Changing the culture at Mizzou starts with sealing the border

Mizzou hiring Cuonzo Martin has given the program a buzz that has been missing since the 2009 Elite Eight run.

Martin has credibility and a swagger that instantly makes Mizzou more appealing to elite recruits than the program has been in some time. With that being said, it's time to get to work. The last 4-star recruit or player ranked in Rivals 150 to sign with Mizzou out of high school was Kalen Grimes back in 2004. Everyone else over the last decade dipped out...

Scott Suggs
Alec Burks
Brad Beal
Otto Porter
BJ Young
Ben McLemore
Jimmy Whitt
Juwan Morgan
Jayson Tatum
Tyler Cook
Xavier Sneed

And that’s leaving out guys like OG Anunoby and Landry Shamet - 3-star guys that have developed into really good college players. Jared Ridder, 4-star 2017 Xavier signee, wasn’t even offered by the Tigers. Really, the list reads like a horror story to any Missouri native. The only thing helping us selectively remember this list is the fact that Lorenzo Romar got canned, dropping Michael Porter Jr. - and potentially Jontay Porter - right in Mizzou's lap. Nothing is really changing in the short term with Courtney Ramey heading to Louisville and although Carte'Are Gordon is staying in state, he's still not going to the flagship program. If Martin truly wants to change the culture here in the Show-Me State it'll start by sealing the borders. I don't expect him to get every truly elite kid, but Martin and the Tigers need to get most of them. Flipping Ramey or Gordon will prove a difficult challenge, but there are several uncommitted 2018 and 2019 guys that could help Martin right the ship. Here are a few that should definitely be on his radar:

2019 G Tyem Freeman, Hillcrest

The 6-foot-5 wing is quickly become one of the most sought after players in Missouri’s 2019 class. He lit it up at Hillcrest (19.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists), showing skill to go along with his freakish athleticism. Keep in mind he was just 5-foot-8 entering his freshman year so he’s still growing into his frame.

Every day is a dunk contest for Air Tyem aka @TyemFreeman ✈ (via @Garrett183277) pic.twitter.com/Zrd937Rtc0
— Ozarks Sports Zone (@OzarksOzone) February 8, 2017

2018 G Jericole Hellems & 2018 G Karrington Davis, Chaminade

Both are 6-foot-6ish guys that are just skilled players. Hellums led Chaminade in scoring (21.6 points) and rebounding (6.7 rebounds) and Davis finished second in each (18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds). It took them little time to adjust to life without Jayson Tatum and Tyler Cook, leading the Red Devils back to the Class 5 Final Four. What makes them most appealing is the fact they’re typical Chaminade guys; skilled with high IQ. Hellems shot 47% from the field and 45% from 3, Davis shot nearly 54% from the field and 40% from 3. Hellems was especially big in big games, hitting Altoff for 47, averaging 30 in two games against Champaign Central and going for 31 against SLUH. Indiana is one of several programs to offer Hellems, Davis has been offered by Kansas State, among others. Both guys are trending up.

This was called goaltending, but many thought it was a clean block by @JericoleHellems . You make the call? @CCPBasketball @HoopinMaroons pic.twitter.com/NILQMmZ2Db
— Gateway Sports Venue (@GSV_STL) December 11, 2016

2018 G Monty Johal, Glendale

Some would call this a stretch, I call it filling a need; everyone needs someone that can shoot the basketball. Johal broke Glendale’s scoring record in just three years and should shatter the Springfield Public Schools record currently held by Dorial Green-Beckham. The 6-foot-3 wing averaged 27.6 points this year, scoring in every way possible. His ability to shoot the basketball, coupled with the fact that he’s a gym rat, make him an intriguing fit for a team that has been one of the nation’s worst at scoring.

2019 G Mario McKinney, Vashon

He might be my favorite kid on this list. His cousin, Jimmy, is a Mizzou alum that scored more than 1,100 points in his career. Mario has the makeup to be a special player. The 6-foot-2 point guard has been an explosive scorer off the bench for the two-time Class 4 state champs. Kim Anderson offered McKinney, along with Auburn, Kansas State and Saint Louis.

2019 G/F Isiaih Mosley, Rock Bridge

This is another quickly rising kid. The 6-foot-5 wing hit Kickapoo up for 28 points in the Class 5 quarterfinals with Jared Ridder (Xavier) and Cam Davis (Navy) checking him for most of the game; they struggled to keep him from getting to his spots and finishing. He has the ability to score at all three levels and he’s really just getting comfortable in his game. Playing with Mokan Elite will only help his cause. Tulsa offered him last week, his first D-1 offer. That’ll change this summer. Classmate Dajuan Harris - a 6-foot-2 combo guard - should work his way into high-major offers too.

Some Mosley highlights: https://t.co/KeLwV7DQQj
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) March 22, 2017

2018 G Jordan Lathon, Grandview

Watch him and he’ll remind you of former Grandview standout Alec Burks. Lathon is also a 6-foot-4 wing that loves attacking off the bounce and is a natural scorer. Rivals loves him, ranking him in the top 150. Colorado has already offered, but several Power 5s are in the mix. His recruitment has been slow, but will also take off this summer.

2019 G Marcedus Leech, Poplar Bluff

An ankle injury derailed his sophomore season, but Leech is one of the nation’s best in his class. He’s a long and lanky 6-foot-5 wing that can score from anywhere. His frame needs to develop, but his ability to score in a variety of ways is rare. Mizzou has joined Kansas, Miami, Wichita State and Iowa State as some of the many to already offer Leech. ESPN lists him as a 5-star prospect and has him ranked as the No. 21 player in 2019. This is the kind of kid Mizzou has struggled to get historically.

2018 G Torrence Watson, Whitefield

Buckets. Watson poured in more than 800 points this year, leading Whitefield to a Class 3 runner-up finish. Watson’s 27.9 points are impressive, but his ability to attack the rim and put pressure on opposing defenses is elite (284 FTA in 2016-17). The 6-foot-4 wing had four 40-point games this season and scored at least 20 in all but six games. Texas A&M, Marquette, Iowa State, Creighton and Butler have joined Mizzou in offering Watson.

In my bag now ??? pic.twitter.com/CzUFdwPzoI
— Torrence Watson (@TorrenceWatson) December 25, 2016

2019 F Roman Wilson, Park Hill

You’ll notice everyone on this list is a perimeter player. Missouri doesn’t have many polished bigs coming in the next two classes. That makes Wilson even more of a priority. At 6-foot-9 and growing, the ability to rebound and protect the rim are there. What has been impressive are his developing jumper and skill, especially considering Wilson didn’t pick up basketball until eighth grade. Wichita State, Kansas State and Tulsa have offered. His frame and game will make him a target for several Power 5s this summer.