Missouri Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Tigers

Projected Missouri Starters

PG – SR Jordan Geist

The point guard position was solid in the depth department for Missouri last season but the departures of both Terrance Phillips and Blake Harris left the team with just the rising senior as the only veteran ball handler on the 2018-19 roster.

Geist was the leading passer the Tigers last season but his total was less than 100, or 2.9 per game. Assuming he’s the full-time starter at the point position, he’ll be the key to engineering Missouri’s offense.

SG – FR Torrence Watson

Filling in for Kassius Roberson – the team’s leading scorer (16.3 ppg) and three-point shooter (43%) is of great importance for Missouri in order to balance out the offense between the frontcourt and the backcourt. Watson, a four-star freshman guard is an ideal fit. At 6’5 and 190 pounds he has great size at the two-spot and is considered an elite shooter from long-range. He may not have the same kind of ranking as the top SEC freshmen recruits but his impact could be just as big.

SF – SO KJ Santos

The Tigers have next to no depth on the wings and rather than playing guys out of position, it’s likely that the staff goes with the Illinois-Chicago transfer at the three-spot. Two years ago as a freshman, Santos averaged 7.1 ppg and 4.2 rpg in 24.5 mpg as a starter for the Flames. The 6’8 forward has good upside and considering the success of Roberson (who came from Canisius), Missouri will be hoping for more mid-major transfer success.

PF – SR Kevin Puryear

A three-year starter, Puryear has seen all the ups and downs of the program. The 6’7 forward took a step back in terms of his role in the offense but his overall production stayed the same. His veteran leadership and versatile game make him a solid contributor, as long as he’s not the first or second option on offense (which resulted in many losses his first two seasons).

C- SO Jeremiah Tilmon

The “other” highly touted freshman recruit from a year ago, Tilmon averaged 16.9 ppg and 8.6 rpg per 40 minutes as a starter. He played under 20 mpg and there may be overall limitations in terms of how much he can play, but the 6’10 and 250-pound big man showed that he can be very productive while on the court.