Big 12 report | NCAA Tournament Report

SportsLine.com Report
June 5, 2000

A glance at 2001

Missouri should keep getting better in the foreseeable future. Jeff Hafer was the only senior among the regular players. The top two scorers are freshman Kareem Rush and sophomore Clarence Gilbert.

The loss of sophomore point guard Keyon Dooling, who averaged a team-high 15.3 points, will hurt the Tigers. Dooling declared for the NBA draft last month.

The biggest question mark, again, will be post play. The Tigers will lean heavily on a pair of freshman, 6-9 widebody Arthur Johnson and 6-8 forward Travon Bryant.

Who'll be back

Missouri will return three starters and all the key reserves. It could be a breakout season for Rush, who had to sit out seven games as a freshman because of an NCAA suspension.

Who's gone

Hafer's leadership will be missed. He was good for 7.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Mark Wampler, a rarely used forward, will also complete his eligibility.

The loss of Dooling will hurt the most, but Snyder is counting on 5-10 freshman Wesley Stokes to fill that void.

Key newcomers

Snyder validated his reputation as a great recruiter by signing four nationally sought recruits in the fall period.

• SG Rickey Paulding (6-5, 190, Fr.): Probably the best player in Detroit's Public School League. He was named a preseason All-American by Street & Smith magazine after averaging 25.6 points and 11.2 rebounds as junior. Chose Mizzou over Michigan State, Miami (Fla.) and Ohio State.
• PF Arthur Johnson (6-9, 235, Fr.): A friend and AAU teammate of Paulding, Johnson starred at Detroit's Pershing High. He averaged 16 points and 13 rebounds as a junior. Also chose Missouri over Michigan State, Miami (Fla.) and Ohio State.
• PG Wesley Stokes (5-10, 160, Fr.): Likely successor to Dooling. Native of Long Beach, Calif., who starred at Poly High School. Chose Mizzou over Southern California, San Diego State, Texas and Massachusetts.
• Travon Bryant (6-8, 235, Fr.): Bryant, a McDonald's All-American from David Starr Jordan High School in Long Beach, Calif., averaged 23 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks last year. Bryant, who is a friend of Stokes, chose Missouri over California and Kansas.