Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) just as losing so many players makes winning the SEC especially tough next year, so does the fact that probably every other team except auburn will be better (add uk if patterson/meeks go unless calipari goes there and brings cousins with him). as bad as there conf record was, i think arkansas is going to win the secw, if they dont lose washington.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) First, let's just say for a "down" conference, there seems to be a lot of interest in the SEC... First, let's welcome Anthony Grant back to the SEC at Bama, which was recently formally announced: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/42103577.html?showAll=y&c=y I think that this will be a good thing for the SEC, and honestly, right now with SEC East where it's at, you really have to look at the SEC West as the deeper SEC half in hoops. Largely b/c of the talented youth of that side and the increasing number of good solid young coaches (Grant, Pelphrey, Lebo, Kennedy to go with "veterans" Johnson and Stansbury). Kentucky is targeting Calipari and Izzo, but may have to pick up a young up and comer, like Sean Miller from Xavier. For a football conference, there seems to still be a lot of interest. So, that brings me to all of the "what's in store" questions for 2009-2010 LSU. Clearly next year will be a "rebuilding" year, but I'd prefer to call it an "unproven" year. I know that Gumbo and I may disagree on this, but I still say that the biggest adjustment for any college player is the transition from his first year of playing to his second. We have several Rivals top 150 players on this roster, and in particular, in a very underrated class of 2008. Graham was a top 90 guy, Warren top 120, and Harris and Bass were pretty decent pick ups. If you listen to CTJ's press conference last week on what's in store, here's the key to next season... the OFFSEASON. What CTJ wants is Bo Spencer and Harris, to get a lot stronger physically. He wants Tas and Graham to get leaner and quicker physically. He wants Warren and Bass to get smarter and better offensively. Then, there's Green, who has to be healthier, and guys like Zack Kinsley and Alex Farrer that just have to develop in all of the above categories. That may sound bleak, but here's what keeps me optimistic. Trent Johnson and his staff. Honestly, Trent has a plan and his staff has time to work with the kids. Individual work outs next month and the summer to really have the new strength and conditioning guys work with the players. I personally hope that we'll be pleasantly surprised with Warren, Harris, Bass and Graham, sort of in that order. That said, obviously, a lot of our season will depend on Tas and Bo coming back better and in the flow of the new system. Bo has to score more, Tas' has to diversify his game more on the perimeter. I do think that Tas can do that if he dedicates himself in the conditioning, ball handling and shooting side of things--he did this a couple of years ago. On the recruiting front, I'd love to see what Trent has up his sleeve, but it's looking more and more like we can't get our hopes up for the big name signing. I think it's more likely we only sign one guy, b/c CTJ is just not going to sign another project, and that guy has to be able to fill a void quickly. If Pickett doesn't land, it seems like a JUCO that really impresses Trent (there's a lot of mystery there of who is the highest target). West, well that may be a very late decision given the academic situation. :geauxtige:geauxtige
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) I agree a lot of teams will be better but I don't think LSU will be that much worse. Like my TGer'nLHornLand said dont underestimate the 2008 class! Bass showed flashes of brilliance along with a lot of freshman mistakes with a good offseason with the coaches and after a year under CTJ system he could be hell. I won't be surprised if we see Bass and Bo on the court at the same time a lot next year expecially with our inecperience at the 2 spot and the development of Bo's 3 ball that helps spread the D. The same can be said of Warren brilliance and mistakes but one thing you can say about that guy is he leaves it all on the court. I can see Warren and Taz on the court a lot with Taz playing 3 and helping out on D with the bigger 4's in the SEC. I've always liked the Graham signing i kinda kept up with him after we signed him and i think he has the most upside of anyone in the 2008 class, it just seemed like when he was on the court he was a little lost. I think once he gets his confidance he's going to exploade. I hoping Harris will be a good Chris Johnson replacement. I get the feeling he's not going to gain weight but you get the feeling that he may be a little better on the offensive side of the ball... he had some pretty good high school numbers. And a big question mark is how will Green be when he gets back. Back problems have killed a few guys in the NBA but Green is young and maybe his body will have a better chance of recovery. Im not going to say we will win the SEC but im not going to rule it out! Part of that is I bleed purple and Gold and I hope we win every year but we have good players and a smart coach who knows how to get the best out of those good players.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) http://www.maxpreps.com/louisiana/b...d-439e-a076-feeeb92dac17&urpath=,local,player Brandon West's Jr stats
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) Well, Trent Johnson apparently disagrees. He basically used the last press conference of the year to set very low expectations for next year. LSU lived and died on the performance of 1 jr and 3 seniors this past year. Without awesome recruiting, you cannot replace MT, CJ and TM in one year. As for underestimating the 2008 class, it's tough to estimate them AT ALL! LSU was a 6 man roster last year for all intents and purposes. Bench production was non-existent. So I'm not sure how you can even guess at Bass and Warren's impact on next year's team. I'm not saying it can't be a good season. I'm just saying Coach TJ is setting the narrative at "rebuilding year" for a reason. He's worried.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) We'll be lucky to finish .500 in league play in my estimation. This clearly wasn't the year to join the Preseason NIT.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) New tigerbait article on Brandon West. The more you hear about him, the more you want him. 6'10" 255 lbs. 7-4 wingspan? And he shoots 86% FT PLEASE make the grades; he only has a 17 on the ACT
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) Good lord, that would make my spring if somehow we got West, I just hope he can get his grades in order...seems to be the only thing holding him back from being a Tiger.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) Sorry if already discussed, I could have missed it. Trent is in a tough situation with the graduation rates produced by the Brady years. It is my understanding that if everyone on the team next year does not stay and graduate (minus Marcus) we will lose 2 scholarships. So finding prospects with the intentions of staying through graduation is a big objective. I worry about that with our chances of possibly offering and landing West.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) How long would we have to play with a two scholarship deficit if one player leaves? Getting a player like West may be worth the risk. Unless we have someone with that skill level in the 2010 class that is definitely coming in, I say sign him if he wants to be a Tiger.
