2010-11 College Basketball Predictions: Missouri

November 22, 2010

BetOnline

Missouri head coach Mike Anderson supposedly rejected a contract that would have given him close to $2 million per season to coach at Oregon. Missouri would have been in no shape to equal that offer, a season after they gave Anderson a new seven-year contract valued $1.55 million per year. The decision by Anderson to stay points quite a bit about his character. This will be his fifth season in Columbia, and he wants to complete what he started. A veteran roster along with a Top 10 recruiting class gives Missouri an opportunity to do some serious damage not only in the conference, but in the NCAA Tournament. After reaching the Elite Eight in 2009, Missouri went 23-11 overall and 10-6 in conference play last season while making it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

BetUS has listed Missouri at +600 to win the league this year. I think this is the best value bet among college basketball lines in terms of futures betting for the Big 12. Missouri is surely a sleeper, and will be a force this year just two years removed from reaching the Elite Eight. This sportsbook will give you $500 free cash by signing up for a new account and depositing $500 or more.

Jack Jones offers college basketball picks at affordable prices. Sign up for a premium subscription with him as he continues his 37-23 (62%) CBB run after ending last season very strong.

Frontcourt:

Justin Safford returns from a torn ACL for his senior season, making him the lone senior on Missouri’s roster. Junior Laurence Bowers has recovered from offseason wrist surgery, and promises to continue his stellar play within the Big 12 where he led the Tigers in rebounds and blocked shots last season. Bringing in both Ricardo Ratliffe and Tony Mitchell has Columbia humming. Ratliffe was the nation’s best junior college players last year, averaging 27.4 points and 11.3 rebounds for Central Florida Community College. As good as Ratliffe will likely perform, Mitchell has the upside to be even better. He was a top-15 recruit with NBA talent who, if he can keep his grades up, will probably be a big addition for Missouri. Providing depth in the paint is junior Steve Moore along with sophomore John Underwood.

Backcourt:

No doubt the Tigers will miss the skills of J.T. Tilller and Zaire Taylor, two team leaders who were able to lock down opponents on the defensive end. But there are still a lot of talented guys on the roster, as junior Kim English is the school’s top returning point producer at 14.0 PPG. Junior Marcus Denmon scored 10.4 PPG and hit 40.7% from behind the line last season. English must make more of his shots after hitting just 34.6 percent of his attempts, and he also needs to protect the basketball after turning the ball over a team high 71 times. Sophomore Michael Dixon will probably get the first opportunity to run the point, especially with his speed and ball-handling skills. If he can make more of his jump shots, the sky is the limit for Dixon. Phil and Matt Pressey are two brothers and two new faces Missouri is counting on immediately. Both are sons of former NBA player Paul Pressley, who was Anderson’s college roommate. Phil is a freshman who is one of the top recruits at point guard, while Matt is a junior college All-American. Look for freshman Ricky Kreklow to work his way into some playing time as well due to his smooth shooting stroke.

Jack’s Prediction: 4th Place in the conference – Anderson coaches a fast paced style of basketball, and he has the depth this year to run his scheme to perfection. Kansas, Kansas State and Baylor are the preseason favorites to compete for the league championship, but if Anderson can get his new players to buy into his defensive philosophy, then the Tigers will be competing for that championship as well. The Tigers have never reached the Final Four, and they don’t just want to make it to the NCAA Tournament for a third consecutive year. Anderson stuck around because he knows the talent this team has and their potential, which makes Missouri a clear sleeper in both the Big 12 and on a national level.

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