Missouri Basketball: Michael Porter, Jr. planning an early return?
After pulling off a comeback victory over St. John’s on Friday afternoon, the Missouri Tigers are set to play West Virginia in the AdvoCare Invitational Championship.
The Missouri Tigers fell behind on Friday, during their game against St. Johns, but recovered and sealed their trip to the championship game of the AdvoCare Invitational against West Virginia.
In the world of college basketball, West Virginia, like Saint Johns and Utah, aren’t world beaters, but they aren’t bad programs, either. Against good programs, the Tigers are 1-1, this season.
If the Tigers pull off a win tonight, they will win the championship, which makes me wonder the potential for championship wins Mizzou might have in its repertoire.
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It’s not to say that the Tigers will win a large number of NCAA championships, but exposition championships, division championships, and conference championships are all fair game, and I do believe the Tigers have the potential to make a run for an NCAA title.
Considering the Tigers are largely a green team this year, I won’t predict that Mizzou will make it far into the NCAA tournament, but stranger things have happened, especially if Michael Porter, Jr.’s return this season comes to fruition.
Posted on Michael Porter Jr.’s Instagram. Interpret at your own risk. pic.twitter.com/FMIjIo1iGo
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 26, 2017
It’s a cryptic message, no doubt, but it really makes you wonder if MPJ is rushing his recovery to return to play. What benefit does his return to the team this season serve?
Well, it would certainly be a boost to the team’s performance, and could help the Tigers make a deeper tournament run. Is MPJ hoping to return sooner, to maintain or boost his draft stock?
The possibilities behind Michael Porter, Jr.’s return are probably limitless, but my main fear is that he could be rushing his recovery. If not, then it’s all good for the Tigers, but he could be placing his future in jeopardy, if so. Or, could it be that the timeline is longer than three or four months?
Next: 'Winning' is Missouri's new look
If Missouri sees the return of Michael Porter, Jr. this season, then the Tigers could play for a championship this season. If he remains for a second year, then Mizzou’s odds improve greatly, with the amount of returning talent.