Assessing Transfer Portal Needs: A look at the Mizzou Basketball Depth Chart

With the Mizzou Basketball season wrapped up, after a disappointing NCAA Tournament loss to Drake, it’s the time of year where talk of the Transfer Portal heats up. But you can’t go after portal targets unless you’ve assessed your own needs. So what we’ll do here is talk about the existing roster, who’s leaving, who’s likely to return, who might bolt for the portal themselves, and what holes are left to fill. Let’s start with who can’t return There are five players and one walk-on who have expiring eligibility out of an 18 person roster, including three walk-ons. Here’s a

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I really hope Trent stays. He wont have a better opportunity at any other school. I hope he's thinking about working hard this offseason. He knows what his problem is...he admitted it in a short video, I think it was that one " Meet Trent Pierce" He said his problem is a lack of confidence....getting down on his self. So...his support system is already in place at Mizzou. Gates is on record saying he loves all his players....if so, Trent wont get that same relationship as strong as the one at Mizzou...relationships take time. ...and Gates already knows what his issues are. Some kids grown out of it with the right people helping. The kid is going to be a jr. A little more maturity can also help him to get over the insecurities as well. He has all the tools...just need to work in the physical aswell as the mental. Hope he stays, he;s a great kid! Just think....the kid has all the tools take over a team in spurts...just needs to get healthy mentally.

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If we bring in only one transfer perimeter player, and even if he is an alpha scoring guard who can shoot, what other player can we rely on as a top three scorer who can also space the floor? Hopefully Trent, but not yet proven. Probably Jacob, but in a reserve role. I would think another guard or wing who can shoot is important to next year's success, although I suppose the staff could minimize the number of transfers and emphasize development of the young players, even if it meant risking a small step backwards in terms of wins. But maybe I'm putting too much focus on scoring. I suppose if more minutes go to Allen, Boateng, and Barrett we might gain in defense whatever we lose in offense. Anyway, that possible second perimeter player in relation to what assumptions we are making about the roster is my curiosity at this point.

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If the right player materializes, you pursue it. The focus should be on a scoring CG and a big, but you can find shooters in the portal at a reasonable value. I also would take the opposite position on a step back. There's a lotof turn over happening across the SEC. MU might be among the leaders in returning production. I'd want to maximize that window of opportunity.

Along those lines, Trent probably needs a little positional clarity. If he's a wing and mostly tracking perimeter players, there's some core work to do, but I wouldn't want to overwhelm his frame. But if they plan to use him more as a four, I think you have to be really thoughtful about what his S&C program looks like.

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Years ago….when a freshman at Texas, Kevin Durant was heads and shoulders above other players …of course physically at 6’9 at the time, but in terms of basketball skill, the kid had it all. But the word was…kids to skinny…needs to eat more, put on strength!. He tried in college…he weighted around 195. Fast food and gummy bears really didn’t do it. He focused on gaining pounds for the draft….up to 222, He did adopt a better diet in the NBA, but as it stands now, he’s 240. Durant is still skinny, some of that weight comes with age, some with a better diet. But the dude is still skinny, and muscled around by those bigger. Look at Wimby at SA…look at Holmgren at OKC. These guys aren’t “thick” or strong at all! How bout Shai Gilgeous-Alexander! Skinny as all get out! As much as I would love for Trent to pickup weight, he may not have it in him to keep it on if he does gain it. But what Trent needs to work on is balance! He needsto work on keeping his balance when he is bumped. All those mentioned above have it. Doesn’t mean you won’t fall when bumped, but not as easily. When going up for a shot and it’s challenged, you can keep your balance as you follow through….strength also helps here. So balance (as well as strength) is one part of what he needs to build upon. Also….all the players I mentioned above share one thing in common with Trent, but Trent needs to work on it more. Skill! Every one of the guys above are supper skilled and among the most feared in the NBA….skinny as they are. If Trent can get a consistent high skill level while in college, everything else will take care of its self. It did for Durant, For Wimby, for Holmgren and Alexander. All of the above are the skinniest of the skinny and among the most feared.

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