Mizzou Basketball 2012
 

The last thread reached nearly 7,000 posts in 2 and a half months creating issues for the server, so it's time for a new one.

MIZ


http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3f7489ed.jpg

**** yea!

ZOU.

Did mizzou get Okafor?

Senior: Dixon, Bell, Bowers, and Oriakhi
Junior: Pressey, Ross, and Criswell
Sophomore: Brown
Freshman: Bull, Webster-Chan, Rosburg, and Jankovic

In

Do you mean Oriakhi? If so, yes.

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That's Bowers, some broad, Oriakhi (with UCONN's NC shirt), and Phil Pressey. Look at the size of Bowers's shoulders and chest. Dude's been hitting the weights.

The new basketball unis looks pretty sweet.

Good old JT. Miss that guy.

J. Tiller ‏ @YungTiller

Alex Oriakhi comin to Mizzou from UConn?? Yea I like that move. Homie is a beast!

JT Tiller looks like George W Bush if GWB was black.

So who is the mizzou starting five?

Dixon, Pressey, Bowers, Oriakhi and

I'd place my bet with Earnest Ross. Gives them a true 3.

Keion Bell is first off the bench as the instant-offense super sub (can either slide Dixon to the point, or go small with Bell replacing Ross).

Jabari Brown will be a sharpshooter/sniper off the bench and gives them additional depth on the wing.

Tony Criswell is now just a bench big. Between he and Ryan Rosburg, they should be able to find 15-20 solid minutes a game behind Oriakhi and Bowers. Ross can also slide over to the 4 in a small look in some cases.

Pollard, if added, would probably become the first person off the bench and back up Bowers and Ross

I we add Pollard, and I don't think we will, our starting lineup will likely be:

1. Pressey
2. Dixon
3. Pollard
4. Bowers
5. Oriakhi

There is no way that Pollard wouldn't start. Hell, there no way he would even agree to come here unless he was going to start. Even without him, this may be the deepest Mizzou team I've ever seen.

Is Dorial going to play?

I would be stunned if he did. We're extremely deep and have no need for him.

Disagree. If Earnest Ross (or Jabari Brown) outplay him in practice, they would start at the 3 before Pollard. Based on reports re: Ross I have heard, I would be shocked if he didn't start, even with Pollard. He has been that good in practice. Best guy is going to play, regardless of what type of recruit they were.

I don't think Haith will promise Pollard a starting spot just to land him. John Thompson won't at Georgetown, either.

I've been hearing nothing but glowing reviews of Ross. Does he have two years left?

Yes, he has two seasons of eligibility left.

Really interested to learn about these guys and see how it all comes together.

Haith inherited a horribly-constructed roster and has done a brilliant job of evening out the classes with quality transfers. If he begins landing solid HS players, we should be in for a fun ride.

He's been amazing, but it remains to be seen if he can recruit non-transfers.

Or if he just has a better eye for talent than Rivals.

A lot of folks think Jankovic was wildly underrated, same with Jorgenson and NWC. If that's the case, then he's proven to be just fine as a recruiter even if he isn't landing 4 and 5 star guys.

I'm not inclined to believe that Haith has reinvented the wheel, however. I think he needs to step his game up a little on the HS recruiting trails.

Haith really needs to lock down MU the way Pinkel has.


The state of Missouri is underrated in the bbal talent it produces. There have been top 5 classes fall into Andersons lap and he couldn't lock it up.

Getting Beal, McLemore, and Porter would have been the number two class last year.

There has been a shit ton of top notch talent in MO.


Beal, Porter, McLemore is just scratching the surface.


The all time leading scorer in the ACC was just a four hour drive from Columbia.

Both Hansbroughs, Marcus Denmon, Michael Dixon, and Alec Burks are all from Missouri.

Wasn't there a kid from STL this year that went to ARK?

Yeah. Good player, but not on par with the three I listed earlier.

Short of landing a coach that can recruit like Calipari I doubt you're ever going to see Mizzou truly locking down the local talent. The environment is just too competitive with all the elite programs recruiting nationally, Mizzou doesn't have a much of a name brand in basketball right now and you've got an elite program in your backyard. Those factors can change but I dunno about if they can change enough for you to ever really lock down the local talent.

If we're talking about truly locking down the state, you're right. I think we can land 2 of the top 3 every year, though. The Mizzou brand is exploding right now.

It's just tough when you have so many other schools so close to your recruiting beds.



Realistically, STL and KC are your hot spots. You have KSU and KU in the KC area and Illinois and others in STL.


I think MU can absolutely get and should get 75 percent of the top guys. It gets tough when you have the UNC's, Duke's and Ku's coming after guys as well.


Saul is right though, the MU brand is blowing up right now.

I agree, in a Norfolk-stantic way.
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KU obviously presents some challenges, but I think that can be overcome. KSU is a non-factor.

Somehow I'm not real worried about losing recruits to KSU. Even when KSU was at their apex, they weren't exactly stealing recruits from under our noses. Now that good ol' Dudly Weber is there, I just don't give a large rats ass about the fightin' Ekos.

Likewise with Illinois. They haven't generally been a threat for premier Missouri talent.

If Mizzou can lock down 1/2 of Missouri's top-shelf (i.e. 4 and 5 star) talents, they'll be in very good shape. That's 1 or 2 of those premium players every year; more than enough to build the foundation for a very strong program. Surround them with a plus transfer, a high-end out of state player or 2, (getting a Webster-Chan caliber player every season shouldn't be tough) and some good coaching finds (the Dixons/Denmons of the world) and Mizzou should be a threat for the Sweet 16 most seasons.

Well, provided they can slip past Norfolk State, that is.

(!@#$)

I've never really trolled in MU threads.

But after this past year, and with Haith's 2nd year looming -- what are your guys expectations of MU and MU in the SEC?

Yeah probably Illinois and Ksu were reaches, but I was just talkin.


Granted the State of Missouri doesn't turn out 4 and 5 stars yearly, it's pretty often. MU needs to lock down those guys for sure. I think they will, but it's still something that Haith hasn't had to do yet so you never know.


He's off to a good start and I really expect MU to contend for the SEC next year. I think the year after and the year after that are the years you will really see what Haith can do in regards to recruiting.

Also have to worry, for some reason, how Florida keeps grabbing these guys from STL.

Am I the only one that would prefer Dixon come off the bench again next year instead of being a starter? I think he's much better as a high-energy, quick offense guy rather than a starting shooting guard.

He is our only other legit PG besides Flip so I don't like both of them playing at the same time except rarely to give a different look. I also think him and Flip are too small to play often at the same time.

Give Dixon starter minutes just like this year but bring him off the bench.

My expectations are kind of up in the air, to be honest. We have a good class coming in and should have decent depth. It will be interesting to see how Haith does with a more traditional type of team rather than the four guard lineup he used this past season.

I don't think you can do that to the kid.

He's been a model soldier and one of the hardest workers I've seen in a long time for Mizzou. As a senior, he deserves to get that first run at the starter gig.

If he can't handle it or Mizzou is better with him coming off the bench, I'm confident that Haith will deal with that and Dixon will take the demotion like he's taken everything in his career. But ultimately he's absolutely earned the starting job going into the season.

Besides, Dixon more of an undersized 2 than a true 1 anyway. And we don't really have anyone to replace Denmons volume as a scorer if Dixon stays on the bench. I don't think you can count on that from Ross or Bell.

If one of them can just force Dixon to the bench, so be it. But it has to be Dixon's job to lose. He's earned that right.

I would prefer Dixon off the bench, but I want him to start if he wants to start. He's earned it, and I don't want him feeling slighted.

I think Haith can stagger his substitutions so that we will almost always have one of them on the floor.

Stick around.

I expect Mizzou to finish in the top 3 in the SEC next year. Hell, I think we can win it if a few things break our way.

In the long-term, I need to see how Haith recruits before I can set expectations. So far, I've got no reason to doubt that he is going to recruit well, but this is the Show Me State.

You start Dixon. No question.



Like stated you need some scoring and you know he can bring that offense. I think again, like state, he's a natural two who can swing and play the point if needed.

Gabe DeArmond was on 810 this morning talking about how the staff is preparing for Pressey to leave after next season. I can't imagine him being dumb enough to think he's going to get drafted high enough to warrant making the leap.

Dude's 5'9 with a shaky jumpshot. He's a brilliant facilitator, but I don't know who he could possibly guard in the NBA.

Sure I can see that, and I'm sure we will likely start him. I'm just saying that I think we would be better if he is brought off the bench and we start a more traditional lineup with Bell/Brown at 2 and Ross at 3. I loved bringing him off the bench for instant offense this year.

Dixon is a combo guard and not a pure PG, but he's the closest thing we have to a PG after Pressey. I wonder if it will be difficult for him to shift his mindset from scoring as a 2 guard to distributing as a 1 if Pressey gets in foul trouble.

Gabe has been saying this for awhile now and I agree with you, I don't see it at all.

How many sub 6'0" guys even play in the NBA, let alone leave early? Even guys that are considered short like Chris Paul and TJ Ford are at least 6 feet.

Part of it is connection. The biggest part of it is being outworked.

Donovan saw Bradley Beal play more high school games than Mike Anderson did, which is just unacceptable.

Quin whiffed on David Lee because his parents were concerned about Snyder's character.

As for Dixon...

You start him. He's going to play 30 MPG, anyway. He's going to be on the floor with Pressey for 25 MPG. Might as well give the senior a bone.

Bell will be an excellent instant offense option and probably, honestly, works a little better with the second unit, which will need his scoring punch. He's used to being a one-man offense, and playing with the reserve group is more similar to that.

I could see them start small, with Bell and Dixon both on the floor, but I have a hard time seeing someone other than Ross start at the 3. Haith loves athletic wings like him, and recruited them en masse at Miami.

Re: Pressey to the NBA...

The staff is preparing as if Phil Pressey will leave, because there's a possibility he will. It's a CYA manuever to ensure they don't get caught with their asses out if he does jump.

Considering the Pressey family's connections in the NBA, I can't see any way Phil makes the wrong decision.

As far as his prospects... he is a freak athlete at that size. He has the speed/quickness/handles you usually see from tiny guards, but he also is freakishly strong and athletic at that size.

He needs to improve as a shooter to succeed long-term in the NBA, but if he does that, Pressey can be every bit as successful in the NBA as guys like Nate Robinson, Earl Boykins, Mugsey Bogues, Avery Johnson, etc.

You're talking about the most successful short players in history. Maybe Pressey is that good, but there's no way he should leave early. He's going to face an uphill battle just to get a shot in the league. He's not going to get guaranteed money after his junior season.

Re: the comparisons... I tried to stick primarily to role players/solid bench guys. I stayed away from true stars like Tiny Archibald, Chris Paul, etc.

What I will say with 100 percent confidence is that if Phil goes early, he will get drafted. If he goes early, it will be because his father's extensive NBA connections - he's part of the establishment - indicate that he should.

I'm not saying he will for sure. There's a chance. And if he takes that chance, it will be a well-informed choice. I'm going to guess his dad probably has a better idea than you or I do about how the NBA scouts view Phil Pressey.

I don't think Pressey will go early either...but I like the fact that the Mizzou coaching staff is considering all scenarios and is being prepared for any outcome that might occur.

I don't disagree. That's why I'm fully confident he will play 2 more seasons.

If Phil is incredibly, incredibly lucky, he'll be Vaughn at the next level, a player who essentially sat the bench, yet made a lot of money and saw a lot of victories.

I don't think he has an NBA skill set. Not even close, IMO.

Here's the rub, though...

The coaches likely have some reason to believe - beyond being cautious - there's a good chance Phil will go pro after this season.

That's probably coming from Phil. And if Phil is thinking about it, it's a safe bet he has spoken to his dad about it. His dad is going to have a good handle on the idea. If he's got no chance to get drafted in the first round (and therefore should come back for one more year), they'd know.

So there's got to be some chance that he'll go. I think discounting it out of hand is setting yourself up for disappointment.

Thus far is he bringing in the recruits necessary to compete at a high level?

Obviously kids don't pan out, especially high ranking recruits. That's just some times how it works.

Again, not trolling -- curious. I enjoy a good basketball conversation.

Color me unconcerned.

He is, but they have been transfers. Anderson didn't have a single recruit in his last class, so Haith had to plug holes with transfers.

Jabari Brown was the #19 player in the country 2 years ago, and Oriakhi was a McDonald's AA who had a monster tournament when UCONN won the NC. We also grabbed the leading scorer and rebounder from Auburn's team two years ago, Ross, who was a true Sophomore at the time.

In that regard, he's passed with flying colors. He's added a couple of 3* Freshmen who look like solid role players at this point. On the surface, this appears to me the most talented Mizzou squad in a long time.

Jabari Brown ... that name sounds familiar.

I remember watching Oriakhi play a lot -- as UConn typically played in the game that preceded KU on Big MONDAY.

How does the following year look?

Any orals, or commitments yet?

KU offered Brown. He played on Drew Gooden's AAU team. Don't think we have anything lined up for the following year. Still rounding out this class. Devonta Pollard has us on his short list. He's ranked anywhere from 9 to 22 depending on the rating service. Think he goes to GTown or Bama, though.

Is Brown a juco product then?

I was under the assumption he was transferring from another D1 school.

He transferred from Oregon I believe, and is not eligible to plan until Jan.

Illinois with a coach that can recruit could be the occasional problem, I mean the reason recently they haven't been an issue is the same reason you're citing for KSU not going to be an issue anytime soon with Weber. Still I think you're probably on the money with a goal of getting around 50% long term expectations wise, and yeah that Norfolk State thing is going to stick with you a while. Just be glad for the little things like Duke dropping the game vs. Lehigh and bailing you out from getting anywhere near the media scrutiny you'd have otherwise pulled. Went from possibly the story of the week from the tournament to "oh and this also happened."

If the team makes a deep run in the NCAA tourney next year, and makes a final four in the next 4 years or so, Norfolk State will be a fading memory.

I don't think recruits really give two shits about Norfolk State. Teams lose early in the tourney every year and land top guys. Shit UCLA was terrible this year and landed a top class. I knew they are UCLA, but still.



I'm anxious to see if Haith gets into the same lull that he did at the U. I think most MU fans would agree that he inherited a pretty good situation. It will be 2 or 3 years before you really see what he can do with the program.

I don't think Haith had a "lull" at the U, I think the U is one of the bottom feeding bball programs out there. No support from the admin, and they are a football school in a bball conference.

Not sure what the future with Haith will bring, but the signs are pointing up, and he has won some cred with me with the team's performance last year.

I'm saying its going to stick with you guys (the fans) for a while, a few late nights playing the what if game. Probably going to take at least a sweet sixteen run to really get the taste out of your mouth. I've been there before and as much as I enjoy schadenfreude I do empathize. And yeah, you do have to give coaches some time to show what they can do to develop their players.

I'm over it. Shit happens.

Not at all. Better times are ahead at MU.

Now that the tournament is over, it's basically out of sight, out of mind. Not going to lie, it hurt a lot at the time and while watching the tournament play out (especially with the blowing up of Missouri's bracket).

But the excitement level for next basketball season is high, as is football.

That seems to be the perspective of most of my friends, too. No sense dwelling on it, not when there are other things to be excited for coming up (like football).

One of the benefits of being competitive in both sports, I think... you never have TOO long to dwell on anything from the other sport.

I agree. It hurt like hell at the time, and I pretty much skipped the rest of the tourney, but the SEC move, the new unis, the excitement over the coming football season, and the rising level of excitement for year 2 of Haith's tenure have me looking forward and not back.

Agree - Haith never had a "lull" at Miami. He just never got over the hump.

He didn't have to build the Mizzou program from scratch, he just had to keep the ship going and not fuck up. He obviously did much better than that, and now he has tons of recruiting momentum and can sell a winning program, passionate fanbase, great facilities, new conference, etc. He never had much to sell at Miami.

It sure seems like other fanbases are a lot more concerned about Haith going forward than Mizzou fans are. Personally, from the improvement I saw in our players, the intelligent set plays, the calculated substitutions and timeouts, and the recruiting momentum we have now, I have very little doubt about Haith's ability at this point.

my guess,

PG - Pressey (25 mins) /Dixon (15 mins)
SG - Bell (20 mins) /Brown (12 mins) / Dixon (8 mins)
SF - Ross (25 mins) /Brown (10 mins) /Webster-Chan (5 mins)
PF - Bowers (20 mins) /Criswell (14 mins) /Jankovic (6 mins)
C - Oriakhi (28 mins) / Bowers (7 mins) / Criswell (5 mins)

Bull/Rosberg Redshirted

Well put.

One thing that I think was a limiting factor at Miami, too...the overall coaching budget. He's able to attract and retain MUCH better assistants at Missouri than in Miami.

Look at a guy like Tim Fuller. He was the No. 2 assistant at Louisville, and Missouri was able to lure him away.

Having an excellent staff is critical to success.

Anderson left the "ship" in decent condition for this year, but his recruiting last year (or lack thereof) put Haith into an incredible bind when he stepped on campus. Without landing the transfers that we did, our scholarship situation would have been incredibly screwed up. Of course, if Anderson had worked at all on the recruiting trail, things likely wouldn't have been as difficult. Porter, Beal, and just about anyone else would have helped, although Beal would have been gone next year anyway.

Not bad, but you seem to have Dixon coming off the bench, which isn't going to happen. Too few minutes for Pressey, as well. I have a hard time seeing NWC get much playing time, at all, next season. Just too many bodies in front of him. The only way he plays much is if Missouri goes to a 4-guard look with any consistency.

PG - Pressey (32 mins)/Dixon (8 mins)
SG - Dixon (24 mins)/Bell (12 mins)/Brown (4 mins)
SF - Ross (22 mins)/Brown (10 mins)/Bell (8 mins)
PF - Bowers (26 mins)/Ross(6 mins)/Jankovic (8 mins)
C - Oriakhi (30 mins)/Criswell (10 mins)

Totals:
Pressey - 32 (probably will be more, honestly)
Dixon - 32
Ross -28
Bowers - 26
Oriakhi - 30
Bell - 20
Brown - 14
Jankovic - 8
Criswell - 10

Looking at that, it honestly wouldn't surprise me if we see more of the small lineup than in my projection. Would much rather get an extra 4 minutes or so a game for Bell and Brown than for Jankovic or Criswell.

Agreed. Don't see Jank nor Criswell getting that many minutes. Cut those in half and add the 9 minutes to Brown, and I'm with you.

Bruce Weber is working with Mizzou to have a non-conference game in Kansas City.