Thank You guys so much for this thread, I tried to give you all props but couldn't for some again. I am so longing for a good LSU basketball team again. I have been watching highlites lately from the CJ era.
Revenge on Rice? Although you'll be hard pressed to find anything out there on it, b/c of rules about exhibitions/scrimmages against Div I schools prior to season games, the new and improved 2011-12 men's hoops team supposedly beat Rice in Houston over the weekend by 20 points. Could it be that there's something interesting going on here? Rice is, of course, one of those teams/games that really hurt me last year--one of those we should have won, and one of those 4-6 games last year that, if won, could have changed the optics of a struggling program into one that was on the right rebuilding track. 11 days before season tip-off against Nichols State, and another revenge game.
Can't wait to see the new-look Tigers. Hoping for a competitive squad this season. If nothing else we'll at least be a lot deeper and way more talented. Hopefully that translates to wins but either way we should be a lot more entertaining.
While Trent has alluded to the fact that he'll want to see how the kids respond over the next couple of weeks of practice, here's my thoughts projecting this. From reports, it's going to be hard to keep Anthony Hickey out of the starting PG spot, given the fact that he is very quick, and has shown an all-round game that sometimes is lacking with Bass. One other X factor is the ability and match ups created with Stringer actually at 2 as a small SG--and whether Turner slides into 2 if the Tigers have to go "big". Lastly, there's the X factor of Johnny O'Bryant versus the play of Senior big man Storm Warren and how that fits in with what Warren can do playing 3 vs 4. I think given his talent, you'd like to see him along side Hamilton in a "big" big man set, but likely early on, he'll come in off the bench in reserve roles at 4 and 5. I'd say that the starting line up at the beginning of the season may be: Bass Stringer Turner Warren Hamilton which over time may quickly morph to: Hickey Stringer/Turner Warren/Turner O'Bryant Hamilton I am also interested in how John Isaac comes into it... he's going to be hard to keep off the floor, either playing point in spots or coming in for Stringer has a bigger 2--likely a reserve role though. Ludwig and White are going to be valuable reserves given their experience, and I'm interested as well on seeing how Ludwig adjusts to a 3 spot and White adjusts to playing just 4--along side bigger Hamilton/O'Bryant. In any case, unlike last year, even charting out a starting 5 and a second 5 is tough, b/c we actually have some experienced depth--which is a welcomed change. :geaux:
Basketball is a game in which freshmen can have a real immediate impact. Couple that with the fact that Trent is a great coach (not as good recruiting though) and I look for us to contend !!
I can't see Warren playing the 3 for any significant length of time. Maybe in short spurts, but I just don't think he has the perimeter game to start there.
More pre-season hype. It's better for us to be totally under the radar .... right? :hihi: ESPN hoops talking heads cover the SEC... LSU not mentioned, and probably better that way... 2011 SEC Media Day - ESPN Nonconference schedule analysis: SEC - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN As football nears, Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers learn to operate in the shadows -- college basketball - ESPN
Looks like so far, it'll be this, with Hickey starting. He's certainly played his way into the starting unit based upon how he's performed in the scrimmages... TigerBait.com - Developing depth more on the scrimmage, how the team looks, and the players' reactions... Ten Days Until Opener, Johnson Speaks with Media - LSUsports.net - The Official Web Site of LSU Tigers Athletics
