I'm excited, but I think this is going to be an issue. We have had some great big men over the years, but looking down the roster, I'm not sure we have that kind of player this year. I think we will be ok at the guard positions. There is a lot of experience back there.
Gumbo, I hear ya, b/c in some ways I believed in CJB, but here's some of the logic. First, you get Tas' back, and you get a more seasoned group of players back--Chris Johnson (the go to man inside), Bo Spencer, Garrett Temple (hopefully healthy), Marcus, etc. Regardless of them being the same personnel, people tend to get better with experience, another year in the weight room, etc. Second, don't underestimate some of the new players, Storm Warren and Delwan Graham, were both top 150 type HS players. They will be underrated additions to the team. Heck, even walk on Zack Kingsley (sp?), will be a contributor. Trent is likely to go deeper into the bench, and hence have a fresher team. We lose Anthony Randolph, but... Thirdly, and you really can't underestimate this... coaching, attitude and team chemistry. We all know Brady wasn't the best in game coach and we also sensed that at times the team was undisciplined, perhaps even a little selfish. Obviously, it remains to be seen, but many times last year it was throw it to Marcus or Randolph and let them see what they could do. Who knows how much of Butch's strategy was make Randolph look as good as he could so he could be drafted high (obviously, folks like Anthony Randolph, J'Mison Morgan, and Tommy Mason-Griffin bailed on LSU after Brady and Butch left, right)? How well is this team going to play team defense? Little things that Trent will be doing, like making Garrett play the 3 instead of the point, living with Chris Bass and Bo at point, going with a smaller line up but having Tas play PF, are coaching decisions that can create chemistry and team work that can be hugely important on the court. So, I'm fairly optimistic. With a lot of home games and a softer overall front end of the schedule, I think Trent will learn alot about his players and vice versa. So, if nothing else, it'll be fun to watch!
Two things: (1) Chris Johnson and Garrett Green (who both gained weight over the summer), Tas', Q' Thornton (with no eligibility issues) and a thin Dennis Harris (who is at least 6'10"). (2) When you look at matchups in the SEC, you have to ask yourself whether it will matter as much this year. The Hendrix type player from 'Bama, the Stephen Hill from Arkansas is not there any more. About the closest thing to a dominant big man in the SEC West is Varnado of Miss St. We've got three kids over 6'10" and they'll be matching up against similarly sized kids at 6'8-6'9" in the SEC. Now, I agree much of this assumes that Tas' can be effective in the post at 6'7" 240, Garrett Green's improvement at 6'10" 230, and Chris Johnson's durability at 6'11" 205-210. But, here's to being optimistic...
definitely a plus, but he's just a solid player and a great defender, not a go to guy, and unfortunately he cant be counted on to defend the post, rebound or handle the ball. now, if he morphs into a scorer, either with a consistent J or with penetration, that's a whole other ball of wax needs to be qualified. go to man inside-- depending on the competition. and honestly, what really matters is what a player can do against their best competition. he's great in transition (hope ctj is reading) and good on the high post. he's very good defending off his man in the paint, too. but i still think this equals good record against average teams and few wins against great teams. sure, we'll see, but am i right in thinking that none of them are best at ball-handling, post D or rebounding? absolutely. really the biggest reason to be optimistic is that the SECW looks to be down. but its still hard to imagine anything more than one win in ncaa tourney. id be happy with that, but honestly, thats what last years team would have done with tas and cj.
Well, I think your original post was who would defend and rebound right? A healthy Tas' does that, so does a healthy Q for the whole season. As for the comments about Tas', I think you're not giving him credit as a leader and team gel guy. The guy hustles, gets 8 or so boards a game, and was known to score by hitting Js and getting points down low. Tas' can certainly score with Thornton on the outside and CJ floating around. Don't get me wrong, this team, on paper, isn't going to the final four or anything, but is there reason to be optimistic? Yes. I take issue with the assessment that with Tas and CJ alone they were a NCAA team last year. CJ was only out for some games and they had Anthony Randolph, a lottery pick. They let a near 20 point lead slip at 'Nova, they lost a lot of close games where a few plays here and there (i.e., coaching) might have made a difference. Maybe I am being optimistic, but a one and done year would be better than the last two years right? I personally think that coaching buys us a few more wins, a more mature, cohesive team buys us a few, and a more favorable schedule buys a few more. A LSU team with maybe 19 wins and a NCAA berth is not a bad start to Trent's era.
i meant that last years team, with Tas and CJ all season would have made the tourney and would have had a good shot at winning a game.
Dunno. It's my humble opinion that a low-key, quiet, ambitious kid like Anthony Randolph (who's all about Anthony Randolph) might do more to hurt LSU than help LSU. I think we have program kids up and down the roster now. Unselfishness is just one component of teams that prevents us letting 20 point leads slip away.
its not about unselfishness. its about getting a good shot. so if AR could get the best shot, then he should take it. he was really the only one on the team--including CJ and Tas that create their own shot. although passing to an open man is the best way i think its more about experience. im all for getting program guys. teams are better off with a darrell mitchell and garrett temple than brandon bass or anthony randolph. ive always believed that and i hope thats what ctj does. but thats beside the point. the roster isnt balanced. getting program guys doesnt necessarily result in a balance roster. Xs and Os wise, i dont see where the post D, post O, rebounding, or perimeter scoring will come from. and that last one is a biggie considering a lack of post play. tas or gt or martin have to step up. no way a decent team will let thornton do it by himself. but im very much looking forward to this season. im expecting extended pressure D that will support up tempo O.
