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Missouri Basketball: 3 key questions facing the Tigers in 2018-19

By TJ Miller

COLUMBIA, MO - DECEMBER 05: Head coach Cuonzo Martin of the Missouri Tigers coaches from the bench during the game against the Miami (Oh) Redhawks at Mizzou Arena on December 5, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - DECEMBER 05: Head coach Cuonzo Martin of the Missouri Tigers coaches from the bench during the game against the Miami (Oh) Redhawks at Mizzou Arena on December 5, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, MO – DECEMBER 19: Blake Harris
COLUMBIA, MO – DECEMBER 19: Blake Harris /

After a few awful years, Missouri Basketball has regained relevance in the SEC. Will they be able to keep it up? Here are three key questions facing the Tigers.

Basketball is fun again in Columbia, Missouri., with the arrival of Cuonzo Martin is a big reason why.

In his 1st year with the program, Cuonzo Martin led Mizzou back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the Tigers reached back in 2012-13. This is after Missouri went an abysmal 27-68 over the course of a three-year span. Mizzou wasn’t good, and they certainly weren’t much fun to watch.

Martin wasted no time in turning things around. Consider these positives…

  • Mizzou finished 20-13 (10-8) on the year, good for a 4th place finish in a tough SEC
  • Despite having limited time, Martin was able to sign 4 top 100 recruits for 2017-18
  • Martin will get both Jontay Porter and Jeremiah Tilmon coming for 2018-19

One year is way too soon for Mizzou to declare Cuanzo Martin a brilliant hire. This program hasn’t exactly been blessed with the longest of tenured coaches in the past, so exhibiting a little caution might be wise. But, make no mistake, Martin’s ability to draw high-level recruits and then get them to buy in as a group is a very encouraging sign.

The team itself faces some big challenges entering 2018-19. The Tigers lose their top two leading scorers and won’t get a chance to see if Michael Porter Jr. could get 100% healthy in a Missouri uniform. They’ll also have to fight their way through an SEC that could be the most competitive it’s been in quite some time. And yet, Jontay Porter’s decision to return for his sophomore year is huge. Pair him with a cast of talented and hard-working players who are committed to defense and you have what should be a fun team to watch.

Here are 3 key questions facing the Tigers 2018-19.

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