|
#52 Missouri Tigers
Big 12
2004-05: 16-17, 7-9, 8th
2004-05 postseason:
NIT
By
Joel Welser
This could be it
for the mighty Quinn Snyder. If Missouri doesn’t produce, it
could be the start of a new era in 2006-2007. The pressure will
fall on a group of solid sophomores and Jason Horton, Marshall
Brown and Kalen Grimes will have to produce better than they did
as freshmen for the Tigers to have any shot at the NCAAs.
Who’s Out:
Linas Kleiza split Columbia for the greener pastures of the NBA.
The big man led the team with 16.1 points and 7.6 rebounds.
Jason Conley was arguably the best shooter on a poor shooting
team and averaged 10.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists
during his senior campaign. Little used Brian Dailey and Spencer
Laurie will also not return to the Mizzou basketball team.
Who’s In:
Leo Criswell, aka Leo Lyons, could
come in and immediately contribute to the frontcourt. The 6-8
forward is long, lean and very athletic. He’ll need to bulk up a
bit, but Criswell will get a chance at plenty of quality minutes
and compete for a starting job. Guards Matt Lawrence and James
Douglas will add some depth. Lawrence is a solid shooter, but it
will be the experience of Douglas that gets him the opportunity
to play this year. Douglas, a transfer from Schoolcraft (MI)
Community College, will most likely spell returnee Jason Horton
at the point. Marcus Watkins, a transfer from Texas A&M,
followed his father to MU when he was hired as the associate
head coach.
Who to Watch:
Jimmy McKinney had a disappointing
junior campaign with 7.2 points per game. As a freshman and
sophomore McKinney averaged 9.0 points per game. If he can get
back to his earlier form, McKinney will be a dominate player in
the Big 12 and Mizzou will have a successful season. Along with
McKinney, Thomas Gardner and Jason Horton will provide a solid
backcourt, but the group will have to keep the turnovers down.
Last season the Tigers averaged 14.4 turnovers per game, while
only dishing out 12.4 assists.
Projected
Conference Rank:
It was only two years ago when the
Tigers were heading into the season with legitimate Final Four
hopes. After two disappointing seasons, a 7th place
finish in the Big 12 will be considered overachieving this year,
but Coach Snyder and his squad will do enough for the coach to
possibly keep his job.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NIT
Projected Starting
Five:
Jason Horton,
Sophomore, Guard, 5.9 points per game
Jimmy McKinney,
Senior, Guard, 7.2 points per game
Thomas Gardner,
Junior, Guard, 10.4 points per game
Marshall Brown,
Sophomore, Forward, 5.1 points per game
Kevin Young, Senior,
Center, 4.8 points per game
|
