Missouri commences practices with new look

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Nearly everything about the Missouri basketball program is new this season.

With a revamped coaching staff, five new players and the $75 million Paige Sports Arena, the Tigers opened practice Saturday with a new look.

After struggling to meet lofty expectations and finishing 16-14 with a first-round loss in the NIT last season, the Tigers dealt with an NCAA investigation, the results of which will be announced soon.

Missouri coach Quin Snyder said he is ready to move on.

"I don't feel like there's all that much going on right now," Snyder said. "We've got a new building and we've got a pretty good team. I'd like to stop talking about all that's going on. What's going on is that we're practicing."

The Tigers lost Arthur Johnson, Rickey Paulding, Travon Bryant and Josh Kroenke, who contributed 45 points and 19.6 rebounds per game last season. Four freshmen and a transfer -- Marcus Watkins, who came to Missouri from Texas A&M after his father, Melvin, was named associate coach -- will be asked to help replace that production.

Freshman Jason Horton will likely be the starting point guard. He and Spencer Laurie, who played sparingly last season, will run a revamped offense.

"We're relying on a freshman and a sophomore, so there is going to be some growing pains there," Snyder said.

Horton's arrival allows Jimmy McKinney, who played out of position at point guard much of last season, to return to the off-guard spot. McKinney said he appreciated the change.

"This will probably be one of the happiest years I've had so far," he said.

After losing established big men Johnson and Bryant, the Missouri offense will shift to what Snyder calls an "international" style, which relies on constant movement and sharing the ball.

"A lot of times, personnel dictates style, within certain parameters," Snyder said. "Our personnel lends itself to a more open style, more drive-and-kick, more on-ball screens, more handoffs."

Said guard Jason Conley: "We haven't really gotten into all the details."

Missouri opens against Brown in the Guardians Classic on Nov. 15.