Missouri Basketball: 5 Positive Signs For 2014-15 Season

By Taylor Sturm

Missouri Basketball: Positive Signs For 2014-15 Season

Missouri Basketball — The Missouri Tigers consistently failed to meet expectations under Frank Haith, but look to turn things around under new head coach Kim Anderson, formerly of Central Missouri. Mizzou clearly loses talent all over the court, but can it compete anyway in the 2014-15 college basketball season? Here are five positives for Missouri basketball going into next season.

5. New Head Coach

Central Missouri Basketball

5. New Head Coach

Central Missouri Basketball — I’ve personally never been a fan of Frank Haith. He lets programs run far too loosely – see all the recent arrests of Mizzou players after Haith’s departure. Kim Anderson will change the basketball culture at the University of Missouri and bring them back to their winning ways. Remember when Missouri was considered a lock for the NCAA tournament year in and year out?

4. Non-Conference Schedule Strength

Missouri Basketball

4. Non-Conference Schedule Strength

Missouri Basketball — One thing that Missouri’s schedule has that several other SEC teams don’t have is a plethora of bubble teams. Where many SEC teams play one or two NCAA tournament lock teams and a few small bubble teams, the Tigers play Lipscomb, (potentially) Purdue, Elon, Illinois, Oklahoma State and Xavier. Beating these expected top 100 RPI teams could go a long way in a run to the tournament.

3. Youth

Mizzou basketball

3. Youth

Mizzou basketball — This Missouri team will be one of the youngest and least experienced squads in the SEC. If these players can play to their full potential, they could fit in perfectly in the new head coach’s scheme, which could lead to a much better season than many expected.

2. Johnathan Williams III

Johnathan Williams III

2. Johnathan Williams III

Johnathan Williams III — Williams dominated opponents on the glass last season, but wasn’t able to produce offensively due to the immense talent around him in Jordan Clarkson and Jabari Brown. With those players gone and the sophomore from Memphis arguably the most talented player on the roster, Williams is primed for success.

1. Very Easy Away SEC Schedule

JW3

1. Very Easy Away SEC Schedule

JW3 — Next to the away game with the Kentucky Wildcats and the Arkansas Razorbacks, every away game in conference play is a winnable game. This is huge for a team rebuilding after losing a huge portion of their team to the NBA draft and graduation.

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Missouri Tigers

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