I think the most important piece of the puzzle now is the chance to come in with O'Bryant.

Hickey's thinking the same thing I am...that LSU has a nucleus there that's only missing a piece or two. Most other people are not thinking that though. Their calling for Johnson to go is counterproductive.

I agree with you Steve. Sometimes folks don't often see that little things make a big difference in sports. For folks that have played anything, they realize that sometimes in a team sport like hoops just a few personnel tweaks or players improving and playing better as a team, or one impact player joining the team can make a big difference. I think to be fair to the criticism though, I think Trent has to show something next year--improving players, improving in-game adjustments. I do think he's a good coach who gets a lot out of his players. I just think that injuries and some player inexperience last year led to the snowballing effect of losing some close games, which led to lack of confidence. It's a tough cycle sometimes to break out of.

But, as you say, Hickey is the kind of recruit that ultimately LSU wants and LSU fans should want. Here is an all-state, tourney MVP, with multiple SEC offers. For naysayers that say "Trent can't recruit", I find it interesting when you look at the "offer sheets" of kids he's been recruiting the last couple of years. Looking at a class of Hickey, Isaac and O'Bryant (plus an experienced transfer in Hamilton), you can't tell me that such a class doesn't compare well with those of the prior regime. An all-state KY kid, an all-state LA kid (and top 3-5 LA kid at that), and an all-state MS/McD AA kid. I think folks get frustrated when these kids get on the court and they aren't All-Americans on day one. But, those kids are rare. But, when you add this class on top of a good class before, it breeds a competitive environment. What we learned with Brady's recruiting was that inconsistent recruiting leads to inconsistent results. So, this 2011 class is important, as is an even more important 2012 class.

Not to oversell it, but I think landing a decent point guard in the 2011 class is pretty important as the final piece to the class. I'm a little surprised that South Carolina is still getting pub in Hickey's mind, and it's probably down to LSU and W. Kentucky. I like how Andre Stringer and Jalen Courtney were hosts for Anthony. Andre and Anthony could be PG competitors, but teammates, and very different kinds of PGs. When you think about it, remember that Trent had KC Ross Miller lined up as well last year as the change of direction/pace PG counterpart to Andre. Anthony is probably faster than Miller and a better athlete, but doesn't have as good of a shot (although, it should be noted that Hickey did very well in his all-state 3 point shooting contest too!).

Alot of time between now and May 6th, and that worries me a little bit. But, hopefully Hickey will do what's best for him and join a LSU team that has the potential of going places and get him the big conference exposure he deserves.

Next week can't come soon enough

As the clock ticks towards May 6th, folks continue to try to scramble to read the tea leaves on the recruitment of Mr. Anthony Hickey Jr.

Some more tidbits on the kid...

First, to be clear on who has offered this kid and got on him late. Here's the full list:

Butler, Cincinnati, Texas Tech, Tennessee, South Carolina, West Virginia, LSU, Purdue, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Dayton, TCU, Western Kentucky, Southern Illinois, Evansville, Marshall, Murray State, Lehigh, Lipscomb, Wofford, Florida International, and Wright State.

Second, Butler seems to have turned it's direction elsewhere, getting a verbal with 2011 schollie spot to a forward and then following up that with a commitment from a 2012 PG...

College Basketball Recruiting Schools - ESPN

Man, does Western Kentucky have some guards on it's radar...

College Basketball Recruiting Schools - ESPN

In addition to this, after looking deeper at W. Kentucky, it appears that they also have a little bit of a "hot seat" issue, although it seems that the Coach is a little less sure of his position than Trent does...

"WESTERN KENTUCKY BASKETBALL COACH KEN MCDONALD TELLS THE COURIER JOURNAL SAYS THE FINAL MONTHS OF THIS PAST BASKETBALL SEASON WERE STRESSFUL AND CONFUSING AS RUMORS SWIRLED ABOUT WHETHER HE WOULD RETURN FOR THE 2011-12 SEASON. MCDONALD SAID HE COULD NOT DISCERN FACTS FROM RUMORS AFTER ATHLETIC DIRECTOR ROSS BJORK TOOK OVER FROM FORMER ATHLETIC DIRECTOR WOOD SELIG. MCDONALD SAID ALL HE TRIED TO DO WAS FOCUS ON COACHING ON THE TEAM, WHICH WAS THE ONLY THING HE COULD CONTROL. THE HILLTOPPERS WERE 16-16 THIS PAST SEASON."

1230 AM WHOP - Local Sports | Hopkinsville, Kentucky

Could things be looking positive for the Tigers? :yelwink2::thumb: :geauxtige

Word is AH is taking no more visits and is making his decision public next Tuesday.

Hickey to announce college choice Tuesday | Full-Court Press | 2theadvocate.com — Baton Rouge, LA

Report: Kentucky Mr. Basketball Reconsidering WKU

Don't want to jinx it, so I'm not going to trust what's said by Trent on the tour... You'd think this was the case, but there is likely a very strong push in the end by W. Ky. I'll breathe easier after next Tuesday.

More footage on Hickey. Much longer take on him, and more on his shooting. A little bit of a slow release, but the kid can shoot. Just need to be able to keep teams honest with his scoring. I'm more excited by his speed, ability to penetrate and dish and defend.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm0q4q_Npn0]YouTube - Anthony Hickey 23 part 1[/ame]

"He likes Coach Johnson a lot," Eldridge said. "It's [a Southeastern Conference] school — that got his attention. He's talked about LSU more than he has the other schools."
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Keeping fingers crossed!

Yes, indeed. "Noise" here and there seems to imply a positive result for the Tigers, but I'm still nervous. Some talk is that AH already privately committed, but wanted to announce publicly next week. In any case, I'll be glad when Tuesday comes. The other real player seems to be W. Ky. Got avoid the home town team clouding the situation.

Nevertheless, I think this is a kid that is a nice pick up in the spring, in a position of need. Hopefully we can start worrying just about the 2012 class...

" has dropped Western Kentucky from consideration according to his coach Kerry Stovall. He had also been listing LSU and South Carolina."

Hickey, Kates to make decisions | Jody Demling - Recruiting

I'm ready to say he's a lock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kerry Stovall?....You kidding me ??...Ya think he's Jerry Stovall's younger brother?

(After all, K comes right after J in the alphabet song I learned in kindergarten.)

Anyway, I'll say it...Welcome aboard...It's hard to keep a secret these days.