If you are looking for an underdog to rise up in the SEC Tournament, the in-state Tigers could be the smart choice.

Missouri is expecting star freshman Michael Porter Jr. to play Thursday when the Tigers will play their first game of the SEC Tournament against the winner of Wednesday’s Georgia-Vanderbilt contest.

Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin joined Paul Finebaum for the start of his Wednesday program and offered up these comments on Porter:

“I think he will play tomorrow,” Martin said. “He practiced and said he was ready to go… It was about how he felt…for me it was always Mike’s decision to play or not play. His health was most important.”

Martin also noted Porter will not start in the game, he will come off the bench.

The SEC Network host broke the news on Porter just before the start of his Wednesday program, which is airing live from St. Louis’s Scottrade Center — home of the 2018 SEC Championship Tournament.