OXFORD, MISS. • Before Missouri and Ole Miss tipped off Tuesday at The Pavilion, ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale created a stir during the Kentucky-Tennessee game saying Michael Porter Jr. was dunking at Ole Miss during pregame shootaround and could soon return to the Tigers. Porter hasn’t appeared in a game since the opening minutes of MU’s season opener Nov. 10 against Iowa State. Two weeks later he underwent lower back surgery, an injury Mizzou initially said would sideline him for three to four months.
In Oxford, Porter did indeed go through a more intense pregame workout Tuesday with team strength coach Nicodemus Christopher before sitting out during the Tigers’ 75-69 victory over the Rebels.