Friday, Oct. 12 This team has promise. Missouri saw the future in its NCAA Tournament game against Duke, but still has depth and youth issues. Kareem Rush is the best player in the Big 12, and attacks with his shot or drive. His jab step and fade-away jumper are stellar, and he needs only to show more strength to turn the corner and finish with authority with a "can't be denied" mentality. If Arthur Johnson and Travon Bryant mature into top quality big men, which they will someday be, Missouri can win the Big 12. Watch for Najeeb Echols, a top quality athlete who can handle, drive and play four positions, and Duane John, a Latrell Sprewell-type player with a junkyard dog mentality.

8
Missouri
LAST SEASON: 20-13
2001 FINAL RANKING: NR

Why No. 8?
The Tigers might be the most athletic team in the Big 12 and they have the best scorer in Kareem Rush. The chemistry finally seems to be in place with Clarence Gilbert accepting a reduced role. But the beauty of this team is its ability to put four players on the court who can put the ball on the floor at any time. They might not be ask to, or need to, but they can. Look for breakout seasons from Travon Bryant inside and out, Rickey Paulding from the wing, Duane John on the offensive glass amd from the perimeter, and Najeeb Echols doing a little bit of everything. Wesley Stokes is a bit wild, but he's gutsy and should contribute to the maturity and leadership of this team. Quin Snyder has Missouri's best shot in decades to get to the Final Four for the first time in school history. If they can get consistent inside play then they've got a realistic shot.

Will Rise If ...
The Tigers do get the necessary production in the post out of Arthur Johnson, Travon Bryant and Uche Okafor, if he's eligible. The Tigers won't struggle to score in the post. They'll use Najeeb Echols at times inside but they can't have all the pressure to produce be on Kareem Rush. Johnson can be a bear inside and Bryant can put the ball on the floor but he has to be a presence in the post. Okafor probably won't have that problem.

Will Fall If ...
Chemistry splits this team apart. They've got all the talent necessary, even without Okafor, to win the Big 12. But they need to get along. Wesley Stokes and Clarence Gilbert have to share the point. Gilbert has to let Rush be the star. Echols has to accept his apprenticeship role on this team. If they all do then they shouldn't have major problems.

-- Andy Katz, ESPN.com

SCOUTING REPORT: One Big 12 coach's take on the Tigers

“

Got to control dribble penetration. They're the best in the Big 12 at attacking seems and penetrate-and-pitch situation. Got to contain the basketball and force everything to the outside. They're a prolific 3-point shooting team. You can't let them come down and not let them get open 3-pointers. Never leave Kareem Rush. Other than Jason Williams he's the best offensive player in college basketball. Clarence Gilbert is a guy you don't want to ever let going. He can take bad shots, but if you let him get going then he can be a nightmare to guard. He plays so much on momentum. They'll be more dangerous this year because their inside game will be better. ”

2001-02 MISSOURI ROSTER
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Key 2000-01 Stats
(5) Travon Bryant	So.	F	6-9/245	PTS: 3.0 | REB: 3.5 | FG%: 48.5
(33) Najeeb Echols	Fr.	G/F	6-7/235	There may not be a more versatile, not to mention talented, freshman in the country
(32) Jeffrey Ferguson	Fr.	F/C	6-10/230	Canadian import, by way of Michigan, has untapped potential and size
(4) Clarence Gilbert	Sr.	G	6-2/194	PTS: 16.5 | AST: 3.5 | 3PT%: 36.8
(35) Michael Griffin	So.	G	6-3/175	Played in just two games during freshman season
(11) Duane John	Fr.	G	6-6/190	Gilbert needs a backup and will John give Tigers another body in two-guard rotation
(50) Arthur Johnson	So.	F/C	6-9/275	PTS: 9.0 | REB: 7.8 | FG%: 51.8
(10) Ryan Kiernan	Jr.	G	6-0/165	Got into just four games last season off the bench
(15) Josh Kroenke	So.	G	6-4/202	Spot-up shooter, but saw limited action as freshman
(00) Uche Okafor	Jr.	C	6-11/245	JUCO transfer will bring size off the bench, but is the only true center on the squad
(23) Rickey Paulding	So.	G/F	6-5/208	PTS: 7.0 | REB: 2.4 | FG%: 42.1
(21) Kareem Rush	Jr.	F	6-6/212	PTS: 21.1 | FG%: 44.2 | 3PT%: 44.8
(2) Wesley Stokes	So.	G	5-10/173	PTS: 6.4 | AST: 2.0 | 3PT%: 38.6
Head Coach: Quin Snyder (38-26, 2 years) Assistant Coaches: Tony Harvey, Lane Odom, Marcus Perez Home Court: Hearnes Center (13,300); Columbia, Mo.

2001-02 MISSOURI SCHEDULE

November 13: Tenn.-Martin (a) 14: Air Force/Yale (b) 20: TBD (c) 21: TBD (d) 24: Xavier (e) 29: Jackson State

December 1: Grambling St. 3: at Saint Louis 6: Southern A&M 15: Iowa 22: Illinois 29: at DePaul

January 2: Coppin State 5: Nebraska 9: at Iowa St. 12: at Kansas St. 16: Texas A&M 19: Colorado 21: at Oklahoma 26: Kansas St. 28: at Kansas

February 3: Virginia 6: Iowa State 9: at Baylor 13: at Nebraska 17: Texas 20: at Texas Tech 23: at Colorado 25: at Oklahoma St.

March 3: Kansas 7: Big 12 Tournament