Missouri lost three starters to graduation, and could potentially lose even more to the transfer portal. While incoming freshman Jason Crowe Jr. will immeditately step into the point guard role, the Tigers will need to get come big commitments in the portal themselves.
Missouri has a top-10 incoming class, but while Crowe will slide into a starting role right away, that may not be the case for everyone. They'll need to add at least three or four players through the portal. With a talented forward high on the list of needs, a big name just came onto the market and Missouri should be all over of it.
Saint Mary's Paulius Murauskas will enter his name into the transfer portal, and is already one of the top players available. He'd be a perfect addition to a Tigers team looking to get back into the NCAA Tournament in 2027
Paulius Murauskas should become the Tigers' top target after portal announcement
After the Gael's coach Randy Bennett left for the Arizona State job, Murauskas opted for a transfer just days later. He's an All-WCC player and averaged 18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game on his way to leading Saint Mary's to an NCAA Tournament berth.
After losing Shawn Phillips Jr. and Mark Mitchell, and with Trent Burns unlikely to be ready for a significant role, the Tigers will be desperate to add an accomplished forward through the portal. Murauskas would be a plug-and-play starter for Dennis Gates, but he's sure to garner plenty of attention from other Power conference programs.
Combined with a playmaking guard to pair with Crowe, forward is likely the Tigers' other biggest need. It's hard to say what the strategy for Gates and company will be once the portal opens, but you can bet they'll at least check in with the Saint Mary's star.