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Missouri Basketball wins big if Jontay Porter re-classifies

By Eric Quackenbush

Feb 18, 2017; Knoxville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers forward Reed Nikko (14) goes to the basket against Tennessee Volunteers forward Lew Evans (21) during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee won 90 to 70. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Knoxville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers forward Reed Nikko (14) goes to the basket against Tennessee Volunteers forward Lew Evans (21) during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee won 90 to 70. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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If five-star recruit Jontay Porter re-classifies to play for Missouri in 2017, the Tigers have the best chance possible at landing a championship.

It’s not every year that a school receives a windfall in recruiting – unless that school is Duke, Carolina, or Kentucky, where such success is the norm. Missouri really had a once-in-a-blue-moon kind of recruiting season.

Whether Jontay Porter re-classifies his intent to play from 2018 to 2017 could be the difference in whether Missouri is able to prove itself as a threat to challenge for an NCAA Championship.

We already know that there’s a 99.999% chance that Porter’s older brother, Michael Porter, Jr. is, more likely than not, a one-and-done recruit. Count him out of Columbia at the end of next season.

Missouri Tigers Basketball
Missouri Tigers Basketball /

Missouri Tigers Basketball

Jontay Porter has made it quite clear that he would like to play for one season with his brother.

Michael Porter, Jr. also stated (shortly after his commitment to Missouri) that if the Tigers don’t have a winning season – stranger things could happen with a talented recruiting class – he might play for a second year to also play ball with Jontay, but those seem like risky odds.

I like the chances of Jontay Porter re-classifying to 2017 better than his brother playing basketball at Mizzou for more than a year.

While Michael Porter, Jr.’s exit from Missouri may not break the Tigers’ chance for success in the future, Jontay Porter’s re-classification into 2017 may be that extra nudge of talent that can give Mizzou that extra push throughout a tournament run.

Missouri’s odds of playing in the championship are already greatly improved – in the neighborhood of 20-to-1 odds; if Porter re-classifies, then those odds could increase markedly.

There is also speculation that Jeremiah Tilmon might be a one-and-done player, as well. All the more reason fans would love for Porter to consider re-classification.

Jontay Porter is also a multi-positional player. There is concern that he could challenge Tilmon for playing time, but in reality, his presence means a greater chance to have a solid rotation, and keep guys fresh.

I feel like there is so much excitement building with this recruiting class, that Porter may very well get mixed-up in the excitement, and join the Tigers in 2017.

While his focus is on his potential preparation for Peach Jam in the summer, there is also the reality that he might have to forego the tournament to prepare for the 2017-18 season with his Missouri teammates.

As of Tuesday evening, Porter had deactivated his Twitter account, which is understandable, given the amount of attention he will receive, versus the fact that he wants to make the best decision for his future.

Next: Missouri: 2018 National Champions

Whether Porter re-classifies to play in 2017, or stays the course and joins in 2018, Missouri’s future is still very bright.

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