Missouri Tigers
SEC (22-11, 9-9)
Missouri started off strong, winning 12 of 13 games in non-conference play. That included wins over UCLA, West Virginia and North Carolina State. But conference play got off to a bad start with an overtime home loss to Georgia. That set the stage for an average showing in the average SEC.
Big Wins: 12/7 UCLA (80-71), 12/28 at North Carolina State (68-64), 1/28 at Arkansas (75-71)
Bad Losses: 1/16 at Vanderbilt (75-78), 1/8 Georgia (64-70), 2/22 at Alabama (73-80)
Coach: Frank Haith (3 seasons at Missouri)
Why They Can Surprise:
The big Missouri backcourt has caused major problems for most opposing defenses. Jabari Brown, Jordan Clarkson and Earnest Ross account for over two-thirds of Missouri’s points. Brown averages 19.8 points per game and adds 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Clarkson is right behind Brown in the scoring department at 17.7 points and also leads the way with 3.4 assists. Ross is a huge reason why this team is so productive on the glass. He averages 6.1 boards per game and 13.7 points. Those three form one of the most dynamic backcourts in the country and they simply do it all for the Tigers.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The problem is nobody behind Brown, Clarkson and Ross has much of a scoring punch. Johnathan Williams is developing into a great post player and is a solid rebounder and a dangerous shot blocker, but he ranks fourth on the team with just 5.9 points per game. Ryan Rosburg, a 6-10 sophomore, and Tony Criswell, a 6-9 senior, add more size to the frontcourt and always help out on the glass, but that is about it. For most of them, that is more than enough, but opening up space for the backcourt by having a consistent scoring threat inside would be huge.
Probable Starters:
Jordan Clarkson, Junior, Guard, 17.7 ppg, 3.4 apg
Jabari Brown, Junior, Guard, 19.8 ppg, 2.0 apg
Earnest Ross, Senior, Guard, 13.7 ppg, 1.3 apg, 6.1 rpg
Johnathan Williams, Freshman, Forward, 5.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Ryan Rosburg, Sophomore, Forward, 4.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Wes Clark, Freshman, Guard, 4.1 ppg, 2.1 apg
Tony Criswell, Senior, Forward, 3.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Torren Jones, Freshman, Forward, 1.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 73.1 (112th in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 69.0 (146, 8)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.8 (95, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.2 (71, 9)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.0 (191, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.9 (145, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 73.9 (37, 1)
Rebound Margin: 5.1 (30, 4)
Assists Per Game: 10.5 (317, 13)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.4 (183, 8)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013 NCAA Second Round loss to Colorado State
2012 NCAA Second Round loss to Norfolk State
2011 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Cincinnati
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Clemson
2010 NCAA Round of 32 loss to West Virginia
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Cornell
2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over Marquette
2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Memphis
2009 NCAA Regional Final loss to Connecticut
2005 NIT First Round loss to DePaul
2004 NIT First Round loss to Michigan
*all team stats through 3/9
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
