Why Cuonzo Martin believes his second summer at Mizzou is different from his first

Missouri basketball players just reconvened on MU’s campus for summer workouts, so it is too early for new guys to stand out to veterans or become favorites of the coaching staff. But guards Mark Smith and Javon Pickett, a transfer from Illinois and a freshman, respectively, seem to understand the basics of playing for coach Cuonzo Martin.

Rising senior forward Kevin Puryear said the two men arrived on campus a week early to begin practicing, which means they displayed what their coach cares most about: extra effort.

“Coach Martin, when you think about it, he’s a pretty simple guy to play for,” Puryear said. “As long as you have a good attitude, as long as you play as hard as you can possibly…