Ok, an award goes to Tigerrag for being the first to actually write a story about LSU hoops, given that today was LSU basketball Media Day for both Coach Caldwell and Johnson. There's reason for optimism for both teams, for slightly different reasons. One program sees a new coach with a new exciting style being placed on a talented, but perhaps underachieving team. One program sees a seemingly embattled coach with new players and hopefully new life to a challenged group of veterans dealing with transition now for several years. For the summary on Trent's bunch go to: TigerRag - Media Day Report: Men’s Basketball For the Ladies see: TigerRag - Media Day Report: Women The best thing to do for diehards though is go to www.lsusports.net and watch the actual conferences. From my standpoint, what you see is a coach Johnson that remains comfortable in his own skin, despite some of the dry demeanor and pressure of two bad seasons. What's clear is though is that this is a new team, with some interesting new pieces. It's also a team that is healthy (unlike last season) and a team where perhaps players are being put in positions they are naturally inclined to play. Stringer at 2. Ludwig at 3. Warren and White at 3/4. Bass and Hickey at 1. More perimeter toughness and defense, with Isaac at 2/3. It's also a team, in a generally "small" SEC, that goes from having little bulk down low, to a team with a lot of bulk down low (two 7 footers and 6'9" 250+ JOB). The tidbit also about LSU football DB Ronald Martin (also an All-State guard at White Castle) perhaps playing some hoops after the football season was also a nice little bit of news. Also impressive is the amount of stuff this staff has covered from both a defensive and offensive coaching perspective so far... There is certainly some cause for optimism. But, as we know, proof is delivered on the court. Let's hope that the LSU fans rally around the sport and the teams. :geauxtige
More pre-season optimism from the team members... TigerBait.com - Deeper roster Men's Basketball - News - LSUsports.net - The Official Web Site of LSU Tigers Athletics
I hope so, too. The AD has been fairly active in trying to get some excitement going among the students to come out, and that's a good start. Ultimately, we need a product on the court that people will want to watch. LSU doesn't have to beat the SEC heavyweights this season, but if the team shows some toughness, stays in games, and occasionally pulls off some upsets, that will get some buzz going among the fans.
I think this is something that can be done. Hopefully, Justin Hamilton's impact will be better than expected. Welcome addition | LSU | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA
Scrimmages have started So, the team had a scrimmage last night and another Trent presser. Johnson Speaks to Media, Holds 6th Man Scrimmage - LSUsports.net - The Official Web Site of LSU Tigers Athletics For folks wondering what additional balance, big men, and a few interesting guard signees can do, start paying attention. The purple team of Hickey, Stringer, Turner, Hamilton and O'Bryant took out the other team led by Bass, Isaac, Ludwig, Warren and White, in a close one, 37-34. Interesting statistic from the purple team? It was a guard dominated scoring effort, with Hickey 13, Stringer 11, and Turner 9. Likely a lot of down low passes out to open shooters. And, interesting to see Stringer at 2, and Hickey scoring from the PG spot. Ludwig led the Gold team with 7, on what was likely a much more balanced scoring output. More pre-season tidbits... Johnson: Tigers picking up pace | Sports | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA To me, it's interesting that there are some comments about conditioning (again, noted in the "Post-Mortem" threads). The physical conditioning of folks like Hamilton and Del Piero after being in the program for a year should not be understated. I'm very much looking forward to looking at the health improvement and body improvement in some of these kids.
Thanks for the info. I'll definitely check out the links later when time permits. I think there is a lot of optimism for the men's team this year. I fully expect them to make the tourney this year.
SEC Media Days From today's SEC basketball media day in Hoover, AL. Quotes from Trent and Ralston: http://secdigitalnetwork.com/Portals/3/SEC Website/basketball/MediaDay2011/LSUM.pdf
"Hickey has impressed Johnson with his ball-handling and passing skills in three scrimmages, compiling 17 assists to only three turnovers." http://www.washingtonpost.com/sport...-sec-cellar/2011/10/28/gIQA1K30PM_story.html# Getting a little excited...I'll be more excited after we roll the tide!
