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December 2017

In a matter of minutes, Mizzou’s November 10 home opener would change the outlook of the season beyond the program’s first sellout crowd in four years. 

The night marked the heavily anticipated debut of Michael Porter Jr., a five-star recruit and a Mid-Missouri raised basketball talent whose freshman season would end before it really ever began.

Porter Jr. scored the team’s second basket of the season and added a pair of rebounds before his first substitution, one that would not allow him to return for the rest of the game and keep thousands wondering when he would take the court next.

“He just said ‘coach my legs aren’t feeling right’, so that was pretty much it,” first-year head coach Cuonzo Martin said after Mizzou’s season-opening 74-59 victory. “I had to talk to doctors, trainers and Mike, but he was in the books, that’s why he was on the floor.”

Eleven days later, Mizzou fans heard the news they feared since opening night. Porter Jr. underwent spinal disc surgery. The procedure will likely sideline the face of the program for the rest of the season with a projected recovery of 3-4 months.

“As much as they wish he was with them, they’ve gotten a little used to him not being with the team,” Chris Gervino, Mizzou basketball radio color commentator, said. “I think they have some closure to the situation as unfortunate as it is, and can go ahead realizing the group of guys they have available for this season.” 

Porter Jr.’s injury creates an immediate opening in the starting lineup, primarily at power forward with Jordan Barnett shifting to his traditional small forward role. 

Kevin Puryear, who led Mizzou in rebounds and minutes per game last year, has recently slid into the vacancy and provided a defensive presence similar to his first two seasons.

Jontay Porter, Michael’s younger brother and the team’s youngest player, could also see an increased role. The 18 year-old reclassified from his senior year of high school for the opportunity to play this collegiate season with Michael.

“I’m sure as you could imagine, any player would be upset that they don’t get to play,” Jontay said when Michael’s status was day-to-day. “But he’s handling it well and he’s rehabbing.”

In his first three games without his brother, Jontay averaged nearly 10 points per game and eight rebounds. His contributions have been fairly steady for a player who usually plays half of the game, but represent only part of the solution while newcomers break out of unexpected habits.

Anticipated starter Blake Harris has worked off the bench in all four games of the team's second-place Advocare Invitational finish, four-star recruit Jeremiah Tilmon had fouled out within 10 minutes twice, and grad transfer Kassisus Robertson converted less than one-third of his field goals. 

Harris, Tilmon and Robertson were all reinforcements who joined the team after Porter Jr.’s commitment in March. While the potential of playing with Porter Jr. may have lured the trio to Mizzou, all three offer size and endurance that will be essential for competing in a top-heavy SEC.

“He’s cheering us on in the locker room,” Robertson said following Mizzou’s victory against Wagner. “He’s watching and supporting us for sure.”

Replacing the star power of an AP preseason All-America team selection is a tough task for any program, let alone in the first month of a new season. In the likelihood that Porter Jr. could become a 2018 NBA draft first-round selection, his absence reflects a twist to Mizzou basketball’s recruiting fortunes.

Considering the Tigers have finished their last three seasons in the SEC cellar, there is no shortage of motivation to turn the program around. From smaller goals like a winning non-conference record to larger ambitions like a NCAA tournament push, the loss of Porter Jr. could unite the team to reach these heights even more.

“Mike’s a talented player, but we’re a good basketball team, and we’re trying to be a good program,” Martin said after Opening Night.

They will do it this year, sans Michael Porter Jr.

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