I added the asterisk to the headline because we think Missouri is done with their roster… but they are leaving a spot open just in case.
What does “just in case” mean? Well I think it would take a big shift or change for Dennis Gates and the Missouri Tigers to add another player to the roster. These days, a big shift or change is in the water more often than not, so it’s entirely possible we’re doing this again before the start of the season. But also it’s probably not likely. I don’t know.
But when
Jordan Crawford committed to Missouri on Tuesday, he cemented the final piece of the roster to our current expectations. Crawford, a redshirt junior from South Dakota, by way of Eastern Kentucky via Charleston, has one more year to complete his eligibility. While at South Dakota he averaged 14.4 points in 31 minutes per game over 32 games. He was a combo guard for the Coyotes and chipped in 18 points when they ventured into Mizzou Arena last November.
Crawford isn’t a 1 for 1 fill in for what the Tigers need, but he’s a 37% shooter from outside who only had an 11.0% turnover rate while handling more than 20% of the possessions. Missouri needed a versatile player who was some combination of a reserve point guard who can shoot it. Crawford can handle it, and shoot it, so he’s close to a one for one fill in for what they need. But the roster is set, so let’s see what it looks like.
I’ve adjusted the roster graphic to reflect how many years of eligibility each player might have if/when the NCAA passes the expected 5 by 5 plan. Luke Northweather and Jordan Crawford are the two seniors who both redshirted in college, they were part of the class of 2022.
Jaylen Carey, Kennard Davis, Jr, and Trent Pierce are all part of the class of 2023 but have played three years. They would all be seniors under the regular 4 by 5 rules the NCAA exists under currently. So if 5 by 5 passes, they would all have another year of eligibility after this upcoming season.
So looking ahead to the signing class this upcoming fall, which already includes 4-star guard Scottie Adkinson, Mizzou may not be looking for much.
The guard position next season is a little light. Jason Crowe is going to command a healthy amount of time and attention, Missouri is hoping that Aaron Rowe is ready to take on a reserve role, and they’re also betting Jordan Crawford and Kennard Davis are both able to handle some primary ball handler moments.
The wing position is deep though, especially if you consider Davis a wing, which is what he played at BYU and some at SIU. Trent Pierce has been a fixture now for two seasons. I don’t know what to expect from Annor Boateng other than he’s nursing an injury. Aidan Chronister should fit nicely into the same sort of position as Pierce, a high level shooter who can defend multiple positions but maybe isn’t much more than a 3&D type. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it, either. Those guys are highly valuable.
Jamier Jones has star potential. We’ll see if he can reach it.
Beyond the wings, the post situation is in good shape. Jaylen Carey is on his worst day a solid interior player. His BPR on EvanMiya.com was north of 4.0 which is more than respectable. Trent Burns flashed at times, and Toni Bryant is an McDonalds All American. Don’t forget about Nicholas Randall who has all the tools to be a good player.
Then there’s Bryson Tiller, the transfer from Kansas who might have the biggest upside on the roster. Tiller’s defensive rating was amongst the 25 best in the Big 12, but the offensive rating was… uh, not great. The tools are there, and Tiller has long projected to be an elite post presence. We’ll see if Gates and Mizzou can unlock him.
But at the very least the interior defense has been elevated significantly.
Building out a top of the rotation, it seems likely you have a solid top group.
The top four transfers, Davis, Jones, Tiller, and Carey are all going to play a lot. Crowe is also going to play a lot. Then Trent Pierce should play a lot.
After that, I think roles are going to be up for a fight.
How ready is Toni Bryant or Aaron Rowe? How much is Burns ready to shoulder? Can Chronister crack the rotation? Is Boateng healthy at all? How big of a role will Crawford play?
That’s where things stand right now. There’s a long way to go before November.
