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Missouri should set sights on Mack, Rose

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Arkansas got its guy in Mike Anderson. Missouri mad about it, but is focused on finding a coaching upgrade.

Question is, are the Tigers’ expectations too high?

An early look at Anderson’s potential replacements include guys like Purdue’s Matt Painter and Butler’s Brad Stevens, which I would guess is aiming a bit high. It’s smart to try, but other than offering Painter a pay raise and Stevens a change of location, there’s no reason for either to head to Columba.

Missouri State coach Cuonzo Martin would be a safe hire, but it seems like Missouri wants to explore other options first. Same goes for Wichita State’s Gregg Marshall.

VCU’s Shaka Smart and Richmond’s Chris Mooney are two of the hottest coaching candidates right now, but they’ll be on everybody’s list.

Who’s that leave? I’d focus on two guys: Xavier’s Chris Mack and BYU’s Dave Rose.

Both would be upgrades from Anderson. Mack’s won two conference titles in two seasons and has been to an Elite Eight. BYU has the best overall kenpom.com rating of any team outside the big six conferences for the last three years. Both would be worth close to the $2 million Missouri was reportedly willing to keep Anderson.

But it’s the end if both of them pass. Martin would be a perfectly acceptable – and excellent – backup option.

You also can follow me on Twitter @MikeMillerNBC.