With four of Missouri Basketball’s five starting spots presumably occupied by Phil Pressey (G), Michael Dixon (G), Laurence Bowers (F), and Alex Oriakhi (C), a tough decision must be made by Coach Frank Haith as to which talented transfer will be on the court for tip off.
Considering the amount that Haith used Dixon off the bench last year (he was the unofficial 6th Man of the Year, logging more minutes than 2 starters and averaging well over 13 points per game), both candidates figure to play large roles in the success of this year’s team. However, only one will have his name read over the sound system during pre-game ceremonies.
Twitter/Earnest Ross
Earnest Ross (6-foot-5 222 lbs, JR, G)
Ross is a transfer from Auburn who is a valuable addition to the Tigers, if for no other reason, than for his two years of playing experience in the SEC. Add to that a player who, during his sophomore season in 2010-11, led the team in both points and rebounds, and you have a solid basketball player who figures to contribute in a big way.
Speaking of big, Ross is massive. As a guard, 6’5″ and 222lbs is already oversized for college basketball, but with his broad shoulders and high-top fade, he looks even bigger. This is a guy that could knock down a three pointer and then dominate the boards on back-to-back times down the court. The downside? His shooting percentage at Auburn was below average. In fact, a shooting percentage of .389 would have ranked him dead last had he played for Missouri last season. In his defense, there wasn’t much talent around him on an Auburn team that went 11-20 that year, and he may have been forced to try and do too much.
If he wants to win a starting job this year, he will have to become more consistent with his shooting and show the ability to play perimeter defense against strong guards like himself.
Twitter/Keion Bell
Keion Bell (6-foot-4 200 lbs SR, G)
Keion Bell is a special talent. Anyone that saw him land the #1 play on SportsCenter last Friday with a dunk over 6 people can confirm that.
Bell is lightning fast down the lane and can score with the best of them: he led the Pepperdine Waves in point during each of his three seasons there, culminating in 18.9 points per game in 2010-11. Tigers fans will have to adjust to watching Bell knife through the lane this year at 6-foot-4, considering that in the past that trade has been reserved for Pressey and Dixon, who stand at a generous 5-foot-11 and 6-foot-1, respectively.
Bell’s weakness becomes brutally evident when you check out his turnover totals. He averaged 4.2 turnovers during the 20 games he played 2 years ago. For all of you Tiger fans who complained about Phil Pressey’s sporadic ball insecurity last year while averaging 2.4 turnovers/game, Keion Bell may give you indigestion. Had he played in the full 33 game slate that Pepperdine had scheduled (he left the team after 20 games), Bell’s 4.2 turnovers/game would have had him finishing with 138 turnovers, or 2nd most in all of college basketball.
Granted, Bell figures to get very little time running the point this year, but the turnovers are going to have to be severely tapered, or he may find himself in Coach Haith’s doghouse.
The verdict? Earnest Ross should be the Missouri Tigers’ 5th starter. He brings more size and consistency to a lineup that features two small guards, and gives them a guy who can play defense against the bigger guards of the SEC. Keion Bell’s style of play fits hand-in-glove to the role Michael Dixon played last year: giving the Tigers that spark off the bench early in the game. With Ross’ size and experience in the SEC combined with Keion Bell’s electric play off the bench, the Tigers will be hard to beat in the SEC.
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