Missouri's Cuonzo Martin was a success long before he held the title of head coach and long before the perfect storm of events that brought the "Porter Package: to the hardwood floor of Mizzou Arena in Columbia, MO. He's won games at the helm of the 4 schools that have hired him to lead their programs at a .606 clip. He's averaged 20.7 wins a season in his 9 years as a head coach, a run that has been highlighted by 7 postseason appearances in the last 8 years. His 2017-18 Tiger squad went 20-13, a win total that represented one of the largest turnarounds in college basketball history after resuscitating a moribund program that totaled only 8 wins the prior year.
Missouri went 10-8 in the vastly improved and deeply talented SEC, earning an invitation to the NCAA Tournament after a 5-year absence. Martin brought his impeccable credentials of being a tireless worker and relentless recruiter to the state's most visible campus, one whose previous coaching regimes dating back to the 2004 signing of Hazelwood Central's Kalen Grimes, had failed to land a commitment from not only some of the best high school players in-state but some of those very same players who were nationally ranked. The list of elite, program-changing talent over that span was endless.
The arrival of Michael Porter, Jr., Jontay Porter and Jeremiah Tilmon brought an end to the 14-year drought and now, the hope exists that Coach Martin's reputation will precede him in his efforts to make Missouri a "destination" with the opportunity to consistently win at the highest level and in the process, build a powerhouse that is among the nation's premier programs annually. Martin can flat out coach and adding his knowledge of the game to his recruiting prowess makes him a perfect fit to lead his basketball program to unprecedented heights, specifically Final Fours and national championships.
Martin has lost Porter, Jr., projected to be a top-10 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. He's also certain to lose Jontay as well. He, too, is expected to go in the first round. Tankathon's Mock Draft has the younger Porter going to either the San Antonio Spurs as the 18th pick or the Minnesota Timberwolves at 20. NBAdraft,net projects him as the 25th pick by the Los Angeles Lakers, Bleacher Report to the Bulls at 20, while only CBSSports.net to date doesn't list him as a first-round pick.Jaylen Brown left for the greener pastures of the NBA when Martin coached at Cal so why should Missouri be any different? Such a history bodes well for the Tigers and should be welcomed by a fan base that's been starved for success. The 19th head coach to lead the tradition-rich Tigers will make them a daunting challenge to play again and he'll do so by selling prospective recruits more than basketball.
Cuonzo Martin is a salesman whose sales pitch has more to do with building relationships, family values and trust; giving back to the community through service; accountability in the classroom; responsibility, dependability and maturity in decision making in life away from the court. He stresses determination, what it means to fight, to persevere, what's required to become a man along with the wisdom to put one's very existence into the proper perspective after surviving a bought with cancer. Just ask former Edwardsville, IL High star guard Mark Smith whom Martin hotly pursued in 2017. The Illinois transfer and former Mr. Basketball of Illinois committed to play for Martin recently saying, "Last time, I chose my state school but this time, I'm back to Mizzou. I wasn't going to make another mistake in not play for him" the 6'4, 215-pound combo guard stated. "He has a lot of faith in me."
Rest assured, Cuonzo Martin and his staff were well prepared for the departure of the Porter Brothers. Expect Porter, Sr. to follow suit with both of his sons moving on to play professionally. Pending scholarship offers have been in place for some time to prospects and Smith's signing could be instrumental in landing Webster Groves' Courtney Ramey, the Missouri Class 5A Player of the Year as well as the top unsigned point guard in the 2018 class and EJ Liddell, Belleville West's 6'7", 220 pound power forward who led his school to their first state championship ever. The 2018 Mr. Basketball of Illinois became only the second junior to win the award.
Jabari Parker won the prestigious honor in 2012. Both top-priority targets are friends of Smith's so their relationship may aid Martin's efforts. Adding 2018 6'5" wing Torrence Watson of Whitfield, the St. Louis area's leading scorer and Class 3A Player of the Year in addition to former Belleville East star Javon Pickett, a rugged 6'4" low post banger, to the list of bi-state products who signed on to become Tigers in November gives Coach Martin a chance to get a strong hold on Missouri's ability to successfully land St. Louis' and the Metro East's best,
It will be a coup and good omen for Cuonzo (bad for the Illini's Brad Underwood and assistants) if the 6'3" Ramey inks a letter of intent to play for the Tigers, signifying that Martin has firmly established himself as the guy to beat for local recruits - a fete that former legendary coach Norm Stewart apparently had no interest in achieving. Ramey's choice from a list of 4 finalists that includes Louisville, Texas and Oklahoma State, is expected to be announced very soon. Martin may not seal the borders, but he'll definitely get his fair share because Missouri's Cuonzo Martin is a relentless, feverish salesman who sells much more than basketball, so much more!
