So, c'mon folks--despite the 9-7 start, LSU IS playing Florida today... in SEC BASKETBALL. The funny thing? Both teams are 0-2 in SEC play. And, the Advocate has a good article today about the fine balance of winning and losing in college basketball... 2theadvocate.com | Sports | At their crossroads — Baton Rouge, LA. For folks that are currently down on the program, I'd encourage you to look at Billy D's record over the last few years. Remember that this is the same coach that won 2 NCs, and was lined up for a NBA job not too long ago. Not to cast stones here, but Billy D has recruited well (Kenny Boynton, Alex Tyus, Chandler Parsons, and the list goes on) but largely underachieved. Billy D has also had kids leave early (Nick C, Jai Lucas). Trent is playing with 4 walk-ons on his team. I guess my points here are (1) even with good recruiting, there's need for good coaching, and (2) the line between winning and losing in college basketball is a fine line. The issues largely remain the same, are players truly committed to playing hard on every play, defending, rebounding and valuing the rock on every possession. When your margin of error is small, you have to rely on doing all of the little things very well, and that's where we find ourselves this season. With Florida, you have a talented, but perhaps undermotivated, "me first" culture. I hope LSU stays more like what Trent is trying to build at LSU and less like Florida. Win or lose, let's GEAUX Tigers!!! :grin:
:lol: I guess, if you look at Billy D's NCs, I guess I am smokin' crack. But, I'd contend that those NCs were largely based upon stellar, "once in a lifetime" type of class(es). I'd argue pound for pound, Trent is a better coach. But, my other point is, you give Trent time, I'd argue that his system will create more consistency and stability than Billy's program. The question for Tiger fans is do you prefer long stretches of not making the post-season and the occassional deep run? Or would you like to see LSU at the top of the SEC and making the post-season consistently. I'd say the latter, given that was a huge complaint with Brady, and that's what I think Trent (given some more time) will show. You look at the last few years at Florida since the Noah, Brewer, Green class left, and Billy has really largely underachieved despite pretty good recruiting. No post season play, other than NIT. That doesn't say top-tier coach to me, despite the good recruiting. We can take this debate up again, after 2010-11 class comes in and beyond. Now, I think Florida still benefits "street cred" wise given their NCs, but look at their results the last few year, player development, and such, and it hasn't been stellar. Calipari in the East will start to tarnish Mr. Donovan's shine. Quite frankly, Pearl and Stallings are starting to really expose Donovan...
That is the danger of wanting to field a team full of stars and asking questions later. I'm just hoping Trent realizes that you do need SOME of those types of players to be consistently successful. They're not all gonna be four-year kids who want to graduate.
I'll gladly take a basketball NC run every few years over a team that is "making the post-season consistently". Donavan is coming back down to earth, that is all. In the eyes of some though, he is suddenly doing things wrong. Nonsense. Still a very competitive team he has there. Yet our coach is doing everything right, despite not fielding a competitive team at all this season. Next year will indeed be interesting for LSU basketball.
Florida is 0-2 in sec play losing at Vandy and at home to Kentucky but played pretty well in both games and I suspect they will have little trouble today.
Funny how the thread starter compared LSU's 0-2 SEC record to that of Florida's. Not even in the same gym. One team is very competitive while the other team never stood a chance.
You guys are too focused on the short-term view and this season--I think anyone understanding what it takes to build a program could see that Trent would need some transition time. My post was largely to point out the long-term view, and the fact that in the standings, teams like Florida are also, like LSU 0-2. Certainly, I'm not saying that the teams are comparable on the talent top to bottom level, just that as fans of college basketball, there isn't a whole lot sometimes between losing and winning. And, long term, I do believe in what Trent is doing. You are right, next year will be interesting for sure.
Yes, we get it. Recruiting players that will be here for four years. Using those as a base for the program. Then recruiting one or two that are really good and likely out after one or two seasons. Not relying on those players to sustain the program though. However, you are making a silly comparison of LSU to Florida. Florida looks good while playing to 0-2 while LSU looks awful in doing the same. In actuality, Florida's current program is what most LSU basketball fans would love to have right now. Sure Florida is having a down time, but they are highly competitive in their games.
I would rather model LSU to Duke than Florida. I haven't kept up with the stats the last few years but Duke usually doesn't have that many players go pro. They build their team with good players surrounded by one future pro player if that. I have seen many Duke teams in the past that won with no players going pro after a year or two. I agree with TgernHornland in this thead.
