2012-2013 LSU Men's Basketball General Discussion Thread

I think that Alleva's part of the problem. Bad decision hiring Johnson. He was impressed with him because he was a west coast guy. I think Alleva's more of a basketball snob than a basketball sage.

 

I think the future is bright for LSU hoops. After starting out 0-4 in the conference, very impressive to now be at .500, winning 6 out of the last 8. We're winning the close games, and now the last two by double-digits. CJJ doing a fine job, IMO.

 

Alleva sure as hell isn't keeping his job based on his prowess in hiring coaches. First Trent washed out, then the whole Patrick Murphy embarrassment where he tucked tail and ran back to Bama 2 days after he put on this big dog and pony show at a press conference, and now his star golden girl that he's throwing $700K a year at to run a women's basketball program is sitting below .500 in SEC play on the season.

 

Trent Johnson and the girlie basketball coach were both highly thought of coaches. He replaced Johnson with Jones (who seems to be doing pretty good as of yesterday) and Miles hired a new OC (which was a moderate to high level shock to me). I'm not ready to be too critical. Not making the right decision is one thing, not making a decision is another.

 

Highly thought of or not, Alleva's actual results are dismal at this point. Sometimes it's not just about the name, but whether a coach's style, temperament, etc. translates well into your program. It explains why Trent could have success at Stanford and Nevada, but not at LSU. Johnny is purely a political hire, maybe he'll make it here, maybe not, but I am pulling for him.

 

What does any of this have to do with Jeremy Lin?

Do you discount ctj coaching the best season ever for Lsu bball? You act like the guy screwed your daughter.

 

Look, at the end of the day, hoops fans can be hopeful and optimistic. That's a big something as compared to the last few years, perhaps (and whether you think so or not the AD gets credit for it). CJJ is doing things the right way, and taking the season day by day. It's a "process" as coach-speak goes, and when you look at what happened on Saturday, I'm not complaining. As for Nicki Caldwell, as well, give it some time. MSU is a nice opponent for both sets of Tigers, as the women win handily against the 'dogs to get back to .500 as well. Caldwell has recruited well (not tremendous, but well) and I really like some of the young players she has, like Ballard who seems to be a baller, and Plaisance. Without one and dones in the womens' college game, and I believe another decent recruit already committed for next season, Caldwell's team will gradually improve. She probably needs one or two more nice signees in this class, and a good late season run for her, like CJJ would do the season well.

Let's keep this on basketball however. LSU looked markedly better in their game against MSU than say early SEC season. JOB has found his stride, but what was impressive was almost the first triple double in LSU hoops since Shaq. 2 assists short for JOB. Guys shot well from the field, and what they are learning is surprise, having inside-outside balance and patience, usually leads to good offense. With O'Bryant being a legit threat to score down low, MSU had to collapse more leaving guys like Carmouche and Stringer more open to take clean shots. Tigers shoot over 50% from 3, outrebound MSU and overall "dominate" an opponent for a first time in a while.

What was the attendance I wonder?

I think the next game is Tennessee on the road tomorrow on ESPNU. A much stiffer challenge against a SEC team right there with LSU in the middle of the pack. They'll be pumped after handing UK their worst loss to Tenn ever. It'll be interesting to see if Tenn plays a little off after such a good game against UK, and likewise for the Tigers, can they continue their success on the road? Don't want to oversell the importance of the game, but it's a quality opponent on the road. Would be nice to pick up some serious resume building points here.

GEAUX TIGERS!

 

The future is brightER but I'm skeptical of cjj being able to compete for sec championships. So far, it seems like winning by lowest common denominator. But hey, if that's ever gonna work it's in the shitty sec ---their is only one good team. Just hope for getting on the other side of the bracket.

You lose to every team with a pulse, and a few without one, except for mizzou, and even they were missing A top player. Now Lsu has stopped losing to shitty teams like USC and auburn, we'll see next if they can beat a decent team. Ut, bama, om, arky and mizz coming up and only mizz is any good.

 

So the Tigers lose a competitive game to Tennessee on the road. http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=206465384

I'll say that watching the game, it was a good game. The Tigers played tough, CJJ threw a lot at Tennessee, but when a team just doesn't miss like Tennessee last night, it's going to be tough to win. I think here is where you sort of see the Tigers' backcourt struggling a little bit with bigger taller guards, where LSU won the battle down low (JOB had another tremendous game and outplayed Stokes) but Tennessee's guards just couldn't be stopped. J. McCrae was unstoppable, and hit threes, jumpers from all over--he could elevate easily over Stringer and he sort of got away from LSU's younger less experienced big guards. You'd like to have seen Hickey maybe contain their point a little bit better, but it's hard to fault the overall effort. Again, not to beat the drum here, but watch out next year when you add a Tim Quarterman and Jarrell Martin, who could both guard the wings. I'd like to commend Malik Morgan for a career high in points and his offense, although, he had a hard time staying with McCrae. Also, Hammink got good minutes and played hard on d when in there.

This was likely a game where Tennessee was expected to win, but a very good barometer of where the SEC "mid-pack" teams are. Tennessee is on a roll heading into the home stretch. Contrary to what Mr. Gumbo says the SEC will likely right now entertain potentially 5 teams in the dance, FLA, Mizzou (who beat FL last night), 'Bama who while may not have a great out of conference schedule, has continued to win gritty close games in the SEC, and Ole Miss. UK is potentially that 5th team, but now you've got Arkansas, Tennessee and LSU within striking distance. The team on the hot streak and continues that run into the SECTourney probably picks up that spot. LSU just has to win as many games as it can from here on out, and 'Bama is certainly a bigger game to win this weekend than last night's game. A home game and a chance to really pick up some RPI points.

Now, where are the Tigers' hoops fans?

 

Be fair. With consistency and victory comes booties on the seats.