes will turn to <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Joshua-Christopher-46047630/">Josh Christopher</a>, a top-10 talent with family ties to Columbia, in hopes he will forego playing at nearby UCLA or with his older brother at Arizona State. Christopher appears set to wait until the spring to announce his decision, but at this juncture analysts are skeptical he’ll leave the West Coast. </p>
<p id="vRkjCT">There will be questions about back-up options. However, the recruiting board has cleared out as decisions have come much earlier this cycle. For example, <a href="https://247sports.com/player/chanse-robinson-46049062/">Chanse Robinson</a>, who added an offer from the Tigers in June, picked Buffalo. And on the wing, a prospect like <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Carlos-Johnson-46036470/">Scooby Johnson</a> has already visited Butler, while DePaul and Northwestern emerged as players. The Tigers offered <a href="https://247sports.com/player/ronnie-degray-46049440/">Ronnie DeGray III</a>, who will do a prep year on the East Coast, but there hasn’t been a ton of obvious movement.</p>
<p id="IdjAGN">For now, the options on the table appear to be waiting out Christopher or seeing a new stealth candidate emerge.</p>
<p id="DMnlGt">While these developments might fray nerves in the fanbase, the recruiting cycle isn’t doomed to failure. Maybe hopes for inking a transformational class in 2020 have become modest out of necessity. The Tigers’ need is still along the front line, where they could see <span>Reed Nikko</span>, <span>Axel Okongo</span> and <span>Jeremiah Tilmon</span> exit this spring. Last weekend, MU took the first step to <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/mizzou-basketball-recruiting/2019/9/28/20889092/missouri-tigers-basketball-jordan-willmore-commits-recruiting">plugging a potential gap with the commitment of Jordan Wilmore</a>. </p>
<p id="eHIVxn">It also doesn’t diminish the other restoration work that’s already been done. Skim the roster. Five players hail from the St. Louis area, including three four-star pieces in <span>Jeremiah Tilmon</span>, <span>Mark Smith</span>, and Torrence Watson. That’s not insignificant progress.</p>
<p id="T00EoT">If that quintet pilots the program back to respectability, Martin will have the case he needs when sitting across from the next top-drawer prospect — <a href="https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2022/tarris-reed-248270">Tarris Reed Jr.</a>, perhaps — and making a case for Columbia as home.</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/10/1/20892701/missouri-tigers-basketball-recruiting-caleb-love-commits-north-carolina-tar-heelsSam SnellingMatthew Harris2019-10-01T14:30:00-05:002019-10-01T14:30:00-05:00West Virginia is looking for a bounce back season
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: West Virginia at Oklahoma" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BO9PyVKLlyId4kPV2TBjOX3LS4w=/0x0:4425x2950/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65369479/usa_today_12268733.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Mountaineers hit the skids a year ago, but a return to the NCAA tournament isn’t out of the question. </p> <p id="KGUXF2"><em>With Missouri releasing their season non-conference schedule, we’re taking a brief look at each of their opponents. You can catch up with the previous posts in the series here:</em></p>
<aside id="DXfSml"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Incarnate Word is certainly one way to open the season for Mizzou Basketball","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/8/10/20758154/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-opponent-incarnate-word"},{"title":"Northern Kentucky could present an early season challenge","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/8/11/20800241/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-schedule-northern-kentucky-norse"},{"title":"Xavier has quietly been one of the best programs in the country for nearly 20 years","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/8/13/20801489/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-preview-xavier-musketeers"},{"title":"Mizzou Hoops Non-Con: Wofford Terriers","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-tigers-basketball/2019/8/16/20803060/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-wofford-terriers-nathan-hoover"},{"title":"Butler provides a big obstacle for Missouri in the Hall of Fame Classic","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/8/20/20811620/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-butler-hall-of-fame-classic-preview"},{"title":"The Hall of Fame classic will see Missouri play either Oklahoma or Stanford... but not both","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/8/29/20813412/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-preview-hall-of-fame-classic-oklahoma-stanford"},{"title":"Charleston Southern has enough to hang around but probably not win in Mizzou Arena","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/9/2/20844051/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-preview-charleston-southern"},{"title":"Temple transitions into a new era under former Owl, Aaron McKie","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/9/4/20848506/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-schedule-temple-owls"},{"title":"Southern Illinois is starting over with a familiar name on the sideline","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/9/9/20855813/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-schedule-southern-illinois-salukis-preview"},{"title":"Illinois is looking to turn around the recent fortunes","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/9/16/20858397/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-preview-illinois-bragging-rights"},{"title":"Chicago State shouldn’t be a particularly interesting opponent for Missouri","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/9/24/20875091/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-schedule-preview-chicago-state"}]}'></div></aside><p id="JVAKoz">The Big 12-SEC Challenge has been around since the 2013-14 season, and after participating the first few years, Missouri has been left out. The Kim Anderson years ushered in dark enough times to prevent Mizzou basketball from facing its former conference foes for the last four seasons. </p>
<p id="whqBWb">But good news is the Tigers are back in the fight against the Big 12, partaking in the challenge for the first time since they got lit up in Norman, Oklahoma in 2014. Missouri will be taking part for the third time in its eight seasons, and ironically enough, the Tigers are taking on the <a href="https://www.smokingmusket.com/">West Virginia Mountaineers</a> for the second time. West Virginia is also one of two teams in the current Big 12 makeup Missouri doesn’t have a previous rivalry with so <em>of course</em> they’ve been matched up against each other twice. </p>
<p id="ItHN3K">West Virginia has been in the NCAA tournament nine times in the last 12 years under Huggins, but in the midst of some roster turnover, the team struggled to defend— a calling card for the program over the last 5-6 years which earned the moniker ‘Press Virginia.” Led by <span>Jevon Carter</span> and his bulldog mentality, WVU became a top 10 defense. But since his departure things haven’t been the same. </p>
<p id="AfZQG7">Injuries and suspensions limited continuity, but looking at the roster and the Mountaineers’ coach, you expect they’ll be back and probably this year.</p>
<h2 id="p9E3di">West Virginia Mountaineers</h2>
<p id="mGmNPy">Last season: 15-21, <a href="https://kenpom.com/team.php?team=West%20Virginia">95 in KenPom</a></p>
<p id="hxjaoD">Torvik Projection: <a href="http://barttorvik.com/team.php?team=West+Virginia&year=2020">32</a></p>
<h3 id="2PFbfd">Head Coach: Robert Edward Huggins</h3>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big 12 Conference Tournament-Texas Tech vs. West Virginia" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/e8eLFIpy7UYGu9ygTgNTEhTkg1M=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19248507/usa_today_12346136.jpg">
<cite>Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
<p id="rdwSFv">Huggins needs no introduction. </p>
<p id="i3kiS5">But I’ll provide one anyway. Huggins is a future Hall of Fame basketball coach who has won over 800 basketball games spanning a career at Akron, Cincinnati, Kansas State, and West Virginia, including two final fours. He rebuilt Cincinnati, flipped Kansas State, and has West Virginia is a good place, last season’s dip notwithstanding.</p>
<p id="XVKh6U">Huggins has largely been consistent, failing to win 20 games just five times in the last 20 years. He’s got to to find a way to get back there with a different look from his teams just a few years ago. </p>
<p id="vq99v6"><strong>RETURNING PLAYERS OF NOTE: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="VLDxc4">
<span>Derek Culver</span>: 48.1% %min, 11.5 ppg</li>
<li id="IZVCxU">
<span>Jermaine Haley</span>: 62.0% %min, 7.1 ppg</li>
<li id="aCp1nM">
<span>Jordan McCabe</span>: 44.3% %min, 5.8 ppg</li>
</ul>
<p id="lxn0BK">The good news to come out of a rough season is Huggins was able to get some young and talented players exposure, preparing them for larger roles this upcoming season. Notably Derek Culver, a former top 100 prospect who didn’t play the first <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> of the season. He flashed a high upside offensively and an ability to rebound — being top 50 in both offensive and defensive rebound rates. McCabe can be a little careless with the ball, but is an excellent passer. </p>
<p id="KxSxse">Huggins will try to marry a few wily vets with a solid core of young developing players, and sprinkle in an intriguing recruiting class in order to set his program back on track. </p>
<p id="kFqyRv">The Big 12 is always a difficult conference to maneuver through, but there is enough talent on this roster to get Huggins and his squad back into the tournament. Plus, this marks another difficult road game for Missouri head coach Cuonzo Martin to get through, though one which presents an opportunity for a big road win. </p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/10/1/20892884/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-schedule-west-virginia-big-12-sec-challengeSam Snelling2019-09-29T12:00:00-05:002019-09-29T12:00:00-05:00What Jordan Wilmore’s commitment means for the roster next season
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Missouri at Georgia" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JjjCbxqMDJNcyfS_MWtXa_JUrWI=/0x0:4303x2869/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65350731/usa_today_12298369.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Missouri was in need of size and Wilmore bring that in droves.</p> <p id="jhUeHl">While the 2020 recruiting class has largely focused on the Tigers’ wants — namely 5-star guards Josh Christopher, Caleb Love, and 4-star wing and Kentucky commit Cam’Ron Fletcher — the Tigers’ needs have always been on the interior. </p>
<p id="monjLS">Their needs were met with the pledge from Jordan Wilmore, a 3-star center prospect currently at the Skill Factory, a prep school in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Wilmore has great size, being listed at either 7’2 or 7’3 depending on the publication. Elite size is difficult to find, and elite size with mobility is even more rare. So the Tigers believe they may have unearthed a diamond in the rough with Wilmore, as early offers from Tennessee and Ole Miss seemed to have dried up in favor of Southern Utah and Jacksonville State. </p>
<aside id="b271Cx"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"BREAKING: Jordan Wilmore commits to Mizzou ","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/mizzou-basketball-recruiting/2019/9/28/20889092/missouri-tigers-basketball-jordan-willmore-commits-recruiting"}]}'></div></aside><p id="QO7PBZ">Wilmore went the prep route in hopes of expanding his opportunities, and then Cuonzo Martin came calling. </p>
<p id="u7qCTw">So how does Wilmore fit into the plans at Missouri? Let’s look at the scholarship count:</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="mizzou basketball scholarship count 9-29-18 wilmore" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G4OuMmWBBVSMouAHtQb4gsgR35w=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19241953/Mizzou_Basketball_Scholarship_Count_9_28_2019.png">
</figure>
<p id="ltzRDJ">Officially, Missouri has filled up its scholarship quote if Wilmore signs — as expected — in November. He takes the scholarship currently occupied by <span>Reed Nikko</span>, who will graduate and use up his eligibility at the end of this year. </p>
<p id="0jnnfB">On top of <span>Nikko</span>, right now Axel Okongo is still technically a senior with just one year of eligibility. Missouri is pursuing a waiver to grant him another year. Okongo is originally from France and played his prep school ball in Canada before committing to play for his Wyoming Junior College. While he has officially played just two years in college, he started his clock a year earlier while dealing with some Visa issues. </p>
<p id="ExbiZP">So <span>Nikko</span> is gone, and Okongo <em>might</em> be as well. There is also some potential movement for the Tigers next offseason, which we can’t exactly quantify or expect at this stage of the preseason. There is always a chance someone turns pro and rumors have been consistent about <span>Jeremiah Tilmon</span> and his desire to earn a paycheck sooner rather than later. Plus Mitchell <span>Smith</span> and <span>Dru Smith</span> are both entering their fourth year in college, with Mitchell having sat out a year following an ACL tear, and Dru sitting out last season due to the NCAA’s transfer rules. </p>
<p id="6MFqa1">Just like that, and there are five players who could, for one reason or another, elect to not be in Tiger uniforms in 2020-21. While the potential exists for that much turnover, I don’t think we’ll see all five gone. Missouri has long been looking like they’re willing to sign three players in the class. So maybe there’s one more waiting to commit before signing day in November. </p>
<p id="ubvUui">Projecting departures is never easy, so here is what the roster would look like with just Wilmore and no losses in 2020-21. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Mizzou Basketball Position 2021 Wilmore" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ncVGT72_j8otyg-2Q2tnoqHEoFo=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19243024/Mizzou_Basketball_Position_2021_Wilmore.png">
</figure>
<p id="TW2FfO">This is a pretty balanced roster. For the sake of clean lines, I slotted Kobe Brown in on the wing instead of a Combo Forward, but I expect a lot of his minutes to come at the four. There’s a lot of balance here, but you can also see why Cuonzo Martin and his staff were in heavy pursuit of Caleb Love— the depth at ball handling positions is just so-so. </p>
<p id="NcVEg1">Guessing at a depth chart two years out might prove a little difficult because a lot depends on this upcoming season. It’s even harder to project what Missouri might get from Wilmore year one, as up front he appears to be at least a project. With his size and mobility, he could see some early minutes as a defensive replacement. </p>
<p id="ZE5Sxw">Right now, we’re working on getting more film of Wilmore, as what's available online is mostly from two years ago and so we don’t know what he looks like now. Based upon the older video, we can see that he does move pretty well. If we’re able to gain some more current video, we’ll provide a more in-depth scout. Until then, Wilmore presents a little more than a mystery other than elite size. </p>
<p id="38JadM"></p>
<p id="CQeNgq"></p>
<p id="jtbwSG"></p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/mizzou-basketball-recruiting/2019/9/29/20889137/jordan-wilmores-commitment-missouri-depth-size-roster-breakdownSam Snelling2019-09-28T18:54:32-05:002019-09-28T18:54:32-05:00BREAKING: Jordan Wilmore commits to Mizzou
<figure>
<img alt="basketball recruiting 2019" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ALEDfRC-KugjZNa3YaBmpp16G7A=/141x0:1659x1012/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65347483/Basketball_Recruiting_2019_Draft_2__1_.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The Tigers took the first step to filling the need for interior size with the 7-foot-3 center. </p> <p id="POF1iL">Mizzou head coach Cuonzo Martin likes to work quietly in recruiting. His no-nonsense approach makes life harder on those trying to track the Tigers’ plans, but it’s his style. </p>
<p id="tlrZk8">Early Saturday evening, Martin struck again in near-stealth mode when post Jordan Wilmore uploaded an announcement into his Instagram story. The 7-foot-3, 245-pound prospect, who plays for The Skill Factory Prep, let the image — no caption, no hype — speak for itself: Committed. </p>
<div id="AAK8E1">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am truly blessed to say that I am committed to the University of Missouri ‼️‼️ <a href="https://t.co/qKxNcT2gYy">pic.twitter.com/qKxNcT2gYy</a></p>— Jordan Wilmore (@big_jordan20) <a href="https://twitter.com/big_jordan20/status/1178111398724984833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="PEH4Fk">With the decision, Wilmore becomes the first prospect to join a 2020 class that had started slowly. In early, August, Cam’Ron Fletcher, the Tigers’ top wing target, <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/mizzou-basketball-recruiting/2019/8/4/20753776/mizzou-basketball-recruiting-camron-fletcher-commits-kentucky">went off the board to Kentucky</a>. Meanwhile, Caleb Love <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/mizzou-basketball-recruiting/2019/9/25/20883330/missouri-tigers-basketball-recruiting-caleb-love-finalists-north-carolina-tar-heels">will announce Tuesday</a> whether he’s headed to Columbia or to Chapel Hill to suit up for North Carolina. </p>
<p id="ldycsf">Yet the more pressing need in the class was always along the front line. </p>
<p id="JMrDu1">The Tigers hosted Mehlville big man <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Davion-Bradford-46048235/">Davion Bradford</a> for an official visit three weeks ago, but he’s still undecided between MU and Kansas State. Mizzou’s staff has also checked in on <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/John-Hugley-46049989/">John Hugley</a>, a post prospect out of the Cleveland area. However, Hugley has yet to lock in an official visit, while many recruiting analysts think Pitt is the leading contender. And finally, Trinity Catholic’s <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Ryan-Kalkbrenner-46083314/">Ryan Kalkbrenner</a> <a href="https://www.omaha.com/creighton/mens-basketball/recruiting-center-ryan-kalkbrenner-commits-to-creighton/article_0d6d5981-10bf-51cc-a8b5-714208c77c3e.html">picked Creighton</a>. </p>
<p id="EdbVm9">Wilmore’s recruitment, however, moved swiftly. Martin <a href="https://twitter.com/big_jordan20/status/1175180470532878338">officially extended an offer on September 20th</a>, worked to get him on campus, and secured a commitment on September 28th. </p>
<p id="nUrMJz">We’ll have more in the coming days on the roster math and what to expect from Wilmore. But for now, welcome, Jordan! And M-I-Z!</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/mizzou-basketball-recruiting/2019/9/28/20889092/missouri-tigers-basketball-jordan-willmore-commits-recruitingSam Snelling2019-09-25T09:35:15-05:002019-09-25T09:35:15-05:00Missouri makes final cut for Caleb Love
<figure>
<img alt="HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: AUGUST 10 Nike Academy Showcase Game" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_QHpCDtgKt_cvyhVcXqHAhzOzL4=/0x0:4871x3247/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65317725/1161101407.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Fresh off an official visit to North Carolina, the St. Louis prospect has cut his list to two schools, and a decision seems to be close at hand.</p> <p id="Pz1XbQ">And then two were left. </p>
<p id="vZFqqL">On Wednesday morning, CBC point guard <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Caleb-Love-46049829/">Caleb Love</a>’s recruitment entered the final stages with a flurry of news. </p>
<p id="BK23MR">First, Evan Daniels of 247Sports reported that the five-star prospect has <a href="https://t.co/rK1ekctTjb">nixed upcoming visits to Louisville and Kansas</a> – effectively leaving Missouri and North Carolina in the mix. Within an hour, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello reported <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffborzello/status/1176848437062590464">a decision will come within the next week</a>. And finally, Jake Weingarten noted that Love will <a href="https://twitter.com/jakeweingarten/status/1176846814575620096">not host any more in-home sit downs</a>. </p>
<div id="p4saCm">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">and then there were 2...✍ <a href="https://t.co/LR5YQDoH7m">https://t.co/LR5YQDoH7m</a></p>— Caleb Love (@caleb2love) <a href="https://twitter.com/caleb2love/status/1176844789838430209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="xBDYr9">To anyone closely tracking the process, none of this is particularly surprising. </p>
<p id="a7qDVJ">A day ago, recruiting analysts began formally entering the predictions and reached a consensus: <a href="https://247sports.com/PlayerInstitution/Caleb-Love-at-Christian-Brothers-College-208598/CurrentExpertPredictions/">the Tar Heels are the team to beat</a>. Those prognostications came after Love took an official visit to Chapel Hill last weekend. Meanwhile, the nation’s No. 21 prospect also took a visit to Columbia earlier this month, one that saw MU seemingly move up the pecking order. </p>
<p id="FDKUlw">As we have written, <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/mizzou-basketball-recruiting/2019/9/11/20860316/mizzou-basketball-recruiting-caleb-love-cuonzo-martin">none of this should catch you off guard</a>. We even talked in depth on the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dive-cuts-sam-snelling-matthew-harris-season-3-episode/id1255992025?i=1000451125175">last night’s edition of Dive Cuts, which is available for your listening pleasure</a>.</p>
<p id="q5GLzr">What was worth monitoring was how long Love and his camp would keep their deliberations going. While MU passed Louisville, taking an official visit would have been an indicator that Love was still open to pitches. And the more time that passed, in theory, presented MU coach Cuonzo Martin and his staff with more opportunities to reiterate their case for why he belongs in Columbia—at least in person. </p>
<p id="C1fMiB">With the timeline being accelerated, it usually implies the momentum is with the last school to receive a visit. With the Tar Heels long considered the team to beat, it could appear the writing is on the wall.</p>
<p id="OjHLUO">As we’ve said many times, nothing is certain when it comes to recruiting, so now we wait. </p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/mizzou-basketball-recruiting/2019/9/25/20883330/missouri-tigers-basketball-recruiting-caleb-love-finalists-north-carolina-tar-heelsMatthew HarrisSam Snelling2019-09-24T11:23:37-05:002019-09-24T11:23:37-05:00Chicago State shouldn’t be a particularly interesting opponent for Missouri
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Chicago State at Notre Dame" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mVkI8YKoMI8yvu6KlcIu4Wq8rIg=/0x850:2475x2500/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65306826/usa_today_11622805.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The WAC program has largely been a disaster over the years.</p> <p id="KGUXF2"><em>With Missouri releasing their season non-conference schedule, we’re taking a brief look at each of their opponents. You can catch up with the previous posts in the series here:</em></p>
<aside id="DXfSml"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Incarnate Word is certainly one way to open the season for Mizzou Basketball","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/8/10/20758154/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-opponent-incarnate-word"},{"title":"Northern Kentucky could present an early season challenge","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/8/11/20800241/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-schedule-northern-kentucky-norse"},{"title":"Xavier has quietly been one of the best programs in the country for nearly 20 years","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/8/13/20801489/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-preview-xavier-musketeers"},{"title":"Mizzou Hoops Non-Con: Wofford Terriers","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-tigers-basketball/2019/8/16/20803060/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-wofford-terriers-nathan-hoover"},{"title":"Butler provides a big obstacle for Missouri in the Hall of Fame Classic","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/8/20/20811620/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-butler-hall-of-fame-classic-preview"},{"title":"The Hall of Fame classic will see Missouri play either Oklahoma or Stanford... but not both","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/8/29/20813412/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-preview-hall-of-fame-classic-oklahoma-stanford"},{"title":"Charleston Southern has enough to hang around but probably not win in Mizzou Arena","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/9/2/20844051/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-preview-charleston-southern"},{"title":"Temple transitions into a new era under former Owl, Aaron McKie","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/9/4/20848506/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-schedule-temple-owls"},{"title":"Southern Illinois is starting over with a familiar name on the sideline","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/9/9/20855813/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-schedule-southern-illinois-salukis-preview"},{"title":"Illinois is looking to turn around the recent fortunes","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/9/16/20858397/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-preview-illinois-bragging-rights"}]}'></div></aside><p id="JVAKoz">After an intense buildup to Bragging Rights, Missouri will need the exact opposite of that experience for their next home game, right? </p>
<p id="AEObZO">Well, either way, that’s about what they’re going to get. Game number 11 will see the Tigers return home for a post-Christmas/pre-New Year respite with a contest against Chicago State. The Cougars have been a part of the Western Athletic Conference for seven seasons now, and their best season was the first one when they went 8-8. Since then it’s been ugly, including two winless seasons. </p>
<p id="9nAAQP">The year before last the school moved on from Tracy Dildy — father of former Kim Anderson Assistant Coach Emannuel Dildy — after eight seasons. The last three of those years the Cougars went 2-40 (!) in conference play. </p>
<h2 id="p9E3di">Chicago State Cougars</h2>
<p id="mGmNPy">Last season: 3-29, <a href="https://kenpom.com/team.php?team=Chicago%20St.">351 in KenPom</a></p>
<p id="hxjaoD">Torvik Projection: <a href="http://barttorvik.com/team.php?team=Chicago+St.&year=2020">341</a></p>
<h3 id="2PFbfd">Head Coach: Lance Irvin</h3>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Chicago State at Indiana" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HWgcS8sgXCwXz1LznbfjjjA2rpY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19216234/usa_today_11610882.jpg">
<cite>Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
<p id="rdwSFv">Irvin is a Chicago native, and... check this... a former Missouri assistant coach! Yes. It’s true! </p>
<p id="fEGz2U">In the fated 2005-06 season, Irvin was on the bench for the end of the Quin Snyder era and for the short lived Melvin Watkins era. Irvin is a well known name in the Chicago-land area— they are basketball royalty there— and one familiar to Mizzou fans. Lance’s brother Byron is a name familiar to everyone here (hint: he played for Missouri in the late 1980s), and if you’re familiar with the Mac Irvin Fire, it was the patriarch of the family who started one of the most iconic grassroots AAU basketball programs in the country. </p>
<p id="uPpZe2">Lance Irvin has been a journeyman as a coach. He was on the sidelines at DePaul, Loyola-Chicago, Iowa State, Texas A&M, Illinois State, SMU and Southern Illinois. But leading Chicago State is a tough gig. They’re the low peg on the totem pole in the city of Chicago. </p>
<p id="vq99v6"><strong>RETURNING PLAYERS OF NOTE: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="VLDxc4">
<span>Christian Jacob</span>: 40.1% %min, 10.9 ppg</li>
<li id="7Q9pfF">
<span>Travon Bell</span>: 61.5% %min, 9.3 ppg</li>
<li id="JBfrMJ">
<span>Cameron Bowles</span>: 67.2% %min, 8.8 ppg</li>
</ul>
<p id="5aEM81">Irvin at least brings back three of his top five scorers. The Western Athletic Conference is a bit of a weird conference that maybe the Cougars start to put things together and move up the chain a little bit. </p>
<p id="OiER83">But teams like Chicago State usually have to set up a brutal schedule to make sure the athletic department keeps on humming along. And with Florida State, Purdue, and Missouri all lined up, the likelihood for a brutal non-conference slate leading to a slow start which parlays into a rough conference slate is hard to shake. </p>
<p id="ZRvtNs">Missouri shouldn’t have much trouble with Chicago State, even on a bad night for the Tigers and a good one for the Cougars. This is one of those games which shows up in KenPom at around 97% for Missouri to win. The Tigers should win and move on, and Chicago State will collect a check and hope a struggling program can find its footing in year two of a new coach taking over the program. </p>
<p id="e0aKCR"></p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/9/24/20875091/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-schedule-preview-chicago-stateSam Snelling2019-09-16T08:30:00-05:002019-09-16T08:30:00-05:00Illinois is looking to turn around the recent fortunes
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Illinois at Wisconsin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CQjTSM8d1aoCsywoJqSOsHgzusc=/0x0:2664x1776/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65253333/usa_today_12187860.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Things haven’t gone well in Champaign the last few years, but could Illinois turn it around this year?</p> <p id="KGUXF2"><em>With Missouri releasing their season non-conference schedule, we’re taking a brief look at each of their opponents. You can catch up with the previous posts in the series here:</em></p>
<aside id="DXfSml"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Incarnate Word is certainly one way to open the season for Mizzou Basketball","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/8/10/20758154/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-opponent-incarnate-word"},{"title":"Northern Kentucky could present an early season challenge","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/8/11/20800241/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-schedule-northern-kentucky-norse"},{"title":"Xavier has quietly been one of the best programs in the country for nearly 20 years","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/8/13/20801489/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-preview-xavier-musketeers"},{"title":"Mizzou Hoops Non-Con: Wofford Terriers","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-tigers-basketball/2019/8/16/20803060/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-wofford-terriers-nathan-hoover"},{"title":"Butler provides a big obstacle for Missouri in the Hall of Fame Classic","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/8/20/20811620/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-butler-hall-of-fame-classic-preview"},{"title":"The Hall of Fame classic will see Missouri play either Oklahoma or Stanford... but not both","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/8/29/20813412/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-preview-hall-of-fame-classic-oklahoma-stanford"},{"title":"Charleston Southern has enough to hang around but probably not win in Mizzou Arena","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/9/2/20844051/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-preview-charleston-southern"},{"title":"Temple transitions into a new era under former Owl, Aaron McKie","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/9/4/20848506/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-schedule-temple-owls"},{"title":"Southern Illinois is starting over with a familiar name on the sideline","url":"https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/9/9/20855813/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-schedule-southern-illinois-salukis-preview"}]}'></div></aside><p id="JVAKoz">No matter how much previewing on the season you do, you can’t complete a non-conference preview without talking about Bragging Rights. </p>
<p id="wwuu04">The annual rivalry game played in St. Louis is one both fan bases look forward to, and this year shouldn’t be any different. Missouri broke Illinois’ five game winning streak last year, but both programs were disappointments during the season. </p>
<p id="EnyhXM">It’s been a long slog for the Illini over the last six years. When Bill Self ran the program from 2000 - 2003, and during Bruce Weber’s first three years right after, Illinois was one of the top programs in the country. But in the 12 years since, there have been only three NCAA appearances in contrast to Missouri’s six appearances. Considering how down the Tigers have largely been lately, you can understand the level of fan frustration at Illinois. </p>
<p id="BsMmXS">It’s a pivotable year for both programs but the fan pressure might be mounting a little more on the east side of the Mississippi River, as the Illini have won just 14 and 12 games in back-to-back seasons. Not quite Kim Anderson bad, but close to it for a once very proud program.</p>
<h2 id="p9E3di">Illinois Fighting Illini</h2>
<p id="mGmNPy">Last season: 12-21, <a href="https://kenpom.com/team.php?team=Illinois">84 in KenPom</a></p>
<p id="hxjaoD">Torvik Projection: <a href="http://barttorvik.com/team.php?team=Illinois&year=2020">15</a></p>
<h3 id="2PFbfd">Head Coach: Brad Underwood</h3>
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<img alt="Iowa v Villanova" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2npTiDMGDyCeSLI-iV9VxZOjVUE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19198162/516707204.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Elsa/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="rdwSFv">Two years ago, I applauded the hire of Brad Underwood in Champaign. It was an aggressive move for a coach who looked like he was on the rise in the industry. But overall, his tenure has largely fallen flat due to some of the previous staff’s miscalculations on talent, as well as his own questionable decisions, mostly with the roster. Taking over the program, Underwood was known for his unique offensive approach, but since he’s been at Illinois, they’ve largely pursued a more traditional approach by going after slow and mostly offensively-challenged big men. </p>
<p id="9XHUhg">He’s been able to develop guards, though, and the guard play is one of the reasons the Illini are - like Missouri - a dark horse team to break out this year. </p>
<p id="vq99v6"><strong>RETURNING PLAYERS OF NOTE: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="VLDxc4">
<span>Ayo Dosunmu</span> — 74.5% %min, 13.8 ppg</li>
<li id="eEiiJ6">
<span>Trent Frazier</span> — 73.3% %min, 13.7 ppg</li>
<li id="Wbunum">
<span>Giorgi Bezhanishvili</span> — 64.8% %min, 12.5 ppg</li>
</ul>
<p id="e0aKCR">The top guy to keep an eye on is Dosunmu. Ayo passed on a chance to test the waters for the NBA last year to return, and he could feasibly be a Big Ten Player of the Year candidate. He’s a long-armed combo guard who is capable of making all kinds of shots around the rim, and his jump shot is developing. He made nearly 35% from deep last season, and both he and Frazier form a formidable duo in the back court. </p>
<p id="V3FIPX">One of the more underrated pieces for Illinois last year was how Bezhanishvili played down the stretch. He’s a skilled big man who actually DOES fit Underwood’s system and mans the mid-post quite well. He’s a capable passer who occasionally tries to do too much, but he was also a freshman last season.</p>
<p id="5sYiGD">With the combination of Frazier and Dosunmu — along with <span>Andres Feliz</span> — the ball handling duties should be solid. With Bezhanishvili and newcomer Kofi Cockburn, the interior should be good as well. The key for Illinois is— what will they get on the wing? If Underwood can find some answers on the wing for the Illini, it’s very possible they surprise in the Big 10 this year. </p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2019/9/16/20858397/mizzou-basketball-non-conference-preview-illinois-bragging-rightsSam Snelling