Every Tuesday, PowerMizzou.com publisher Gabe DeArmond answers questions from Tiger fans in the mailbag. This format allows for a more expansive answer than a message board post. Keep your eye out each week to submit your question for the mailbag or send them to powermizzou@gmail.com. On to this week's inquiries.
ALSO SEE: LARRY ROUNTREE INTERVIEW | COACH'S CORNER: ELIJAH GARDINER
TIGERS FLIP BIG OL | FLORIDA RB COMMITS | WEEKEND RECRUITING RECAP
jordanearl asks: is there anything to substantiate the idea that there is players having issues with playing time? between Thomas and Frazier both making comments about it, there seems to be more then just smoke
GD: Other than a tweet or two? Not really. But look, every player wants to play more and every player probably thinks he should play more. This isn't breaking news. Thomas' comment isn't from a guy on the team. Who knows what the impetus of that was? Frazier tweeted something and people are running with it. I don't know what he was insinuating and neither does anybody concerned about it. Ideally, if there are complaints, they stay internal, but I don't think it's anything worth spending ten seconds thinking about. Players all think they should play more and coaches get to decide who plays.
ajk5ea asks: What do you think the biggest mistake made by Missouri basketball since Norm retired?
GD: I think not hiring Bill Self has to be at the top of the list. He's undoubtedly one of the top handful of coaches in college basketball. If Missouri hires him to replace Norm, who knows where the program goes? I don't think there's any chance he's still the coach here (he's probably at Kentucky or in the NBA), but I think it would have changed the direction of the program and everything that happened in the following years.
Christianmizzouguy asks: With our OCs history of gearing the offense to what he has do you expect a more run based scheme next year with Crockett's breakout and the line having another years experience or do we wait till we get a dual threat QB after Lock leaves? Also is there anyone you see to fill the jumbo role Augusta had last season?
GD: Missouri had 500 rushing attempts and 448 passing attempts. Accounting for sacks and scrambles, it was probably almost exactly a 50-50 split so I think the offense was a lot closer to balanced than most people perceive. In the last four games, Mizzou ran the ball 53.9% of the time (186 rushes, 159 passes). That's when Crockett really emerged as a star. I think you'll see something like a 55-45 balance. If you get any higher than about 58% one way or the other, you become very predictable. It sounds real nice to say "just line up and run it for five yards a carry until they stop it," but the fact is that most teams aren't good enough to just line up and let the opponent know, "here's what's coming, good luck stopping it." Will the run it a little more? Probably. But not a ton. Especially if Drew Lock takes a similar step forward next year as he did this year.
mexicojoe asks: The year Mizzou basketball gets an invite to the big dance?Chiefs final regular season record?The first to a 10+ win season, Odom or Lovie Smith?Most assume Charles Harris gets drafted early. Who is the second Mizzou Tiger chosen in the 2017 nfl draft?
GD: Mizzou is back in the tournament in 2019-2020 (maybe one year sooner)
The Chiefs end the season 12-4 (they'll either lose to Tennessee or San Diego)
I'm not sure either will win ten games, but I'd bet on Odom doing it first
I'm not sold Missouri has another guy drafted this year. I don't think Aarion Penton is big enough. I can't see Michael Scherer getting drafted. People say Josh Augusta, but I am not positive on that. If I have to guess, I'd say Sean Culkin. He and Augusta go off the board some time on day three.
Biker Bob asks: Out of these options which is most likely for the next Basketball Coach, hypothetically only of course. 1. Proven big name winner 2. Older good not great, some success but unexciting hire. 3. Younger Power 5 coach. 4. Younger next hot thing not at a Power 5 school.
GD: Let me start with my normal disclaimer: I'm not pushing Kim Anderson out the door or advocating that he be fired, but if you're ignoring the fact it's a possibility I simply think you're refusing to accept reality.
That said, I'd say number four is the most likely. I think you go young and look for the guy that you believe is going to be really good. I think too often people think you have to get the big name or the splashy hire. You don't. Just find the right guy you think can get it done here.
After that, in order, I'd go with an established coach, but not one that necessarily fires up the fans, then a younger Power Five coach (honestly don't have anybody in mind here) and then a proven big name winner. I think you need to disavow yourself of the thought Missouri can hire a guy in the last category like a Marshall, Mack or Miller. I just don't see that happening. That's not saying it's a terrible job. I think Missouri can aim higher than a lot of people do. But I think you have to be based in reality at the same time.
Keith Ramsey Pig Brown asks: Is there any chance Mizzou rethinks its retired jersey policy? I mean, it seems beyond cruel to consider "unretiring" a jersey, but it also seems beyond ridiculous that Brock Olivio has a retired number at Faurot when Brad Smith, Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin, etc. do not.
GD: I doubt it. Missouri retires way too many jerseys. They have about as many numbers retired as anyone in the country and they don't have the history that suggests that should be the case. I'd like to see something that says you can be on the ring of honor (or whatever they call the names in the rafters or on the wall) but not have the jersey retired. And the first guys who should be considered for that are Brad Smith, Chase Daniel, Justin Smith and Anthony Peeler.
SpikesDown6 asks: In your opinion, a yes or no will suffice (questions are below)
GD: Is a hot dog a sandwich? No, but I still really like them.
Do you believe we actually landed on the moon? Yes
Is Stevie Wonder really blind? Is this something that is in doubt?
Should DNA be extracted from the dinosaur tail recently discovered? I have no idea what you are talking about.
GowerTiger asks: When he was first hired, Heupel's offense was seen to be more of an offense fit for a Dual Threat QB vs a pro-style QB. However, w/ Lock being a Pro-Style, and Wilson being Heupel's first QB commit, is this wrong? Or was Wilson offered to get Crockett?
GD: Wilson wasn't offered to get Crockett. They like him and I fully expect him to be the backup QB next year. As far as the broader question, in college, I personally think ANY offense is better with a dual threat QB. But it doesn't have to be a guy that can run for 100 yards a game. Just be mobile enough to be a threat. Get yourself out of trouble and run for a first down now and again. I think Lock is mobile enough to do that. I haven't seen enough of Micah Wilson to tell you if he is or not, but I assume he is. I think you fit your offense to what you have. Don't call a ton of options and QB draws with a guy like Drew Lock, don't ask a run first guy to drop back and throw 50 passes from the pocket.
Abefor12 asks: Regarding hiring a new basketball coach, you've referenced the low base salary as a Board of Curators issue rather than an AD issue.First, does it seem to be an issue?Any reason to believe that will change?
GD: I've been told by people closer to the process than I am that Missouri's salary structure (offering a very low base salary with a number of other things like apparel and TV contracts, incentives, etc) to boost the salary up to a competitive range is an issue. I have no idea if it's true, but I've been told it is by people who should know, so I'll assume it is. Will it change? Absolutely no idea.
DLLWC2 asks: We have all talked about recruiting expectations and the fact that it is unrealistic to think we can consistently recruit at a Top-10 level. However, over the course of a single recruiting class, do you feel like it is more probable for it to happen for Mizzou in football or basketball? Hell, even WKU can apparently get a top 10-15 class in basketball so it shouldn't completely be unrealistic.
GD: I don't think it's unrealistic for Mizzou basketball to land top ten classes. Not every year, but sometimes. There's a lot more parity in college basketball when it comes to recruiting. You land two top 50 players in a given year and you're probably in the top 10-15. There just aren't as many kids. It's much easier to have a top ten class when everybody is signing five guys than when everybody is signing 25.
mglassma asks: Over/under (questions below)
GD:
Jordan Barnett Scores 16 points in his first game--Under
Marcel Frazier records 7.5 sacks next season--Over
True freshman shedding the shirt next season 6.5--Members of the recruiting class over, true freshmen under
Walk on kickers added to the 2017 roster: 1.5--Over
Recent commitment the fans should be most excited about is who? I don't know, man. That's really up to every individual. I'll go with Terry Petry, though, because I think he's at a position where he has the chance to make the most immediate impact.
In your opinion, name the Most underrated/ under the radar recruit in Mizzou's current 2017 class? Elijah Gardiner
GoTigersCrew asks: What are the advantages of a player signing an LOI? If they just left it at a verbal commit and there was a coaching change, then the requirement of a release would not be needed, correct?
GD: The advantage is that it locks the school in to taking you and giving you the scholarship money for the first year. For an elite level guy (top 100 type player), honestly, I wouldn't sign one for the exact reasons you indicate. Most kids that are that good are going to have options to go wherever they want and no coach is going to tell them they lost their spot. But for the vast majority of guys, if they tell a coach they aren't signing, the coach is going to say "That's your prerogative, but I've got to field a team and I'm going to keep recruiting and if we get to August and you don't have a spot, that's on you." You have to decide if you're willing to take that risk. For most players, it's not worth it because a school can probably find a guy that is as good or close to as good. But for elite level guys, there's no advantage whatsoever.
tegr53 asks: Of the commits so far, which stand out the most to you right now and why?
GD: Again, I'm not really a talent scout and try to shy away from predicting success or failure for high school kids. There are just so many intangibles like work ethic, how they'll react to being on their own, etc, that we don't know (and neither do the coaches most of the time). It's why five-stars can flame out and two-stars can become all-pros. I tend to look at the guys that are at positions where I think they have the best chance to play early, so I'll go with Petry, Rashad Brandon, Yasir Durant and any other defensive tackle they get as the standouts.
bsnc77a1 asks: Would it be accurate in stating that the current staff seems to be targeting more players that have already committed? Is it unusual or expected for someone like Brick Haley to come in this late in the game and have a couple guys that could be potential commits? Would you consider buying a Charles Harris jersey if he went to the Chiefs?
GD: It does seem like the staff is staying on more guys that are committed to other schools. But every year I say that we have more and more information on the process due to social media. So it's possible that we just KNOW about more guys like that than we have in previous years.
As far as Haley, it's not unusual, but the thing is, Texas only had seven commitments when Charlie Strong got fired, so I'd be surprised if he has guys in his back pocket. What he might have is a couple of guys who he says "We looked at this kid and we weren't going to offer him at Texas, but I think he's a really good player we should go after." That's probably more likely.
I don't buy jerseys. I've owned three in my entire life. The first was a Keith Jackson Oklahoma jersey when I was 12. The second was a Jackie Robinson jersey I bought in Cooperstown that now belongs to my son. The third was an Eddie George Houston Oilers jersey that my wife used as a nightshirt far more often than I actually wore it. My rule is that once you pay your own bills, you're too old to walk around wearing jerseys.
the mighty yehti asks: Do you think there are some players who recently visited Mizzou that are being told there isn't space for them based on the latest commitments? If so, any idea who they may be?
GD: I think they'd still take just about anybody that visited recently (the last month or so). But I'm sure there are plenty of guys who had offers earlier in the year who would be told now that there is no room if they tried to commit. You only get 56 official visits in a year. If you bring a guy on an official, you generally want him. There are maybe 3-5 guys a year that will have to come on a visit to earn an offer and don't end up getting one. That's probably the max.
ThadCastle7 asks: Out of the current commits or kids that redshirted this year, who do you think has the best chance to make the biggest impact next year? (Ex: Crockett, D. Mason or even J. Johnson this year)
GD: First off, excellent username. Very funny, mindless show. I've mentioned some of the guys above that I think could contribute as far as commitments. I'd add Larry Rountree to that list because I think he has a skillset Missouri lacks at running back (true power back). Of the redshirts, I'd go with Albert Okwuegbunam and/or Brendan Scales, Tre Williams and Trystan Castillo.
mizzouforlife asks: Given Jim Sterk's hiring record at previous stops, would his 1st call to potentially replace Kim Anderson be to Tony Bennett?
GD: Assuming he has an unlimited minutes plan I suppose he could call, but it would be a waste of time.
tigerten asks: Your best guess. Projected start date for south end zone work to start.
GD: November 12, 2017, the day after the last home game next year.
rtknick asks: Right now, we expect Durant, Anderson, and Brandon to enroll in January, correct? Anyone else? They enroll in January, they can be counted toward the previous class, right?When does class start in January? I ask, thinking about someone like Palmore who is expected to visit January 28... Probably not an early enrollee candidate, but just curious about dates/timelines/etc.
GD: I think there could be one or two more. There's been some mention of Pompey Coleman and Isaiah Miller possibly being early guys. Class starts on January 17th. That means the add/drop date is probably some time that next week so you have to be on campus and in class certainly before National Signing Day.
racerx401 asks: Do you have any feeling or insight about how the staff is feeling about this class? And how many early enrollee's do we expect? If it's 4 would they(or could they) really add 29 this year?
GD: The staff likes the class so far and feels good about chances to add some pieces in the final month. That said, every staff likes every class it's ever signed. On the early enrollees, I expect it to be three to five. So, yes, they could have a class of 28 to 30 if that number is accurate.
mutigerscott asks: What was your favorite Mizzou Basketball season and why?
GD: Favorite one ever was 1993-94 because that was awesome. I was a senior in high school when Mizzou went unbeaten in the Big Eight and made it to the Elite Eight. Favorite one I have covered is 2008-09 because that was a really good team that was fun to watch and also had a lot of guys I just genuinely enjoyed covering. DeMarre Carroll, Leo Lyons, Matt Lawrence, JT Tiller and Zaire Taylor were just really fun guys to cover. It was a very likable team. It was also the first time since 1994 that Missouri had had a really good regular season and a good postseason run in the same year.
MoDude 21 asks: Previous conversations on this board have speculated that the number of transfers could be in the double digits this year. Questions are below.
GD: 1. Is there a typical "off season" window for players announcing their intentions to transfer? (before NSD, before Spring, before Fall Camp)? Some will transfer after the semester before next semester begins. Others will do so after spring football and some will do so after next semester ends. It comes in waves.
2. Are you surprised that Zanders is the only announced transfer so far? Not really. Classes haven't ended yet. Also remember that Keyon Dilosa is gone so, while technically not a transfer, same result.
3. Have you heard any other names that are candidates to transfer? Edit: I realize specific names are taboo so just share if you're hearing rumblings of additional transfers. Yes
4. Guess as to the total number of transfers based on what you're hearing? As I've said all along, ten to 15
jclowe asks: Over the years, college basketball has become less interesting to me for reasons other than Missouri's basketball demise. The book you recommended, Play Their Hearts Out, exposed some of the reasons I'm not as big on college basketball as I used to be. How dirty do you think basketball recruiting is? Do you think private schools have a significant advantage in covering up dirty recruiting practices? Do you think members of the media are ever complicit in allowing certain stories to slide that allow programs to keep an athlete's transgressions out of the public eye?
GD: I think there is plenty of cheating in college basketball recruiting (probably football too). I think you can win without being flat out dirty, but I don't think you can win without being willing to push the envelope and operate in some gray areas.
I don't think there's any doubt private schools have an edge. Quin Snyder got in trouble for some things at Missouri that he flat out said he didn't know they couldn't do because they'd done them at Duke (namely buying plane tickets for players or their family members if memory serves). A private school isn't subject to the Sunshine Law, so the media isn't able to get some information that it can get covering a public school.
As far as media being complicit, I'd love to tell you no way, but I'm sure it happens. I hope it doesn't happen a ton and I hope it never happens if the transgressions are serious. Also, I think it's important to draw a distinction between two things: There is a difference between hearing rumors that you can't substantiate to a level that will allow you to publish the information versus having a story and simply choosing not to run it.
