Tennessee vs Missouri: 5 storylines for SEC opener between ranked foes

Players who left and who returned

Both these teams had mediocre 2019-20 seasons. Missouri ended the season at 7-11 and in tenth place in the SEC. The Volunteers for their efforts ended the 2019-20 season 9-9 which placed them eighth in the SEC. Entering this season, expectations were heightened for both teams and so far have come to fruition.

Getting to the No. 8 rank in the AP Poll should have been more difficult for the Volunteers. Last season saw the players pictured above be honored on Senior Night. Those two players, however, were Jordan Bowden (13.7 ppg) and Lamonte Turner (12.3 ppg) who made up two of the Volunteers’ top three scorers.

The current 6-0 start by Missouri should come less of a surprise as they return their top seven scorers from the 2019-20 team. Granted, this compilation of players led them to a 7-11 record last season, the benefit of experience is being highlighted this season. One does not have to even look outside the SEC to see how Kentucky Basketball’s early struggles are a direct result of having limited time playing together.

Coach Martin did not have to worry about players staying in the NBA Draft, so while Coach Calipari was reduced to viewing high school game tape to get a feel for his players, Coach Martin knew exactly what he was going to be working with throughout the summer. When programs finally got the go-ahead to practice, Coach Calipari had to teach everybody the offense from the start, whereas Coach Martin was able to pick up where he left off and perfect his offense.

While returning players are not inherently better just because they are a year older, with just one freshman and only Drew Buggs transferring into the program, the Missouri Tigers were already prepared to make a run at the SEC Regular Season Championship.