The Missouri men's basketball season tips off Friday night. Sort of. The Tigers will host their one and only exhibition game at 7 p.m. against Central Missouri at Mizzou Arena, the final public prelude before next Wednesday's regular-season opener against Incarnate Word.

As part of a lengthy interview to preview his third season at Mizzou, Tigers coach Cuonzo Martin recently played a word association game to describe his 2019-20 roster.

I asked Martin for one word or phrase to define each of his 13 players and their roles for the upcoming season. Here's his scouting report on his mix of veterans and newcomers:

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On sophomore point guard Xavier Pinson: "A facilitator.