I was probably overly optimistic

Posted on: November 18, 2016 at 22:32:16 CT

In my expectations after yesterday's close loss to Xavier. I expressed my belief that we seemed to have four legitimate SEC caliber players on the roster and would easily finish above .500 this year. What I failed to consider was our staff's ability to motivate and adjust and prepare.

I still believe that Hughes, Puryear, Phillips and Jackson are SEC capable players. I will add Nikko to that, based on potential. He could really be good if he develops but still has no inclination to rebound or the ability to play defense.

CVL is not a high major starting player. I like him as a player (he gives effort and does the best he can and hits a shot or two this year), but he should be at Northern Illinois or Drake. Even at those programs he probably wouldn't play over 30 minutes per game. Walton is the sloppiest guy we have had in a long time and I don't blame KA for not playing him.

I am kind of fond of poor Russell Woods. He could never have imagined he would be recruited to be the starting center for a power five team. It would have been inconceivable given his talent level. That is where he finds himself, though, and I think he does his best. He had a unique opportunity to come to Mizzou and be a starter, and I think he tries to do his best.

Apparently Mitchell Smith isn't good enough to take the floor (I'll trust KA on that) and the guy from Utah was a completely wasted scholarship.

Not a great roster, but certainly shouldn't get blown out by Davidson on a neutral court in the first five minutes. Davidson is always very well coached by McKillop, though, and we have nothing like that. We fell behind and then relied on Phillips and Hughes driving the lane one against four and throwing up circus shots that even Allen Iverson couldn't make.