LSU One of Eight Teams Picked to win NCAA Tourney

CNNSI - Grant Wahl
Magic Eight

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/grant_wahl/01/19/mailbag.wahl/index.html

 

OK. This is getting out of hand. We've got a nice team, but the lack of a point guard and zone busting shooters makes us a Sweet 16 team with the right draw.

 

Garrett Temple wants to be both of those things. He showed he could do it last night. Some of those turnovers drove me crazy though.

 

I've said before that, by his Junior year, Temple will be a player. He is showing improvement...and confidence...with every game.

 

Stop bitching about the coach you naysayer!!!!:cuss:

 

These are the things of which a Tourney run are made. It's more than just the seeding, the region and the draw---it's someone evolving his game from December to March in a way that makes a former weakness into a strength.

Can Garrett "grow" enough to, come March, hold his own against the best?

Most Tourney winners are experienced and have outstanding backcourts; LSU is 0 for 2 in these categories.

I always hope for the best, but...that's why they play the games, eh?

 

I think that is going a little too far, but time will tell.

 

ESPN has their Power 16 rankings. At the bottom of the list it says "Others receiving votes: UCLA, Xavier, LSU, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois". At this point, I believe that is more appropriate for this team. Sure, there is a lot of potential for a great season but calling them a title contender at this point is a bit of a reach.

 

I assume you're kidding, but just in case...my post implied nothing about coaching, or the lack thereof, keeping LSU out of the Elite 8. I'm simply being a realist.

There are those, however, who would see this SI prediction as "etched in stone" and would blame Brady should they fall short.

 

We will win the SEC... I really believe that... I think we matchup well with UF, and can beat them...

But I just see us too inconsistent to put together the 6 game winning streak you need in the NCAA tourny...