If you like watching hoops, of course it's worth watching! What I think is worth watching is the potential of certain players. For one, I think Trent made it a point this game to get Tasmin more involved (almost by necessity). Tas was much more active, though from the low post, where he was able to crash the boards, hit some low post buckets and get to the line. I was disappointed in the team's free throw shooting though. This is not a team that can afford to lose the gimme points. Also, it was nice to see Kinsley a little more. The kid hit some big threes, showed some decent defense and didn't seem to shy away from taking a larger role. I don't know in the second half whether it was just ASU figured they had to guard him or what, but in the first half Kinsley did alright. Honestly, I'm not sure we lose too much from Farrer to Kinsley, and I think having Kinsley get the minutes on this stage have to help him and the team down the road. Other than that, I'm not sure there's a lot to look at there. Bass needs to develop some confidence in his shot to the point where he can hit a jump shot versus a zone--if Bo is out, you can expect a lot of zone. I don't know if Green and Harris took a step back this week, but clearly those guys have to improve in a hurry. Green almost needs to work on his touch around the goal--he misses a good number of close in shots that really needs to be his forte this year. Harris just gets exposed when players his height, with more weight, are in the game. In some ways, ASU and UConn were two of the worst match ups for the Tigers, b/c both teams have several players 6'9" or taller with good weight. Oh, what we could be doing with Malcolm White on the floor... :sob:
The injuries certainly haven't helped. The only bright spot I see right now is that young players are getting some experience that will pay off down the road. I hope that didn't come out wrong, I see this as a positive and something to build on in the future. I just hope that the team can stay positive the rest of the season no matter what. Yep, surprised by the Duke vs UCon score also!
Trent has always been high on him but we need Green and Dotson to make significant improvement between now and sec play.
missed the game but saw some of the players walking around times square tonight. they looked moderately happy, like a team that hadnt played well but is optimistic.
I agree their is not a lot of fall off from Farrer to Kinsley. He plays hard with the talent he has. He is not a guy we will want playing 40 minutes all year long, but it is good to know he isn't intimidated by the big stage.
Needless to say -- because I'm sure just about everyone in this thread watched both games --I don't think these Tigers are talented enough WITH Bo to beat the heavyweights in the SEC. I said 10-6 before the season, but I'm going to have to adjust that by about 3 or 4 games downward after seeing the lack of production from Dotson and Green so far. Dotson seems like he has confidence, but his shots haven't even been close for the most part & I think he really needs to score at least 10 a game for LSU to be competitive. Green looks very tentative, which tells me he's at least in pain if not injured which corroborates Trent's preseason information. In his limited minutes vs ASU, he was late on several helpside attempts and of course blew some gimmes, which isn't a good omen in my mind. Storm has been a pleasant surprise, but having two 6-7 forwards in the post out there for most of the game doesn't scare anyone. It's pretty clear that Tasmin just doesn't have the quickness to play SF and will do most of his damage in the low post. Harris does some nice things athletically, but I see him as a Chris Johnson type at the most. It remains to be seen whether or not teams will continue to play zone defense against LSU. If we see a steady diet, we will live and die by whoever's shooting since I don't believe our rebounding can stay consistent. I see another trip to MSG in our future.. :redface:
Well, if you base how LSU played on these two games in NY, I suppose one can be more pessimistic. I'm certainly more disappointed that LSU couldn't muster a win against an ASU team that is likely picked near the bottom of the PAC-10. :nope: But, you have to be somewhat optimistic that LSU even got to MSG, that the kids got to see exposure in two ESPN games, spend Thanksgiving in NY. At the end of the day, I feel good for these kids having the experience in NY. For goodness sakes, Kinsley is a walk-on and he is getting PT on national TV. I think that if the Tigers are .500 in SEC play, this season is a success. I agree that it remains to be seen what they actually look like by seasons' end. If they can finish above 4th in the SEC west, in some ways, they will have exceeded expectations. We've certainly seen how a season can evolve and how teams can find their groove mid or late season. Heck the final four team in 2006 was what 7-6 at one point in the season, and so now, we find ourselves 3-2. If we can beat teams like WKU, with a full roster, I do remain optimistic that we can compete... if we're healthy and play well. I do, however, think that LSU will struggle against teams that have bigger players and there are several in the SEC West that will give LSU match up problems. But, with the number of new faces getting real PT, you expect the Tigers to look a little out of sorts at times. I think the real key to this season is Trent and his staff, and the maturation of several key younger players. How will Trent implement an offensive game plan to make the most of this roster? Will they be able to teach and improve this team's defense? I think that they've learned this trip anyway, that they have to find better perimeter shots and groom shooters. I haven't lost hope on Dotson--he will be key in LSU's improvement as the season goes on (he complained of tendinitis... another injury). Bass's and Kinsley's improved confidence will also be key. Will Tas' be able to find a consistent 15-16 points a game, and Warren chip in another 15? All the while Green and Harris need to step up their games, and Bo will have to be back. We saw in NY in game one, LSU playing about as poorly as they could against a superior team and in game two, LSU playing as an incomplete team. I think we have to hope that LSU will be healthy soon and play better. That team I think can at least compete on most nights in the SEC.
it is going to be painful. AzSt played sluggish D in the first half. when they picked it up to near SEC level D, the tigers were shut down. guard play is going to kill this team. the only way this team will have a decent shot at beating the top half SEC teams will be if Bo goes off. maybe something will click with dotson later in the season. this team will not be good and im not sure next year's will be either, but CTJ is clearly a very good coach. we just have to hang in there til he collects a few good recruiting classes.
I think many would agree with you. But, I think you have to keep things in perspective. ASU was picked 7th in the Pac10, but UCLA lost to one of the small Cali schools and then lost to Portland by close to 30 points. Miss St., Alabama, Auburn and Arkansas all have 2 or more losses against arguably lesser teams. It's a long season. Dotson hasn't looked bad, just not confident to take charge yet. Afterall, you're asking him to come in after Marcus Thornton. He's athletically there, and could be better given a fully healthy knee. His shot hopefully will come. Kinsley is serviceable as a shooting guard. The season will come down to Bo, Tas' and Warren playing well and smart and then role players stepping up. But, I think that yes, Trent needs more time to recruit his players. I think what you can say is that adding 4 potentially 5 players, plus Malcolm White to this team will make it formidable. 2011 won't really do much, so we're we're looking at next year's team growing a few years together. 2012 needs to be a class where Trent hits it out of the park recruiting wise.
