The number eleven Missouri football team just knocked off the number one team in the country, Oklahoma on Saturday night. Missouri gained some respect and are now up to number six with a HUGE game this weekend with number fourteen Nebraska in Lincoln. Big things are heating up in Columbia while it's starting to cool off outside and feeling a bit more like Basketball season.
The shoes are squeaking, the water is being begged for, and the players and fans around Missouri is anxious. Anxious for what could be a very exciting year for Missouri basketball. Missouri is ranked in the final and official College Pre-Season basketball polls at number 14. Behind fellow Big 12 members Kansas State, Kansas, and Baylor. Missouri is also picked 5Th in the Big 12 pre-season poll. But first, there are some fact that have got to be toled about this years team.
-In 2008-2009 Missouri made the Elite Eight and recorded a school high wins with no player ranked in the top 100.
-In 2010-2011 Missouri has a player ranked in the top 30 named Phil Pressey and a kid in the Top 15 who is trying to make his way second semester, Tony Mitchell.
So if you thought the 08-09 season was big, you could be in for an even bigger surprise.
-In 2008-2009 Missouri made the Elite Eight and recorded a school high wins with no player ranked in the top 100.
-In 2010-2011 Missouri has a player ranked in the top 30 named Phil Pressey and a kid in the Top 15 who is trying to make his way second semester, Tony Mitchell.
So if you thought the 08-09 season was big, you could be in for an even bigger surprise.
Mike Anderson is entering his 5Th season as the Missouri Basketball head coach and he has a very stout group of guys. But the question is, can anybody replace J.T Tiller, Zaire Taylor, and Keith Ramsey?
One player that a lot are ready to see is Matt Pressey. Big Pressey has very good hands and is a down right defender. Through Junior College and Open scrimmages, fans and coaches have compared him a lot to J.T Tiller, he will also see significant minutes.
Junior College transfer Ricardo Ratliffe could be the missing piece that Missouri has been waiting for since Arthur Johnson left. He has the height and weight to bang in the paint. He's the key to replace Ramsey. He has a body like Former Texas center Dexter Pittman.
The guards- Freshman stud Phil Pressey is ready to roll. Very quick and has very nice hops for a 5'10 Point. Ask him to dunk with one hand and he will leave you in shock. Very nice release on his shot. A lot Will reply on Junior Marcus Denmon to run the floor as well, when Missouri is in need Denmon can be the go to guy for a quick score or a hand in the face defender. Speed man Mike Dixon is back looking for a bigger season than his freshman season. He shocked a lot last year and is getting a lot better at driving to the basket. Former walk-on Jarret Sutton is working hard to get productive minutes in the line-up. Very good release and can shoot outside the perimeter.
Forwards- Justin Safford is back and stronger than ever. He is the key to this years team. He has everything that a fan would want out of a leading senior. Missouri can go a long way and erase some question about Tony Mithell until he arrives, if Saffrod can play up to his true potential. Junior Laurence Bowers is the provide man on this years team, he is there to knock down fifteen footers and to provide more body inside the key. Steve Moore could be the more improved player. He gained some weight back but can still bang and help Ratliffe defend on the inside. Sophomore John Underwood will also be looking for productive minutes to help on the defense. Junior Kimmie English, last years leading scorer must be ready to lead this team. Gym rat off and on the court must be ready to make buckets when the team calls on his name. Freshman Ricky Kreklow has an outstanding release and could possibly be the best 3 point man on the team, but don't let the kid fool you. He can also drive the ball. If Freshman Kadeem Green can stay healthy, he will also fight for a starting role later in the season.
Forwards- Justin Safford is back and stronger than ever. He is the key to this years team. He has everything that a fan would want out of a leading senior. Missouri can go a long way and erase some question about Tony Mithell until he arrives, if Saffrod can play up to his true potential. Junior Laurence Bowers is the provide man on this years team, he is there to knock down fifteen footers and to provide more body inside the key. Steve Moore could be the more improved player. He gained some weight back but can still bang and help Ratliffe defend on the inside. Sophomore John Underwood will also be looking for productive minutes to help on the defense. Junior Kimmie English, last years leading scorer must be ready to lead this team. Gym rat off and on the court must be ready to make buckets when the team calls on his name. Freshman Ricky Kreklow has an outstanding release and could possibly be the best 3 point man on the team, but don't let the kid fool you. He can also drive the ball. If Freshman Kadeem Green can stay healthy, he will also fight for a starting role later in the season.
This is no line up to mess with. Mike Anderson once again has depth and every time Missouri brings back Anderson there going to be even better year after year and can always be the most dangerous and sneakiest team in the country.
Now lets take a look at the roster and our predicted starting line up.
G. Mike Dixon
G. Marcus Denmon
F. Kimmie English
F. Justin Safford
C. Ricardo Ratliffe
First In's.
G. Phil Pressey
G. Matt Pressey
F. Laurence Bowers
F. Kadeem Green
C. Steve Moore
Last Tier.
G. Jarret Sutton
F. Ricky Kreklow
F. John Underwood
Now lets take a look at the roster and our predicted starting line up.
G. Mike Dixon
G. Marcus Denmon
F. Kimmie English
F. Justin Safford
C. Ricardo Ratliffe
First In's.
G. Phil Pressey
G. Matt Pressey
F. Laurence Bowers
F. Kadeem Green
C. Steve Moore
Last Tier.
G. Jarret Sutton
F. Ricky Kreklow
F. John Underwood
Missouri Basketball final overview and outlook- Missouri realistically could win every game on the schedule if they can play up to their potential and ware down others as seen before. Missouri has some tough key games before going in to conference play. #15 Illinois in Saint Louis, #21 Georgetown in Kansas City, Vanderbilt and at Oregon. Midwest Best has Missouri finishing 25-5 (12-4) Finishing fourth in the Big 12 and making an Elite Eight run.
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