[TRC1991Participant]

The Tigers had a stellar season, and could very easily have been a 1 seed in the tournament having finished 30-4 and winning the BIG 12 tourney before succoming to the pressure of Norfolk State in the 1st round of this year’s tourney… Mizzou loses a pair of great guards in Kim English and Marcus Denmon along with their do-it-all teammate Matt Pressey and workmanlike big Ricardo Ratliffe.

However, the Tigers return phenomenal scorer Michael Dixon, point man Phil Pressey, and a hopefully healthy Laurence Bowers. Plus, Frank Haith returns and his ability to coach is no longer a question mark.

Also, they add transfers Jabari Brown formerly with Oregon and Alex Oriahki. This team could be very good with the combination of experience in the frontcourt and electic offense from the backcourt.

My prediction is this team wins 25+ again

[providencefriars1Participant]

I think Mizzou could have an even better year next year. You mentioned most of their top guys for this year but you didnt mention Keion Bell, a wing player who had a great three year career at pepperdine and should start right away. Also they have a seven man recruiting class so at least one of those guys should be a contributor. Also there’s Earnest Ross a transfer for Auburn.

Projected Lineup

PG Pressey

SG Dixon

SF Keion Bell

PF Laurence Bowers

C Alex oriakhi

B1 Jabari Brown

B2 Earnest Ross

B3 Stefan Jankovic

B4 Ryan Rosburg

B5 Negus Webster Chan

[ChewyParticipant]

His coaching ability is definintely still is question. He has a great regular season with another coaches kids. Then he lost in the first rd of the tourney as a 2 seed, his coaching ability has to be questions after that. He is a great recruter so we will have to wait and see if he can keep this up with his own guys.

Phil Pressy was amazing this past year and I can’t wait to see what he does next yr… boy is flat out fun to watch.

[JoeWolf1]

I agree with Chewy about Haith, he came up under Rick Barnes who is also a great recruiter and an average in game coach.  A lot of first year coaches who take over a talented team have success, but the next two or three years is where their legacy is made.

I think they’ll be a borderline top 25 team that wins around 22 or 23 games.  Your prediction of 25 wins isn’t that far off, but I don’t think they’ll be nearly as good as last year.

[TRC1991Participant]

…he won 30 games with his 3 year starting PF sitting on the bench all season with a torn ACL

[TRC1991Participant]

I think Jabari Brown will start instead of Keion Bell…the guy is electric on offense

[JoeWolf1]

 Matt Doherty took over at UNC and won 26 games in his first year, Bruce Webber went 37-2 in his first year at Illinios.  You can take over veteran team with good talent, but usually year 2 and 3 are the tougher ones.  Not saying Haith can’t there are a lot of examples of guys flaming out after a strong existing class leaves.

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