Where does Missouri basketball stand heading into Tuesday’s season opener?

Cuonzo Martin’s second season as Missouri’s basketball coach is going to start a lot like his first — without a Porter brother leading the way.

Martin met with reporters for the first time since he lost star sophomore Jontay Porter to a torn ACL and MCL last Sunday and said it’s not the exact same situation that he dealt with a year ago. Missouri opens the season on Tuesday against Central Arkansas at 7 p.m. in Mizzou Arena.

“The part with Mike, there were so many things,” Martin said. “The fan fest surrounding him, the unknowns, the surgery wasn’t a season-ending surgery. In this case, he’s out for the season. You’re not sitting there asking when he’s coming back.”

When Martin lost Porter Jr. last season to back surgery, he had to completely adjust the offense, because most of it was going to run through the nation’s top recruit. Martin said Missouri isn’t changing its offense despite the younger Porter’s injury.

Martin said his rotation won’t go past nine players and expects it to be a team effort to replace the scoring and passing that Porter brought.

“It changes everybody’s role,” freshman Torrence Watson said. “Everybody has to step it up with us missing such a big piece.”

When Michael Porter Jr. went down last season, Missouri had seniors Kassius Robertson and Jordan Barnett step up to lead the offense. Senior Kevin Puryear said it will likely be a similar situation this season, where Missouri’s leading scorer is a bit of a surprise.

Martin was optimistic about redshirt sophomore Mitchell Smith, who “has been impressive” in the Tigers’ two preseason scrimmages. Smith missed last season to rehab a torn ACL and put on 20 pounds of muscle and improved his shooting in the process. Martin compared him to retired senior Cullen VanLeer for his ability to always be in the right spot.

Missouri also expects to lean on Illinois transfer Mark Smith, who was granted immediate eligibility Friday. He gives the team depth at the point guard spot, which only had senior Jordan Geist and freshman Xavier Pinson before Friday.

“He’s a guy that can make shots,” Martin said of Mark Smith. “He’s done a good job shooting the ball. He’s a guy that can handle the ball. He’s a physical driver. He has a lot of tools to help our team.”

Sophomore Jeremiah Tilmon, a former Illinois signee, was very happy about Mark Smith’s news, because it means he won’t be the only player Illini fans boo during the Braggin’ Rights Game in December.

Tigers freshman Javon Pickett also signed with Illinois out of high school before coach John Groce was fired. Mark Smith will be the first player to suit up for both programs, according to Mizzou athletics historian Tom Orf.

“He had it rough last year,” Mark Smith said of Tilmon. “I’ll be expecting the same treatment.”

Martin said he’s currently unsure of a starting five going into Tuesday’s game, but feels good about the team chemistry.

Pickett, Smith and Watson have all been getting up around 5 a.m. to get into the gym for 6 a.m. workouts before class. Martin said it’s been refreshing to have players with work ethics like that.

“I think we’re ready to roll,” Martin said.

• Sophomore K.J. Santos is still sidelined because of a fractured left foot and Martin said his status is week-to-week. Santos is able to shoot but can’t move laterally.
• Martin said it’s possible that he redshirts Blue Valley Northwest graduate Parker Braun and freshman wing Christian Guess with the rotation not going past 10. Guess joined the roster in September as a late addition and has had to catch up.
• There is no update on Evansville transfer Dru Smith’s situation. Martin said Missouri hasn’t filed paperwork seeking his immediate eligibility. Smith’s initial waiver to play immediately was denied by Evansville and Missouri is appealing. Evansville claimed that Smith played a role in hiring coach Walter McCarty and then left to pass up other opportunities. Martin didn’t get into specifics.

Alex Schiffer

Alex Schiffer covers University of Missouri athletics for The Star.