Pressey Forgoes Senior Year For Nba

[moguy1973]

That should make things interesting with Mizzou basketball next year.

[stlfisher]

Pressey frustrated the heck out of me last year. I think staying another year would have benefitied him, but next year will be a transition year for Missouri....I would assume that played into his decision. I think he is a good player, but I am not going to miss his late game antics.

I think making the tourney would be an accomplishiment enough for this team next year.

[moguy1973]

They have him ranked as the 81st best player available right now. To me that doesn't get him drafted since there are 2 rounds of 30 teams in the draft.

Looks like he's committed another turnover late in the game

[Quillback]

Yeah I don't see him as being a good NBA prospect, he might be able to play overseas and I guess a player gets paid reasonably well playing over there, but it's not NBA money. He'd be better served to stay in school, take advantage of his scholarship and get a degree that gives him some kind of marketable skill.

[exiledguide]

I heard him described as the most talented uncoachable player in college this past year. I had to agree. I couldn't believe that he wasn't benched at the end of games.

[ozark trout fisher]

He's probably a late second round pick, according to most sources. But he does certainly run the risk of going undrafted. But Haith's system just wasn't working for him last year, and I'm not sure his tendencies to try to take over a game would improve. And the draft will be stronger next year, with a lot of good freshman coming in to college basketball. So in short, good luck to him, and Missouri should move on and be fine. Next season might be a rebuilding year, but Haith is bringing in top 20 recruiting classes, so the longer term future looks bright.

For 2013-14, I'd expect anywhere from 17-20 wins. Probably an NIT team if we're being honest. But if that leads to better things in the future, then I'm willing to be patient. That said, if our top recruits (Wes Clark at point and Johnathan Williams III at forward) can make an early impact (and they are highly rated, so there is at least a legitimate chance of that) the NCAA tournament is a very real possibility. Also, if Jabari Brown and/or Earnest Ross can become the next Marcus Denmon or Kim English, then we could be pretty good. It will at least be interesting.

But I'm thinking football already, honestly. Missouri should be much better next year. Interesting quarterback competition between Mauk and Franklin (and maybe Berkstresser.) I'm thinking 3-4th in the SEC east and something like 7-5, though I'd be far from surprised if they really rebounded and ended up in the top 25. It's all about staying healthy, and the schedule seems a lot easier.

[stlfisher]

yeah...on to football now. Mizzou should be better, but the lines ate the key. they have to stay healthy up front...they just don't have the depth to sustain injuries at that position. i am really interested to see henry josey run again...he was explosive before his knee injury a few years ago. Receiving core should be a strength.

[ozark trout fisher]

Everything I've heard points to Josey getting at least somewhat close to the RB we were used to seeing in 2011. I agree, it will be interesting to see how he looks in the spring game. As bad as it probably is to say this, all of the injuries last season along our offensive line will actually make that position stronger this season. We have considerably more depth there now. The defensive line is what I'm really worried about. We have very little depth there, not a good thing in the SEC.

I'm actually not worried about the quarterback position. I honestly have no idea who will start, but we are going to have 2-3 guys out there that are going to be capable of playing in the SEC. So while I want to stay away from injuries as that position (or any other) it's probably more survivable. I hear great things about how mobile Mauk is in the pocket. I'm kind of cheering for Franklin to keep his job, but I could think of worse things than Mauk taking over. Good problems to have. I'm cautiously optimistic. I really want Pinkel to stay, and I really think he'll get it done this year. We just need to see slight improvement. I think 7 wins would do it for now, we all want more, but I think that would be a significant step in the right direction.

[snap]

....with the way all these underclassmen are coming out (seems that is all I see on the bottom of the screen when watching espn) pressey keeps dropping down on the draft list.......seems like most of the early outs are guards also!!!.......BIG mistake on his part IMO!!!!

[ozark trout fisher]

I think his concern (right or wrong) was that his draft stock wasn't going up any further. The draft next year will be much stronger. And with Mizzou losing its whole front court except for Tony Criswell, there aren't going to be as many experienced options to dump it off to in the post next season. In short, it sometimes hurts your draft stock to stick around through rebuilding situations (although as rebuilding years go, Mizzou should still be pretty decent next year.)

As for Mizzou, it'll be interesting to see how this affects their prospects. It depends on Wes Clark and Jordan Clarkson who will have to step up. Also whether Tony Criswell and our other post options can improve quickly is pretty important. Mizzou can make the tournament if things go well. But there won't be as much margin for error as we're used to.