http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticl...166&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205711080&DB_OEM_ID=5200 http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2012/10/lsu_basketball_gets_season_off.html#incart_river Most of the practice was closed, but some was open to the media and here is the official update from LSUSports. All I can report is what is reported and surmised by looking at the photos and stuff. Looks like CJJ focused on his new schemes, particularly, the offensive sets, rebounding and pushing the ball up. Seems like they ran quite a bit, and focused on one on one drills with appropriate match-ups (e.g., Ludwig on Courtney). Alot more fan fare in the start of the season. No reports on actual attendance numbers, but there's definitely more of a willingness of CJJ to talk to fans and try to pump up the crowd. CJJ did more like CNC when she started. Seems like a good coaching duo. They'll also be opening a free exhibition on Nov 5th. So, going back to some free games for fans, as opposed to more recently Trent choosing to do more closed, private scrimmages with other teams. Here are some more thoughts and guesses. JOB has reported come back much leaner and meaner. Knowing that he has to run a lot more, at least pro-Tiger reports have been that he's taken his off season seriously and gotten in shape. Nice, because that will be key. Andre Stringer will be focused on upping his shooting % from low 30s. He was a better scorer in HS than what he's shown, so hopefully the uptempo pace will help get him open looks more. It was a good system for Josh White (from BR who went to NTexas), so I can't see why it doesn't work for Stringer, who is about the same size. Will be interesting to watch some of the PG dynamic that develops as well as who is going to start on the wing for us. Hickey will likely flourish as well in Jones' system, but I want to see what the deal is with this kid Corban Collins. A bigger PG with a shot, Collins and Hickey matching up in practices will be fun. Likewise, you now have some pretty interesting wing play in Morgan, Hammink and Coleman. Some young guns who can slash to the basket and hit the jumper. In the post-Thornton Trent era, it seemed like we had more "one-dimensional" wings. Either aggressive slashers who failed to hit the shot, or jump shooters who wouldn't be aggressive takin' it to the hoop. Now, you've got Morgan, Hammink and Coleman who may be more complete players. Exciting for sure. I'm sure the media will be following basketball a little bit more closely with Jones, and I see Jones being fairly open with his news, as he's trying to keep the interest level up in the sport.
Not really LSU news, per se, but I got to give my shoutout to ole' Trent Johnson. He's also "doin' some work" recruiting for TCU. He's off to a hot start with 3 top players, including 6'10" big man Karviar Shepherd, a top 50 TX big man, another top 150 forward, and a top San Antonio PG committing to the Frogs. http://www.rantsports.com/ncaa-bask...and-tcu-land-top-50-recruit-karviar-shepherd/ Maybe the change of scenery was really good for everyone. Best of luck to Trent.
Wow, where have I been? Good reporting, Mr. Green. Exciting for sure. And you already gave some pub to CTJ. This is an intriguing prospect for sure. Not too often that near 7 footers appear within a short drive from LSU, so I've got to think that Coach Jones and Coach Patrick are taking a little bit of a flyer on this one. A skilled big who's got Houston ties, and fits the mold of sort of that "EURO" big that plays well in a running and gunning offense. And, the possibility of playing sooner is certainly a plus.
Thanks! But I do miss your in depth analysis...Where ya been man?! It's about time to start a 2014 thread. We've got one big fish left in 2013 and we are already getting visits from 2014 recruits http://chicagohoops.hoops247.com/in...-reynolds-talks-lsu-visit&catid=34:recruiting I like CJJ's recruiting style, he is not taking days off at all!
+1 mrgreen. both of you give great insight for those of us not in the know and now live far away from the buzz. thanks to both of you!
Dude, start the 2014 thread! No deference to me, please. I've just been really tied up with various life activities. I'm certainly psyched about what this coaching staff can do, but like with the Trent era beginning, we tend to be super optimistic at beginnings of seasons. Unlike Trent's time, I think Jones has a different challenge. Trent had a group of Seniors who underachieved with Brady and he made them winners. What he failed to do is set the foundation with really solid early recruiting. Jones, playing to his strengths, assembled a good staff and hit the recruiting trail as his first priority. Now, it's a bright future ahead. The question is what will Jones' style reveal about this team of relative young talent and new blood? New 2014 recruit who visited LSU for an unofficial supposedly: Rob Marberry, a 6'7" forward/center from TN. Getting that LSU name out, far and wide.
Martin will announce tomorrow, and we look good, according to this article. Hornland, MrGreen, what do you guys hear? http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2012/10/jarrell_martin_ready_to_pick_a.html#incart_river
