Mizzou basketball wants a big man. Here’s how Tigers are attacking transfer portal
There’s a tall need on the Missouri men’s basketball roster. Literally, in fact.
MU needs height on its roster. There’s no secret to that, and it’s becoming more and more clear the coaching staff is doing what it needs to in order to erase that weakness.
With Kobe Brown’s future at MU still an unknown, plus the departures of Mohamed Diarra and Ronnie DeGray, the Tigers need depth and a player who can potentially start.
With Colorado State transfer guard John Tonje committed, MU can focus on adding that height.
Here’s what to know about the Tigers’ efforts to add height.
Where Mizzou’s transfer portal efforts sit
Micah Handlogten was a transfer from Marshall who included Missouri on his list of finalists. He choose Florida.
So it’s on to the next one for MU.
Still, there are others Dennis Gates and his staff could target in the coming month. That includes a pair of Power Five transfers ... both from the ACC, in fact.
Kadin Shedrick, Virginia transfer
Shedrick would be a welcome addition considering his background and potential. At 6-foot-11, he would fill the major size need the Tigers currently have. That size issue was exposed at times during SEC play and in the NCAA Tournament against Princeton.
It’s easy to balk at Shedrick’s stats. Last year, he averaged 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game and shot 63.4% from the field. Those lower averages can be explained by Shedrick playing just over 17 minutes per game.
With an increased workload, it’s easy to assume Shedrick would average a better stat line, especially as a featured player in the Mizzou frontcourt.
Shedrick also comes from Virginia, a defense-first program led by Tony Bennett. That experience is something that will serve him well.
MU will have to put in some recruiting work, as Shedrick is has a reported final list of Duke, Texas, Missouri, Kansas State and Xavier. However, that Duke option may have changed as Kyle Filipowski has decided to return to Duke.
Jesse Edwards, Syracuse transfer
An example of how fast the portal can change a team’s direction came Tuesday.
Edwards was a standout for Syracuse. He averaged 14.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. Edwards instantly became one of the best big men in the portal.
Missouri wasted no time reaching out.
Edwards is listed at 6-foot-11, 230 pounds. That frame would give MU immediate size, and his proven production fits right into what the Tigers need.
MU will have competition: Georgia, LSU, Arkansas, West Virginia, BYU, Gonzaga, Seton Hall, Vanderbilt, Kansas State, Memphis, NC State and Florida have all reportedly reached out to Edwards.
The bottom line, however, is the portal will most likely still revolve with new players. Missouri will have more opportunities to fill its needs, now or even later.
The Star has partnered with the Columbia Daily Tribune for coverage of Missouri Tigers athletics.
