Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) Oh thats pretty big. helps tons for '10-'11 especially with Tas gone by then. damn shame we have to wait a year.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) So, when Trent is talking about possibly signing a guy in the Spring, is this what he meant? Ok, now, don't get me a wrong, stealing potentially one of the best players from an SEC rival, having a LA native come back home and WANT to play for the home school, and adding experience and leadership to what is sure to be a young team, are all great. BUT, does this count as a schollie against next year? Do we take away one of those 2010 schollies we were led to believe were so precious that Trent didn't want to pull the trigger on any other prospects in '09? Don't get me wrong, we're adding a SEC player, down low where we clearly need the help, but we're essentially getting a practice player for a year and someone who makes it that much harder to sign a kid like Tobi Oyedeji. It's something that I like, but can't get super excited about is sort of the way I'm feeling. :shock: That said, I put my trust in Trent. He must have thought that a kid like Malcolm wanting to come back to play for LSU meant something beyond the potential of a kid like Brandon West. In any case, the stage is being set for a very strong 2010-11 showing... we'll just have a LOT of growing pains in 2009-10? :bncry:
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) Perhaps Trent feels he has built enough equity to have a down 2010 season.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) Finishing 500 in the SEC is certainly doable with what we have coming back. I'd say as long as Trent avoids a losing season, LSU will be ok.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) boy, i think thats optimistic. certainly possible, but counts on a lot of unknowns. its always pretty safe to assume that youll get one or two new contributors, but this team will need good contributions from basically 4 or 5 unproven players.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) I don't think that's optimistic at all. I do agree that there are some uncertainties but unless last year was a lucky year there are a few things that are certain. We have a coach who is smart and noticeably makes the team and individuals better. CTJ preaches fundamentals, defense and rebounding and it shows not just on the little Pre SEC schools we play but in league play. I think with the way CTJ coaches and the players we do have coming back that have played in his system, 500 is not all that optimistic.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) Here's what you have to look at: first, there's always just the natural progression/regression of teams that shed players and deal with new players. What we know is experienced teams like LSU will have growing pains, but so will USC, Auburn and Bama. Ole Miss is on the decline in a pretty bad way, and Anthony Grant is an unknown. In the west, the nice thing is Ole Miss and Auburn may come down, Miss St and Arkansas will be up. In the east, Kentucky will come out of the gates roaring with all of the thoroughbreds (like the reference?) Calipari's bringing in, and UF, Vandy and UT will all be tougher next year. USC and GA will struggle. I think if LSU finishes 3rd or higher in the SEC West, and finishes 9-7 or better in the SEC, we should be happy. Luckily we're in the West and not the East (this year). I think that's doable, but a lot of that hinges on Tas' coming back. If Tas is not there, I think we'll struggle. Given that we have a tougher pre-SEC schedule, I think 20 wins would be a very nice year and being potentially the 5th or 6th SEC team that squeaks into the tourney would be very satisfying considering the "rebuilding" year, but in a year where SEC teams as a whole get more pub (especially with Calipari added to the mix). If they do better than that, they've overachieved. I do think that Warren, Harris and Bass will show marked improvement next year and will be pleasant surprises. Farrer will get his chance to see what he can do on a night-in night-out basis, and he should be a relatively stable influence. I think Graham and Green are X factors and their maturation/ability to come back from injury will have subtle, but important impacts. Let's also not forget the potential upside in Dotson, which I think could be a very nice surprise, and back up minutes from Ludwig (who will likely be seasoning most of the year, but who knows?). I can say this, watching next year will be very interesting.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) I think Bass is the key, we havn't had a true point guard in years, I think if he can develop into a guy who can drive and dish and play a little d on the other end, that will be huge.
