A look at the future of Missouri basketball after Martin’s first year
BRANSON MO NEWS: Cuonzo Martin referenced Gene Keady often during his first year coaching the Missouri men’s basketball team. The former Purdue coach — and now 81-year-old — was a mentor and a father-figure who taught Martin lessons during Martin’s time at Purdue.The two still speak a couple of times a month, Keady said Monday.And as far as Martin’s first year at Missouri goes, Keady thought Missouri overachieved in going 20-13 and making an NCAA Tournament after losing 68 games in the three years prior.
“Anything that Cuonzo does doesn’t surprise me,” Keady said. “He’s a good leader. And you can get people to overachieve if they trust you.”Martin has the trust of the fanbase after year one. He beat Kentucky for the first time in school history. He led the team to its first NCAA Tournament since 2013. The foundation has been laid.“It’s in great hands,” senior guard Kassius Robertson said of the program. “I think this is a great stepping stone. I think he’s going to take this year and just build.”The building has already begun. Here is a look at the outgoing players, the returning players and the incoming players for Missouri in the 2018-19 season:The outgoingKassius Robertson, 6-foot-3 senior guard: Robertson led Missouri in points per game and minutes per game at 16.3 and 36, respectively. He was also named first team All-SEC.Jordan Barnett, 6-6 senior guard: Barnett was the Tigers’ second-leading scorer with 13.7 points per game. His perimeter presence was huge for Missouri this season as well as his leadership during two 3-game losing streaks.Brett Rau, 6-4 senior walk-on guard: Rau was serviceable for Missouri in times of need, including the SEC and NCAA Tournaments where he was essential for depth.The returning (as of now)Jeremiah Tilmon, 6-10 …
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