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July 31st,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Missouri Tigers
Overall Rank:
#105
Conference
Rank: #10 Big 12
2005-06:
12-16, 5-11, 11th
2005-06
postseason: none
 Mike Anderson
takes over the Missouri Tigers and will bring his up-tempo style
of play with him. Unfortunately, all the players he needs to
run that system aren’t in Columbia yet. The next few years will
be spent rebuilding, and Mizzou fans need to be happy to see
progress and a few flashes of what is yet to come.
Who’s Out:
Thomas Gardner split early for a shot at the NBA. That shot
didn’t work out, but the bottom line is that his 19.7 points
will be missed. The backcourt also loses Jimmy McKinney and
James Douglas. McKinney was the only other double digit scorer
last year and Douglas saw a few minutes off the bench. Kevin
Young averaged 8.5 points and a team high 7.2 rebounds and his
absence leaves some concern up front.
Who’s In:
The
backcourt could use some depth and they will find it with Keon
Lawrence, J.T. Tiller and Stefhon Hannah. In Lawrence, the
Tigers may have a four-year starter. He’s a tremendous scorer
and put up solid numbers in the rebounding and assist categories
throughout his prep career. Tiller is an amazing athlete and
was a nationally ranked triple jumper at Wheeler High School in
Georgia. Hannah, a junior college transfer, will see some
minutes running the point. He’s a smart floor leader on both
ends of the court and can do some scoring when needed. A couple
junior college transfers will add depth up front. Darryl
Butterfield is still a raw player after performing just two
seasons in high school and two more at the juco level. The 6-7,
225 pound Butterfield is a tough, hardworking player and has a
surprising amount of athleticism to go along with his large
frame. Vaidatos Volkus, a transfer from the prestigious
Redlands Community College in Oklahoma, has experience on the
international scene playing for the Lithuanian Under-20 team.
On the defensive end, Volkus can contribute in the post. On the
offensive end, his game can extend well past the three point
line.
Who to Watch:
It
takes a rare breed of big man to run and gun like Coach Anderson
is looking for. Forwards Marshall Brown and Leo Lyons should
fit into that system, but center Kalen Grimes doesn’t have the
up and down speed necessary. Brown averaged 9.6 points and 4.8
rebounds last year and should develop into a big time player
this season. Lyons had some good moments as a freshman, but
he’ll need to step up a bit in order to find a starting job.
The biggest concern is the frontcourt conditioning and depth.
Mizzou might have to go small for long periods of time to rest
the big guys…or slow down the tempo for a bit, but that wouldn’t
be very fun.
Final
Projection:
Besides point
guard Jason Horton and wing Glen Dandridge, the backcourt will
be comprised of newcomers. In the up-tempo style everybody will
get a chance to play and the team will find a good rotation.
Even if they start at the beginning of the campaign, don’t be
surprised if Dandridge, Lyons and Grimes don’t hold onto their
starting roles. Even Horton, who averaged 4.5 assists per game
last season, isn’t safe. No matter who starts, Coach Anderson
should once again have around ten players averaging between 10
and 30 minutes.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected
Starting Five:
Jason Horton,
Junior, Guard, 4.9 points per game
Tony Dandridge,
Junior, Guard, 2.5 points per game
Marshall Brown,
Junior, Forward, 9.6 points per game
Leo Lyons,
Sophomore, Forward, 2.6 points per game
Kalen Grimes,
Junior, Center, 2.6 points per game
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