The Missouri basketball team had their first practice this morning at the Paige Sports Arena. NCAA Division I teams accross could begin practice starting at 12:01 Saturday morning. Head coach Quin Snyder welcomes five newcomers into the fold for 2004-2005. Freshmen Jason Horton (Dallas), Marshall Brown (Austin, Texas), Glen Dandridge (Goochland, Virginia), and Kalen Grimes (St. Louis) donned the Tiger practice gear today. Marcus Watkins, who is the son of new assistant Melvin Watkins, also joined the team—he’s a junior. The Tiger basketball team enters the season with less national hype and with the investigation into the program all but past them. The final word from the NCAA is expected any day. Missouri lost four seniors from a team that finished 15-14 last season, falling to Michigan in the first round of the NIT. The 2004-2005 campaign will begin on Monday, November 15 at home against Brown in the Guardian’s Classic. The first-ever game in the $75-million Paige Sports Arena will be the Black and Gold game on October 23. Mizzou will host Central Missorui State in an exhibition game on November 4.