Cuonzo Martin to the podium now to wrap up the season.
Cuonzo said he plans to use all 13 scholarships for the 2018 season, but "we look at all possibilities."
Cuonzo asked about how rare it was to find a grad transfer of the caliber of Kassius Robertson. Said lots of grad transfers can play, but more impressive was how he fit in with team.
Cuonzo says Tilmon has been shooting a lot of 3-pointers. Says he shot 400 this morning. Goal is to shoot 1,000 a day. "He knocks them down, he starts making them in practice, he's allowed to shoot them in a game."
Cuonzo says "I don't think that's going to become who he is," in reference to shooting 3s.
Jontay is not around the team much right now because he is working out in Chicago. Taking classes online.
Cuonzo explains that Jontay will have all the information in front of him from NBA evaluators when he makes his decision whether or not to go pro. Says it's good that players don't have to rely on college coach's opinion whether they are draft-ready.
Cuonzo says April 27 is the day players will find out whether they've been invited to NBA Combine. That's next date to watch in Jontay's decision. Cuonzo says he'd be "shocked" Jontay if Jontay is not invited.
Cuonzo says the case of Xavier Pinson is an example of why summer basketball should not be taken away. He gained exposure playing with AAU team, which allowed him to receiver Division I offers.
Cuonzo says Pinson "likes to play;" he works constantly on ball-handling and passing.
Speaking about Mark Smith, Cuonzo says "I just see him as a guard." Mentions Villanova as an example of successful team playing with multiple guards on the floor.
Cuonzo says Kevin Puryear will not have to be relied on to do more offensively next year. Says team will have players who will be able to score, defense will be the focus.
Says he does not know yet if Cullen VanLeer will have to medically retire. Needs to sit down with VanLeer. "It's something we will look at, for sure."
Martin asked if he takes pride in recruiting locally. Says it's nice for the fans to be able to continue to follow kids they followed in high school. "Fans identify with that."
Also says it's great when parents can see their kids play.
Cuonzo on Torrence Watson: If you can score 50 points in the game, you have the ability to put the ball in the basket. Also notes that he takes pride in playing for Mizzou and representing Missouri. Hopes he will have offensive impact from Day One.
Cuonzo says Javon Pickett's shoulder is fine. He's working out and playing pick-up basketball right now.
Cuonzo says he believes in recruiting momentum, especially in St. Louis, but "it has to be good for the guys who come before." Need current players to have success to recruit successfully.
Asked about first year on the job, Cuonzo says he enjoyed himself. On the floor, says team had a good year, but there were 5 games team could have won but let them slip. Felt players handled off-court issues well. Was pleased with amount of work players put in outside of practice times.
Says lack of depth finally caught up with team against Florida State in tourney.
Asked what he's looking for most in 2018 class: "guards and wings."
Cuonzo says he likes the traditional style of playing two big men, as long as one can shoot. Says he would be open to evolving to four-guard lineup, but feels it's important to have guys who can score in the post and draw double-teams.
Cuonzo says Mitchell Smith has impressed lately. Added 20-25 pounds, and says at times in practice he has been guarding point guards. Praises Smith's toughness.
Asked about team shooting more 3s as game evolves, Cuonzo says "Shoot them all. Shoot."
Cuonzo said he plans to use all 13 scholarships for the 2018 season, but "we look at all possibilities."
Cuonzo asked about how rare it was to find a grad transfer of the caliber of Kassius Robertson. Said lots of grad transfers can play, but more impressive was how he fit in with team.
Cuonzo says Tilmon has been shooting a lot of 3-pointers. Says he shot 400 this morning. Goal is to shoot 1,000 a day. "He knocks them down, he starts making them in practice, he's allowed to shoot them in a game."
Cuonzo says "I don't think that's going to become who he is," in reference to shooting 3s.
Jontay is not around the team much right now because he is working out in Chicago. Taking classes online.
Cuonzo explains that Jontay will have all the information in front of him from NBA evaluators when he makes his decision whether or not to go pro. Says it's good that players don't have to rely on college coach's opinion whether they are draft-ready.
Cuonzo says April 27 is the day players will find out whether they've been invited to NBA Combine. That's next date to watch in Jontay's decision. Cuonzo says he'd be "shocked" Jontay if Jontay is not invited.
Cuonzo says the case of Xavier Pinson is an example of why summer basketball should not be taken away. He gained exposure playing with AAU team, which allowed him to receiver Division I offers.
Cuonzo says Pinson "likes to play;" he works constantly on ball-handling and passing.
Speaking about Mark Smith, Cuonzo says "I just see him as a guard." Mentions Villanova as an example of successful team playing with multiple guards on the floor.
Cuonzo says Kevin Puryear will not have to be relied on to do more offensively next year. Says team will have players who will be able to score, defense will be the focus.
Says he does not know yet if Cullen VanLeer will have to medically retire. Needs to sit down with VanLeer. "It's something we will look at, for sure."
Martin asked if he takes pride in recruiting locally. Says it's nice for the fans to be able to continue to follow kids they followed in high school. "Fans identify with that."
Also says it's great when parents can see their kids play.
Cuonzo on Torrence Watson: If you can score 50 points in the game, you have the ability to put the ball in the basket. Also notes that he takes pride in playing for Mizzou and representing Missouri. Hopes he will have offensive impact from Day One.
Cuonzo says Javon Pickett's shoulder is fine. He's working out and playing pick-up basketball right now.
Cuonzo says he believes in recruiting momentum, especially in St. Louis, but "it has to be good for the guys who come before." Need current players to have success to recruit successfully.
Asked about first year on the job, Cuonzo says he enjoyed himself. On the floor, says team had a good year, but there were 5 games team could have won but let them slip. Felt players handled off-court issues well. Was pleased with amount of work players put in outside of practice times.
Says lack of depth finally caught up with team against Florida State in tourney.
Asked what he's looking for most in 2018 class: "guards and wings."
Cuonzo says he likes the traditional style of playing two big men, as long as one can shoot. Says he would be open to evolving to four-guard lineup, but feels it's important to have guys who can score in the post and draw double-teams.
Cuonzo says Mitchell Smith has impressed lately. Added 20-25 pounds, and says at times in practice he has been guarding point guards. Praises Smith's toughness.
Asked about team shooting more 3s as game evolves, Cuonzo says "Shoot them all. Shoot."
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