Who could star for MU: 5 thoughts on the Mizzou men's basketball team

Last year at this time, Dennis Gates was in the process of finalizing his first roster at Missouri.

He had the majority of his staff in place and was about a week away from landing Isiaih Mosley from the transfer portal.

Here are five thoughts on the Missouri men's basketball team as the month of May switches to June.

The most important player this offseason is Aidan Shaw

With Mohamed Diarra's departure, DeAndre Gholston's graduation and the potential of Kobe Brown staying in the NBA Draft, Missouri would lose much of its rebounding production and potential from last season.

Brown was the team's best rebounder, but Gholston helped rebound in the midrange and Diarra was a player that improved as the season went on coming off the bench.

This puts the onus on one of MU's returning players in Aidan Shaw.

Gates challenged Shaw last year by asking him to be a better rebounder. Shaw responded to that challenge and showed his potential, but he finished the season still behind Brown, Noah Carter and Diarra at times in the rotation.

This year, he becomes one of the most important players for MU this offseason. That challenge still remains for Shaw, especially if Brown departs through the draft.

Missouri would need a rebounder. Shaw could be that player, especially if he spends this summer training his body and adding muscle in the weight room.

The potential is there, and when Brown missed a January game against Alabama Shaw started in Brown's place. The next step for Shaw is to show he can take over that role full-time if need be.

If Shaw can be the rebounder Gates needs him to be, he would fill a massive role next season.

More: What Jesus Carralero's commitment means for Mizzou basketball

The unsung hero could be Jesus Carralero

Gates must be hearing a broken record at this point.

Missouri needs a big man. The Tigers missed all the available transfer centers and forwards. Who can rebound?

While that's not incorrect, MU still needs a plan when it comes to bigger teams it could face like Ole Miss, MU's bench is bringing in talent. Freshmen Jordan Butler and Trent Pierce stand at 6-foot-11 and 6-foot-10, according to MU athletics.

This need for rebounding and a productive post-player is what makes Campbell transfer Jesus Carralero a potential unsung hero.

The 6-foot-9 forward can score, but he can also pass and rebound. If he can handle the ball carefully and consistently off the bench, Carralero would be the kind of player that would deepen the Tigers' bench. That's something MU could have used against Princeton in the NCAA Tournament.

The biggest question with Carralero is if he can do it at the SEC level. The counterpoint is that Gates took a handful of mid-major players and pieced together a team that went to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The opportunity for Carralero will be there.

Tamar Bates has the potential to star

One of the most interesting aspects of Tamar Bates' arrival in Columbia is the potential he brings.

The Indiana transfer can shoot the ball well, and he brings size to the Tigers' guard rotation at 6-foot-5. Bates' talents were also widely regarded when he was a high school player as he earned a No. 23 overall ranking among high school players.

But, what makes his arrival in Columbia different is what Bates' role could be.

Bates was asked to be a shooter for the Hoosiers. Granted, Bates can shoot the ball well and he showed this by shooting 37 percent from 3-point range last season, but made a name for himself by being a ball-dominant player in high school that thrived by having the ball in his hands.

Giving Bates the opportunity to create the offense instead of narrowing him to a single role could lead to Bates being one of MU's featured players next season. Gates' scheme gives players who are creative on offense every opportunity to thrive.

"From just down the street in Kansas City, Tamar has a winning DNA and is a player that will flourish in our system," Gates said in a release announcing Bates' signing. "He has great length and can really shoot the ball from deep. What makes him special, though, is how much of a vocal leader he is on the court and his strong basketball IQ."

More: How the hard-working and mature Tamar Bates fits Mizzou men's basketball

Replacing Kobe Brown could be impossible, but it's a task MU would need to solve creatively

Kobe Brown hasn't officially departed from Missouri. He most recently participated in the NBA Combine, and his name has been showing up in NBA Mock Drafts.

That's a good sign that Brown will most likely stay in the draft, and he'll have to officially make that decision this coming week.

Should Brown stay in the NBA Draft, it would mean MU has to find a way to fill his shoes. That's much easier said than done considering what Brown did in Gates' first year.

But, with the pieces Gates has added and considering what returns, MU could get creative.

The Tigers have a guard-heavy rotation with Bates, John Tonje, Caleb Grill and Curt Lewis joining the team as transfers. These players figure to enter the rotation as guard or wing players, especially as Nick Honor and Sean East have the point guard rotation handled.

This could allow Gates to play different kinds of lineups. He could really space out the offense with shooters by having Grill and Lewis on the floor at the same time; he could have Bates and Tonje bring size to the perimeter as two 6-foot-5 guards that can drive the ball to the basket; or he could mix and match players however he'd like.

Another piece to consider is if Isiaih Mosley officially returns, too. He would be an offensive piece Gates is already familiar with that could contribute immediately.

Last season, the offense ran through Brown and D'Moi Hodge. This season, it'll most likely look very different. But, that might not be a bad thing.

A predicted starting 5, as of May 29

Point guard: Nick Honor

The incumbent starting point guard, the only player who stands in Honor's way would be Sean East. Honor took care of the ball and was an effective shooter starting at the point.

Shooting guard: Tamar Bates

Bates' ability to be a playmaker that made him a top-rated recruit was never utilized at Indiana. Gates could give him that opportunity at Missouri.

Wing: John Tonje

Much like DeAndre Golston, Tonje brings size and rebounding ability as a guard with the ability to score on multiple levels. If he's going to fill Gholston's shoes, however, you'll need to ask how his half-court shot is.

Forward: Noah Carter

One of the most consistent players in the final month of the season was Carter. He was improving as a rebounder and was hitting his stride as an offensive player.

Forward: Aidan Shaw

If Shaw can make strides as a rebounder, he would fit like a glove in Gates' lineup. He has a whole summer to fill into that role.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: 5 thoughts on the Mizzou men's basketball team