Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin leaves door open for Michael Porter Jr.'s return this weekend
So you’re saying there’s a chance?
That had to be the reaction of Mizzou fans after hearing Cuonzo Martin update the status of 5-star freshman Michael Porter Jr.
According to Martin, the plan is for Porter to practice on Thursday and Friday, and he’s considered a game-time decision for Saturday against Arkansas.
“It really comes down to how Mike feels,” Martin said via the Kansas City Star. “We’ll go from there.”
Cuonzo: MPJ will play Saturday… “if he feels good.” pic.twitter.com/kCApGNbxVe
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) March 1, 2018
That, of course, is the Tigers’ regular-season finale. The possibility of getting the 6-10 freshman back would certainly inject life into Mizzou heading into the postseason. The Tigers lost 3 of their last 4 games, but they did end a 3-game skid earlier in the week against Vanderbilt.
Mizzou has been without Porter since he injured his back 2 minutes into his collegiate debut. He was cleared to return to basketball activities a week ago, but he hasn’t played in a game yet.
The Tigers are a victory away from their first 20-win season since 2013-14.
In the KC Star, many years ago, when Joe Montana was the KC quarterback, there was a cartoon with Montana in a glass box. It said: “Break glass in case of playoffs.”
I’m reminded of this.
I remember that!!!
This situation defines the media and fans more than it defines M.Porter’s role on the team. It is impossible for the team to bring Porter up to speed without losing momentum at four other positions. I could blame this on Martin by saying he should have solved the high pressure defense problems earlier and better, but there would still be counter-strategy for such a young and physically immature team. And Porter doesn’t bring a unique set of assets to the team, he just does his set better than young men his age. In order of Missouri to make the tourney and advance (this goal is 100 times more important that M.Porter), Missouri has to improve against pressure defense. Martin is late.. but making progress on this now. Arkansas is the perfect opponent for Missouri to end the regular season with tomorrow. What we want is fitness, full court defense on the run, a lot better half-court movement off-the-ball. Good (great is too much to ask from Martin right not) dead ball plays. Excellence on the free-throw line. One more big man to make more defensive and offensive plays. Confidence and execution shooting the ball from every spot on the floor. It’s stupid for college basketball players to not be great shooters from 17,16, and 15 feet on in.