Missouri Basketball: Tigers have to prove they’re better than they appear
Missouri basketball hasn’t been relevant for the last few years. While football isn’t receivng any respect, basketball is rounding the corner.
When a sports program nosedives, its return to relevance can be tough. If the program was relevant in earlier years, then the return usually isn’t as difficult. Winning cultures build winning programs.
The basketball program was sunk in 2014-15. Coming off of a 25-12 record in 2013-14, the Tigers free-fall to a 9-23 record under former basketball coach Kim Anderson’s first season was unprecedented.
Mizzou’s record improved by one win in 2015-16, and Anderson’s career with the Tigers ended, following his third season and a 8-24 record.
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In his first recruiting season at Missouri, head coach Cuonzo Martin assembled a top-5 recruiting class (once we hear Jontay Porter’s official decision on re-classification).
Arguably the best recruiting class in Missouri basketball history, it all started with Michael Porter, Sr. accepting Martin’s assistant coaching job offer. Then Michael Porter, Jr., the No. 1 recruit in the 2017 class, flipped his commitment from Washington to Missouri.
On Wednesday morning, Matt Norlander of CBS Sports, released early SEC power rankings. Following a successful recruiting season, Missouri still has to show how well it performs on the court.
Norlander ranks the Tigers at No. 7. The ranking could be worse, and while I would love to see Mizzou in the top three, I understand that the Tigers must “show me” on the court. Right now, Missouri is a team of “paper tigers.” That perception can be changed, however.
"7. TigersPorter will get the attention, but Terrence Phillips‘ point-guard play will be pivotal if the Tigers are to become next season’s UCLA. The Bruins more than doubled their win total — going from 15 to 31 — from 2015-16 to 2016-17. Mizzou has a shot to do something similar."
While fans will feel as though another outsider has looked down upon Missouri, I’m not terribly disappointed with the middle grading, which serves as a friendly dose of reality for Missouri’s incoming recruiting class. Better to “lose” now, than lose when losses count.
Next: Jontay Porter: Reclassification is 'safe to assume'
Rather than over-rating the team, the Tigers can enter the season with a chip on their shoulders. For a team that seems destined to make a big run for the National Championship, throwing a little pre-season shade at the team can serve as a motivational point to prove any doubts wrong.