Porter Jr., other freshmen, set high hopes at Missouri

FILE – In this March 4, 2017, file photo, Nathan Hale forward Michael Porter Jr. dribbles downcourt against Garfield in the first half of the Washington state boys 3A high school basketball championship in Tacoma, Wash. Missouri basketball has been mired in Southeastern Conference irrelevance in recent years under former coach Kim Anderson. No more for the resurgent Tigers, who have national-championship hopes following the hiring of coach Cuonzo Martin after last season and the signing of a Kentucky-like group of freshmen _ highlighted by forward Michael Porter Jr. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)