So, for the hoops fans who can look optimistically towards the final four and next season, the McDonald's High AA Game was last night. Got to watch a lot of it, and frankly, there were some very interesting tidbits to come out of it last night... http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recruiting/ First, let's talk about the LSU relevance. LSU's first McD AA signee since Tasmin Mitchell in 2005 was Johnny O'Bryant, a 6'10" 260 ish, PF/C who started for the winning East team. Now, given some of skuttlebutt about his points being down this season in MS, and his "work ethic" issues, I was very curious to see what all it was all about. I believe after it was all said and done, I was pleasantly surprised with his performance. First, it's stands to note that he started. He is depending on how you look at rankings, not the highest rated big man by any means. Some would argue he's slipped a little this year, maybe being rated a top 5-10 PF, or top 5-6 center, depending on the rag. But, he was always considered a top recruit early in his HS career, and played on the USA HS basketball team--not anything to scoff at. The fact as well is noted that LSU was in the game for the first time in a long time, certainly we have been absent since the "glory run" of Brady's recruiting local BR players who were All-American Caliber. Further, O'Bryant is the first non-LA player signed by LSU in 18 years, and frankly for all of the nay-sayers, LSU hasn't signed that many of them (for interesting names of past McDAA LSU signees, see: Basketball Signee O'Bryant Set for McDonald's Game - LSUsports.net - The Official Web Site of LSU Tigers Athletics). It was also noted that all in all, not that many schools were represented in the game--mostly Big conference schools, with a smaller number of schools getting a higher concentration of players---for some it's a "rich get richer" phenomenon, Kentucky (4), Duke (3), UNC, Ohio State, and Syracuse (with 2 each). No Pac 10 signees, and SEVEN SEC signees (most of any conference). http://www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com/2011_BoysRosterAlph.pdf But on to Johnny O'Bryant, or as he's commonly becoming known, JOB. First, let's put to rest the kid's size. He's a legitimate big body, 6'10" ish, and 255-265 big body. Now some of that bigness is a little untoned, but he doesn't have that far to go. He's also strong and moves around relatively well. He has a little bit of a tendency to "look" disinterested or like he's just standing around out there, but I found him moving at the right times, getting to spots, blocking out on boards and being "at the right place at the right time". He was active on the boards, picking up boards, loose balls, getting steals and putting his hands up quickly to deflect passes. He also had a few nice drives to the hoops, he suprised me on some dribble drives for a few tougher lay ups. While he doesn't show up as the MVP, he didn't embarass himself, and got a few positive comments from commentators on the show. I think with some conditioning and refinement of some post moves, the raw size and strength, rebounding and ability to block shots, is something that will help the team immediately next year. ESPN's take on JOB is a favorable one: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/basketball/mens/news/story?id=6273251 http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/blog?name=telep_dave&id=6270115&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2fblog%3fname%3dtelep_dave%26id%3d6270115 A few other interesting items noted on the show. First, you talk on one hand about this talent, and then on the other hand, how many McDAAs are in the final four? Surprisingly not that many. On one side of the bracket there are none, with VCU or Butler. With UConn and Kentucky, there are obviously a few. It's the juniors and seniors of VCU and Butler against the young guns of Kentucky, and relatively speaking UConn. Teams with more of those McDAAs, Duke, UNC, Kansas, were sent home packing. Nevertheless, to me there's an interesting formula for basketball success... for the premier big conference "basketball schools" (and for now, I'd put Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, UNC, UCLA and maybe a few more in that category), it's the delicate game of recruiting big names, balancing them with some veterans, coaching them up quickly and keeping the kids in school as long as you can because you know they're going to leave. For the "mid-majors" who are also basketball schools, you know you can recruit under the radar kids, who will stay in school, and hopefully through good coaching and kids playing together for 3-4 years, you've got a cohesive team. And, as long as you can survive your conference (albeit overall weaker), and be that top 1 or 2 teams your conference, you might squeak into the dance as a 8-12 seed (note of course that teams like Wichita State and Coastal Carolina were left out and probably could have been in there). How else can you explain Butler, being in the final four two years in a row? But, where does that leave the "middle of the pack" schools at big conferences? They don't have the luxury of playing in the Horizon League or Colonial league. They're competing against the likes of Kentucky, Duke in recruiting, but don't have the luxury of being at the top of their conferences all of the time. In some ways, it's more difficult for those schools like LSU, Ole Miss, Florida State, Marquette, Texas Tech, etc., who are somewhere in between. Nevertheless, the key for these programs is getting as good of players as they can, who will stay 3-4 years. That's frankly how teams like Marquette, Florida and Florida State were able to make a splash this year. For folks crying about LSU's demise, please then judge LSU when the 2009 and 2010 classes are in their 3rd and 4th years. Sprinkle in on top of that, a McDAA or two, a JOB, or a Ricardo Gathers next year (who knows if he'll actually get to that level), or another impact player (whether he's a JUCO AA or a HS AA) and then that really good team, makes a quantum leap to a final four team. The formula for LSU, a non basketball powerhouse (at this time), under Trent still seems to be the right one. The question will still come down to who is he able to land, and how well can his staff coach them up over the long haul. At the same time, this is also an interesting time for Trent, b/c of the rich getting richer and the impending NBA rebargaining coming. Like the NFL, if we see a NBA lock out, could we effectively have a damper on the one and done phenomenon affecting the powerhouse schools. Kentucky, for example, has a handful of McD AAs currently on their team, and a few of them will likely want to go pro this year. Kentucky has 4 more McDAAs coming in, after all, and there aren't enough balls to go around. So will there be turmoil in Kentucky or will 3 or 4 guys on this year FF team go pro? Or, will there essentially be a NBA team in Lexington to win it all? Duke, as well will see a talented group of players leave, Smith, Singler leave, but Rivers and Cook come in. And, man, Rivers is good. He and Irving may win it all next year, IF Irving stays. Coach K is one of few guys in college that can make that work. So, with LSU rebuilding, many of the historic programs may also be getting stronger. The key for LSU is getting the most out of it's players as they mature, and building with the right 3 and 4 star kids who share that vision. Then, adding a potential 5 star like Victor Craig (2014) puts them over the top. But, we have to walk before we can run. Getting into the tournament consistently is the baseline goal, and then after that, deep runs will happen occasionaly when the match ups are right and the seedings align. In any case, as LSU fans, we should celebrate the fact that we can even care about the McD AA game this year, and be optimistic that at least the players coming in the door are better than those that are going out the door. :geaux::bball::geauxtige:bball:
I only watched the first half, because the game was actually quite boring with the guards just launching 3's or guys cherry picking for easy dunks. JOB looked like a power forward for us. I didn't think he had center size and looked like he is quick enough to play a 4. With 2 centers already, plus Warren who's a little bit bigger, it's fine that he will be a 4. He looked pretty fit, although Telep reported that he was out of shape before the game. It's hard to tell with quick substitutions and the way all star games are played. He looks like he can be a good leaper. He's definitely the best athlete we will have assuming he can get into playing shape. If I'm designing plays for him, alley-oops would be my first ones to try because he has the size of a forward but isn't slow like White or Warren is. There's a comparison I had watching him, but I can't think of it right now. He looked like he will be able to get a lot of tip ins on offense, especially if a less athletic player is matched up against him.
I was only able to see the first few minutes last night but JOB made a couple of nice plays. As bad as our program has been the last couple of years, there's definitely enough to give me optimism for next year. With all of our bigs coming back and the influx of the new guys to compete for playing time in the frontcourt, what is the pecking order expected to be by the time the season starts? Assuming no injuries, it seems like one or two of the guys could get squeezed out.
O'Bryant had a pretty good line for 18 minutes of play... 9 points on 3-8 from the field and 3-4 from the free throw line. Plus 7 boards, a few assists and a few steals. All around a good overall game. O'Bryant Scores Nine in McDonald's Win - LSUsports.net - The Official Web Site of LSU Tigers Athletics As for my guess, I think it comes down to how good is Hamilton, and how quickly can O'Bryant adjust to Trent's schemes? I think it's hard not to say that Hamilton starts. At 6'11" 260, whether he's great or not, with that height and assumed maturity practicing with the team, he probably gets the nod at 5. If O'Bryant comes along quickly, I see him ultimately starting next to Hamilton, but likely depending on how well White and Warren improve over the offseason. I see Trent having the flexibility to go White/Warren at the 4 initially over O'Bryant if he wants seniority in there. He could also go "small" with O'Bryant at center, and Warren or White at the 4. Green is likely backing up Hamilton unless he get's focused on the basics and improves significantly from the FT line. Don't count Warren out either, I like him actually playing more 3/4, where certain match ups allow him to be the physical 3 in the "big" line up. I think the frontline will be vastly improved, and suddenly it's the strength in the line up. I think this assumes a healthy Warren, good offseason development for O'Bryant, and Hamilton plays within himself and plays hard. Also, don't forget about Andrew del Piero!
I sure hope they are lots better next year. I mean besides football what else is there this year? I'm just disappionted in all the programs other than football at LSU this year. 16-3 Ole Miss cheeees!!!!
