Tweety spotlight on in USATODAY front page | Page 2 | TigerFan.com

pheroy · Feb 16, 2006

Nice comments, TGer'nLHornLand. You have a good point about the fact that the limited numbers in basketball (even when viewed as a ratio hoops has less ships to give than football) meaning there is a very thin margin for recruiting at a position, at least in a specific year. However, I do recall reading interviews with Carter early in his recruiting that never seemed to indicate LSU showed any serious interest in him. Now, once he committed that does change things. Given Augustin's early leanings it just doesn't make sense to not have at least been kept in contact with Carter, but I will certainly stipulate that very few and probably nobody here know much detail about LSU's relationship with him.

Do you know anything about Leonard Washington? He seems to be generating some buzz and, once again, LSU is apparently behind in recruiting on him -- Texas and Oklahoma lead. Since he's not from within 30 miles of BR, that seems to be par for the course.

LsuCraig · Feb 16, 2006

TGer'nLHornLand said:

Good article. Thanks for posting.

For the record, we should dissect this a little. I'll be the first to say that I'm disappointed LSU lost out on BOTH of the best PGs in the state this year, and would have been happy to land either. But, I've been following this recruiting since before last summer, and in their junior years, DJ and Demond both listed interest in LSU (I want to say that Demond earlier on had shy-ed away from LSU). LSU probably DID try to recruit both players, but you always get into a little bit of a dance, when you try to recruit two good players in the same spot, as focal as PG. DJ became a lean towards LSU, and I think the staff did prefer DJ for various reasons--and so you focus on the lead guy. That's enough to push a player to another school (much like Lawson's recruitment at UNC pushed DJ away from them)--it doesn't hurt that another NO player, Tim Bush, left LSU to go to Baylor and the new coach at Baylor (Drew) is a pretty young, well respect basketball guy. DJ was going to sign with LSU, and it may not have ever been an issue losing out on Demond, but Katrina relocated his entire family to Houston. You can't have a "contingency" plan to go back and get Demond, b/c he committed so early. So, it's a bit of bad luck. Recruiting in bball is a little more sensitive that fball, b/c you typically don't have multiple schollies for various positions. There was no way we were going to sign 2 PGs this year. Perhaps Brady and Butch could have cast the net wider and had other candidates in the pipeline, but the timing of Katrina was pretty detrimental.

In any case, I'd say that I hope Demond does well. He does seem like a nice kid. I think he'll find it tough going at Baylor... a practice squad for the rest of the Big 12. Just watched them get creamed by UTexas the other night by 30+, and they also had a smallish PG running the show. Tim Bush got a few minutes but didn't do much. Demond (like any other 5'9" PG) will have some serious adjusting to do.

FWIW, we have to remember that we got Terry Martin Jr., who played PG in high school, and is a 6'5"ish kid. We'll be alright in the backcourt next year... the key is who can we sign in '07! :geauxtige
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Very smart post. Now where have you been? :grin: You sound like a guy who's got something to say with sense. I like it.

Just FYI to anyone. I wasn't posting the article to be pro or con Brady. Just hate to see a guy who's on the front of USA Today sports from Reserve go to Baylor.

Good post.

mesquite tiger · Feb 16, 2006

I find it hard to believe you think Carter is going to find it "tough going" at Baylor. Yes Baylor got crushed by Texas this year as Baylor has like 7 players getting play, and did not play a non conference schedule this year due to NCAA sanctions. The fact Baylor was even able to sign a kid like Carter during all that has been going on there in the bball program is amazing. Add to that Baylor is signing the 7 foot Lomars Kid, and another Louisiana kid (Dunn) I think Baylor will be a force in the next 2 years........and Carter will be a very big part of their success.

Brady and LSU missed the boat on this kid. Quote me.

lsuj2006 · Feb 16, 2006

Yeah, I just got back from seeing Tweety play. He can pull up from anywhere inside of halfcourt and sink it. He won't hesitate to do it either. It's remarkable.

Tiger1958 · Feb 17, 2006

Missing the boat is a harsh word. LSU will be plenty of depth at the point next season. LSU looking good next season.

TGer'nLHornLand · Feb 17, 2006

mesquite tiger said:

I find it hard to believe you think Carter is going to find it "tough going" at Baylor. Yes Baylor got crushed by Texas this year as Baylor has like 7 players getting play, and did not play a non conference schedule this year due to NCAA sanctions. The fact Baylor was even able to sign a kid like Carter during all that has been going on there in the bball program is amazing. Add to that Baylor is signing the 7 foot Lomars Kid, and another Louisiana kid (Dunn) I think Baylor will be a force in the next 2 years........and Carter will be a very big part of their success.

Brady and LSU missed the boat on this kid. Quote me.
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No doubt that Baylor has done something in recent years (with a serious probation I might add)--they've added Drew as a coach, they've recruited well, in spite of the penalties. BUT, I watched the game in person the other night, and let's just be honest, Baylor is going to have a hard time competing with Texas (note that they just had a killer recruiting class), Kansas, Oklahoma, etc., as BAYLOR. Baylor just doesn't have the resources or talent to compete consistently at that level. Now, I know... I know... this may be just the Tiger bias coming out. But, I don't know how many more "Terry Martin" stories there need to be before these good LA kids wake up and realize you can play near home, play for an elite team in the SEC (which has a lot of basketball history), and play for a up and coming program. I wonder if the new coach grabs attention and recruits now, and over time, they come to grips with Baylor as a second tier Big 12 school (ala, Quin Snyder at Mizzou?).

I'll also say that if Tweety proves me wrong, I'll be happy for the kid, b/c he DOES seem like a good kid. BUT, when you look at the number of sub 5'10" PGs that really make a huge impact moving from high school to college, there are more that struggle than make it. They have to be ultra quick and hit the J with consistency, with bigger, just as quick, guys on them, and then, they really have to adjust to playing defense on bigger guys. For example, Byron Eaton playing for Ok State (highly recruited 5'10" guy, playing for a down OSU, was recruited by Brady) has been marginal.

Needless to say, AGAIN, I'm bummed that both DJ and Demond were lost to the Big 12. And, if no one can play PG amongst Tack, Ben and Terry, you'll certainly be right that we missed out. I DO think that Butch and Brady need to solve the puzzle of signing the best PG out of LA, and that I think will instantly plug a hole in their otherwise very good recruiting scheme.

Nevertheless, it will be fun watching UTexas play Baylor in the coming years. DJ vs. Demond ...

mesquite tiger · Feb 17, 2006

I got an email today from a friend in San Diego with the McDonald's All American team, and Tweety is the PG for the West.

Tiger1958 · Feb 18, 2006

LSU Basketball today

AUBURN, Ala. -- The 25th-ranked LSU Tigers had their final workout Friday evening at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum in preparation for Saturday's Southeastern Conference matchup with Auburn.

http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27826&SPID=2166&DB_OEM_ID=5 200&ATCLID=238938