From two Elite Eight squads to five 20-loss seasons, the Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team has had its share of highs and lows over the past 25 years. Even during some of the lean times, though, some stellar hoops players made their way to Columbia.
In anticipation of Mizzou basketball season, which officially tips off on Nov. 3 against Howard (there is an exhibition game Oct. 24 against Kansas State), BetMissouri decided to honor some of the best Tigers’ hoopsters from recent years by creating an all-quarter century team.
Position | Player | Years With Team (Since 2000) |
Guard | Phil Pressey | 2010-2013 |
Guard | Marcus Denmon | 2008-2012 |
Forward | Kareem Rush | 2000-2002 |
Forward | DeMarre Carroll | 2007-2009 |
Center | Arthur Johnson | 2000-2004 |
This is from BetMissouri.com, your source for Missouri sports betting coverage as the Dec. 1 launch of legal sportsbook in the state draws closer.
With Marcus Denmon (1,775 points) and Arthur Johnson (1,759), this team features the program’s fifth- and sixth-best scorers since 1963. Phil Pressey, who led the Big 12 in assists in 2011-12 (223) and the SEC (240) the following season, is a point guard who can get them the ball. Johnson also owns the school record for career rebounds (1,083) and blocks (245).
DeMarre Carroll, who played his final two college seasons with the Tigers, averaged nearly 15 points a game and shot 57% from the field for Missouri. He and Denmon led a fast-paced attack that was fifth nationally in scoring (81.5 ppg) during the 2008-09 campaign, which ended in the Elite Eight.
Kareem Rush led the Big 12 in scoring (21.1 ppg) in 2000-01, and the following season, he finished second (19.8). Along with Johnson, Clarence Gilbert and Rickey Paulding, the 6-foot-6 forward led a 12th-seeded team to the school’s third-ever regional final in 2002.
Missouri Tigers betting lines will be in place in the Show-Me State for the bulk of this basketball season, starting in December.
Position | Player | Years With Team (Since 2000) |
Guard | Dru Smith | 2019-2021 |
Guard | Kim English | 2008-2012 |
Forward | Rickey Paulding | 2000-2004 |
Forward | Kobe Brown | 2019-2023 |
Center | Ricardo Ratliffe | 2010-2012 |
Paulding played four seasons for Mizzou. He’s 10th all-time in scoring for the Tigers (1,673 points), earned two Big 12 second-team selections and was a preseason All-American in 2003-04.
Dru Smith was a quick guard who transferred from Evansville for his final two seasons. He led the SEC in steals in both campaigns (each at 2.1 per game, making him the school’s all-time spg leader). He earned All-SEC in 2020-21 when he scored 14.3 ppg.
Kim English played four seasons for the Tigers, who made the NCAA Tournament in each of them. He ranks fourth all-time at Missouri in both 3-pointers made (239) and tried (606). He shot 45.9% from beyond the arc as a senior in 2011-12 and his 65.8% true shooting percentage (a scoring efficiency metric that accounts for all field goals and free throws) was 12th best in the nation.
Kobe Brown grew into an effective shooter during his four years in Columbia, as his 62.5% effective shooting percentage as a senior led the SEC in 2022-23. In that season, he also ranked in the top 20 in the conference in rebounding (6.4 rpg, 10th), steals (1.5 spg, 14th) and assists (86, 20th).
Ricardo Ratliffe enjoyed two strong seasons with Mizzou after transferring in from junior college. In 2011-12, his senior year, he led the NCAA in field-goal shooting, making 69.3% of his shots. His 7.5 boards per game average also ranked fourth in the Big 12 that season.
Missouri sportsbook apps are coming to Missouri starting Dec. 1. Be sure to visit BetMissouri for the latest news regarding the pending launch and check out our reviews of the Missouri licensed sportsbooks.
USA Today photo by Denny Medley
Author
Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.
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