Missouri Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Tigers

ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 08: Jontay Porter #11 of the Missouri Tigers dribbles the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 8, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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Missouri Basketball was finally able to escape the bottom of the SEC after a 20-win season. Will the Tigers have another quality year for 2018-19?

Before the start of last season, Missouri Basketball was arguably the worst power conference program in the three years prior. The Tigers went a combined 27-68, including going an awful 8-46 in an SEC that wasn’t nearly as strong as it looks now.

But things changed early when Cuonzo Martin came over from Cal, bringing in high-level recruiting experience. It paid off immediately, with five-star sibling recruits Michael and Jontay Porter joining the team, along with another top-100 prospect in Jeremiah Tilmon.

Those new freshmen combined with the returning experienced veterans made for a perfect recipe, with Missouri going 20-13 (10-8) this past season. It was all the more impressive considering that eventual lottery pick Porter Jr. missed almost all of the season with an injury. The best newcomer turned out to be a grad transfer in Kassius Robertson, who led the team with 16.3 ppg and was crucial in the wins the Tigers needed to go dancing.

Along with Jordan Barnett, Missouri will lose both of their double-digit scorers for this upcoming season. However, both Jontay Porter and Tilmon did decide to return for their sophomore seasons, giving fans hope that they won’t go back to the pack in the SEC.

So how will the Tigers do for the 2018-19 season? Who’re the projected starters and key players for the team? Who’re their toughest opponents that they’ll face? And will they make it back to the NCAA Tournament? Hopefully, this preview will answer some of those questions.

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