Hoops Recruiting (2007-2008)

easy fella. still no true PG. GT is getting better but without a dependable shot and little ability to drive the team will be really limited. also, need to see how the team can hit the boards. johnson and randolph will always have a tough time against good rebounding opponents (see bama and miss st).

its tough to depend on freshmen for something, though obviously they can come through. at the very least, morgan will be able to provide minutes to spell johnson and randolph so poor performance is less likely when one of them gets in foul trouble.

to be good next year the team needs a dependable outside shooter (thornton to become consistent, martin to do something, mitchell?, GT?, spencer?, Fr?), and a big beefy defender. i think the post d will be fine with morgan coming in, but im skeptical about PG development and a dependable shooter.

 

checked a few stats.

3pt fg %--GT has improved every year from .248-.319

tasmin mitchell is better than i thought at .376 last year.

 

I think this has been a constant source of contention--the lack of a PG. And, while I'd agree that LSU has not had a "true" point in a long time, I think you're over emphasizing this. What's the difference between our record the last 8 or so games versus the 8 games prior? Certainly not the change in personnel... (well, with the exception of CJ coming back) the change has come from playing better as a group, defending better and playing more confidently at times. While GT and Bo Spencer have their issues, I still think that the main problem with this team this year has been poor utilization of the players, player depth, youth and chemistry, and lack of "winning" experience on the floor.

I think next year, Thornton is as dependable of an outside threat as you can hope for in this league, you add Tas' Mitchell as a toughness, glue guy, you have Morgan for frontline depth and beef, and you have just more bodies that can go out on the court and hustle--I don't think that Garrett and Spencer hurt the team--they just end up playing a little more of a methodical offense. I think Delwan Graham gives you a different look on the wing than Terry Martin, who tends to disappear on d, and jack up the three too much. And, I think you have a Bo Spencer that's more mature, with more time running the point. If there was another high-potential guard available in spring recruiting, I'd take a run at that person, but I don't think overhauling our point or SG situation is necessarily going to be the key to success. I think the new coaches ability to weave in the right combination of Tas' coming back, Randolph and Morgan, and Johnson (and making sure our other front line guys, like Garrett Green, Storm Warren, Dennis Harris, stay motivated and happy) on the front line will be key, and energizing these guys to play hard 40 minutes each game will be the key.

I do think to some extent, this year the loss of Tasmin, Chris Johnson, and Quentin Thornton at various times of the year skewed this team's ability to get confidence and chemistry. That, along with the needed time for Thornton and Randolph to find their place, just led to a growing pains season. Much of that, assuming whatever coach there is in place can keep things together during our offseason, will presumably be less of an issue next year.

PS along the recruiting front... do any of these guys merit consideration?

All-Top 28 team released today...

http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/16436961.html

Remember that last season we picked up Bo Spencer, who was a tournament MVP--he certainly helped us out this year.

 

i think the biggest difference is motivation, having cj out, and experience. the three main offensive threats had 0 yrs experience, half year experience (at best), and jc experience. there was serious on the job training going on.

still think the team will be severely limited without a pg that can drive and dish or drive and kickout. this can be made up to a degree, but tough without a low post offensive threat or an extra shooter.

 

You add Mitchell & Morgan plus having a years experience to our team & I don't think we will be at a rebounding disadvantage against anyone. Temple & Spencer are adquate guards & add Temples defense & that makes up for his lack of offense.. I think next year LSU will be in the race for the conference title.. At any rate we will be a lot better than this year. We're gonna be moving on up!!

 

Im starting to agree more and more about the point guard issue, after watching virginia and maryland last night and sean singletary who is a special talent but a great point guard to who pretty much made his entire team better by driving down the lane and dishing it off to wide open post player or wing players every other possession. It just seems we havnt had anyone who can consistently get in the lane like that in a very long time.

 

We need improvement at the point guard position no doubt.. If someone special is available get em if we can... But, we have two guards coming in after this coming year Mason-Griffin & Mitchell in 2009. Thats if we can keep them. Derrick Taylor is the last great penetrating guard that I can recall..

 

Mason Grffin is more of a scorer from the game i have seen but still a great talent, maybe he can get some things done at the point.

 

hasnt been THAT long. cj and mo williamson could penetrate. livingston was great.


ive never thought of it this way, but perhaps LSU has been generally poor at 3pt fg % not because of poor shooters but because of a lack of penetrating PGs.---granted with dominant post players since '00 they are not needed for that role so much

 

We have guys who can drive the lane, Randolph and Thornton. Unfortunately they both refuse to dish when they are covered. Both would rather have their shot blocked rather than pass back out to a wide open shooter. How many shots did they have blocked vs Mississippi State? Enough to make a difference in the game.