this i is an excellent article about starting lineups and rotation https://247sports.com/college/lsu/article/lsu-basketball-rotation-2024-season-opener-239257670/ there is speculation that ward is redshirting to train and work on his game as he has not earned playing time. this would make sense as he is purely a shooter and needs other skill to play at the next level. again, this is just speculation. coach has been vague on this topic. read the article I linked above, its very informative.
I did go to the game. I learned that my previous impressions were true. perhaps most notable, is dji bailey who really is a statistical anamaly. his shooting percentage is amazing, and his shot is terrible. his shooting motion looks stupid and off kilter. if I recall correctly he made 6 layups and missed on brutal clanker for 3. so he was 6 for 7. this guy drives to the basket with authority and a plan. in fact think he has a plan A and a plan B. a well executed super hi % layup or a beautiful dump off to a teammate for a layup. when he first came I read an article about how he was a unique player, a finisher without peer. and he is. but my goodness the shots that are not from 3 feet are brutal. last year players like reed would drive haphazardly to the hoop and it would almost be impressive, then he would miss the layup. bailey never misses the layup. or last year Trae Hannibal would use his incredible speed and power to drive into the bigs and it was amazing and then he would triple pump a reverse layup that was not close. bailey somehow ends up directly next to the backboard, which he calmly lays the ball against and in without fail every single time. its fascinating. he has the angles figured out or something. very impressive. so dji bailey is one of the most savage and reliable drive and score players in the game, which is amazing, but his pump fakes at the 3 point line shouldnt fool anyone who knows his scouting report. defenders should beg him to shoot the 3. his 3 point motion looks retarded and sideways. cam Carter is a complete player, his scouting report was that he can do everything except stop tossing the ball into the stands for a turnover. he has been good, and he can shoot. between him and the ultradeadly sniper sears they look like they can really drain triples. that's good because bailey and chest are like a couple of shaqs out there from deep. I was shocked that coach started Robert miller. he looks athletic and skilled. he isn't making his deep shots yet, but I think he actually can shoot it. he might be a dangerous inside/outside big. poor man's naz. both the freshman guards givens and V miller look smooth and skilled. the team is deep at guard because mike williams is also solid. it looks like going forward the 3 guards (well maybe bailey is a guard/wing hybrid) carter, sears and bailey will start. this is good as these 3 can handle the ball calmly and move with it. I always feel like the team who has calm experienced guards wins tournament games. all 3 of those guys are seniors with a combined total of like 5 billion games played. if I had to predict a dunk of the year it would be either Damion (the sky spider) Collins or corey chest. both of those guys can really jam the fuck out of it. Collins from the stratosphere, and chest with tomahawk force. Tyrell ward did not move well with the ball or create. he wasnt great at driving to the rack or playing defense. but he was a spectacular 3 point shooter. I think he advanced metrics showed his defense was so poor and he wasn't a particularly good passer so that his plus/mins and advanced metrics were bad. I think coach knew that, told him he had to work to earn minutes, and it was an unhappy conversation. bailey and carter are all-conference level defenders. last year one huge problem was 3 point defense. that should be solved. and collins and R miller are big guys that block shots. I think coach is recruting players emphazing IQ and defense (tari eason types). two way players. yes I know I said Collins is very stupid but he is physical freak with the longest arms in the universe and leaps like the best NBA guys. the rest of the guys he is bringing in seem to be selected to play smart effort defense and see the court well. sounds like a good strategy to me.
jaalen reed still cant finish. he is so big and athletic, just dosent have basketball skills. dji bailey is incredibly reliable. when he starts towards the hoop, you can put the 2 point on the scoreboard. he always finishes. even if he cant get super close he will make a 5 foot bank shot, easy as pie.
