Keep your chin up folks. First, to many of you out there who are already starting the Brady comparisons, chill. Utah is a good team, with a NBA caliber center, playing on their home court--road losses are road losses whether it's by 1 or 30. This is a team that also beat the likes of Gonzaga. Second, you can only do what your personnel can do, and as we all knew going into this season, LSU is going to struggle more against "bigger" teams--Utah's entire team was more or less taller than us... we got killed in rebounding and couldn't stop their 7-2 Sr center (last I checked, that does not exist in the SEC west). Until Trent is able to recruit some big men (and/or develop and get Dennis Harris and Garrett Green back), we are more or less an unbalanced team. This was not a surprise due to the change in coaches, and hence, loss of Randolph and Morgan (for all of you Brady haters... remember that's what you asked for when you asked for a coaching transition). Third, a guard-laden team that has relied on good aggressive team defense, getting turnovers and steals, and hitting perimeter shots, lives and dies with that outside scoring. In the first half, when we were hitting some of our threes, the score was relatively close, when we shot 22% in the second half, it was a blow out. Just the way the ball bounces. All this said, did Brady get blown out by 30? I seem to remember many a game (and he would have a few every season) where our opponents killed the Brady-led Tigers. I also saw Brady lose a 21 point lead against Villanova (speaking of Villanova, there's a very similar guard driven team that just has highs and lows depending on the night). The point is, you have a coach in Trent who will get on his kids and hopefully make adjustments, but we knew coming in there would be some limitations. Hope is not lost for the SEC. Right now, Bama looks a little wobbly, as does Ole Miss (lost to this same Utah team). Arkansas has got some talented players and looks to be the most balanced and solid. Auburn and Miss St are probably in the same boat as LSU... rebuilding and searching for an identity. We'll be competitive if the guys play hard, keep their confidence up and hit their shots. If we can have a 9-7 record in the SEC I believe we'll right there on the cusp. A win or two in the SEC tourney will also help. Will it be enough, we'll see. That's the beauty of college basketball. :geauxtige
That's just me. Brady was never treated fairly by LSU fans and I'm going to get my shots in while I can. The prevailing attitude has been that, with a good coach, LSU can fly with the eagles. IMHO, LSU will never be able to compete with the top dogs in basketball. You will never see LSU's cap on the table with UNC, Duke, Kansas, etc. It is what it is.
Getting the D.J. Augustin's and Greg Monroe's of the world would go a long way to getting LSU's "cap" on the table up there. I wanted him gone because of his personality and character issues. CTJ will recruit at least as well and not present any of those.
Randolph was one and done regardless, and Tasmin is equalling his production anyway. Neither of those two could have done much against Utah's center.
Understood, and part of me feels you. I agree that sometimes Brady got a bad wrap. But, I'm not completely sold on the idea that LSU cannot be better in hoops than it is. As was mentioned before, we get enough pretty good players coming out of LA, to do what a Texas and Rick Barnes has done--maybe not UNC, Duke, and Kansas. But, if you can see Memphis, Arkansas, Florida, and other big southern colleges win, why not LSU? It just takes $, talented coaching, and great recruiting. I think it does start with landing that Monroe, or DJ Augustin from LA, plus adding just a few other good players from TX or MS. The same things done with Miles' staff could in theory be done with hoops. The athletic administration and community just have to want it to happen--that may be your big if. And, for the record, yes, Brady lost by 31 vs Kentucky in January 2005, on national CBS TV. :hihi: :geauxtige LSU CAN BE A BASKETBALL SCHOOL.
I just threw Randolph in there, b/c if Butch was still here, at least reportedly, Randolph would have stayed. I can't say that Randolph, plus Tas' and Johnson, wouldn't have helped last night. Randolph on this team would have been pretty significant (assuming he would have bought into Trent's system... but then, that's why he left).
I don't think it is a valid assessment that we can't have a Duke or N Carolina caliber team every season. Louisiana puts out some good talent so by putting up a peremeter around that talent should bode well. Hitting the road and finding a good prospect in other areas every now and then and we can put a good team together. Brady showed that in 2006. No reason it can be done again and on a regular basis. I think Johnson is a good coach. He is limited with the team he has now and I do believe in another 2-3 years LSU will be making some noise every season. Also no complaining from those who haven't been out to support this team. I make all of the games I can unless my son has a jr high game (watch for him in 4-5 years... ) or I ahve to work. I even make games on weeknights when I have to leave for work at 230AM. Join me sometimes...this team lives for the support of the fans. PS...check my sig for some of that PMAC action.
not enough people care, so there will never be the money to consistently have a top5/10 program. Texas and Oklahoma and Wisconsin are good comparisons, but they are more flash-in-the-pans that never get to the top and will drop back to just above average when their coach leaves. what UF has done is amazing and is the single exception. back to the game---rebounding stats seem pretty skewed because of FG%. i cant fault the tigers without having actually seen the game. the real bad stat was that LSU couldnt force turnovers from a turnover prone team. you'd think that wouldve been doable with GT, Tas, thornton and spencer. if the perimeter play isnt up to snuff on a team has limited post play then they are sunk.
Oh well, let's tear down the new practice facility when it's done and be content to sit at the bottom of the SEC. :rolleye33: Winning consistently and against good teams has a way of grabbing people's attention. You start doing that, and the fans/money issue will take care of itself. As stated before, it's about making the commitment. CTJ wants to build a recruiting wall around the state, which is exactly how Saban began turning things around here. There is no reason LSU can't be at the least an SEC power if the Athletic Dept. wants to spend the money and effort. Alleva with his resume should know what he's doing in that regard. The season is young and the team is undermanned. That will change with time, and I think we will have a very good team within a few seasons.
