Projected Rotation for LSU Basketball Team

When Coach Jones hits the recruiting trail, he is looking for a certain type of player. The irony of that specific player is their unspecificity. Jones loves taking guys who are not strictly a single position player. LSU will constantly have a roster filled with Combo Guards and Stretch Forwards, and this year’s roster is the epitome of that ideology.

Just look at the roster. Every guard LSU has on their roster could play point guard. They can each also play off guard. LSU’s post players all like to stretch the court. Seven foot center, Darcy Malone, led the team in three point percentage last season and projected starter at center Elbert Robinson constantly praises being a “basketball player not a post player”. It is a recruiting philosophy that Coach Jones has committed to in order to create mismatches against any team with a weakness.

LSU loses 62% of their minutes from last year’s roster, but don’t expect that to hinder these Tigers expectations. LSU has some impressive athletes waiting for their chances to shine. LSU will be bringing in a new point guard, shooting guard, and center, each coming in as exceptional athletes and ready to contribute immediately.

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On the first day of practice, Coach Jones first team consisted of Gray, Hornsby, Quarterman, Martin, and Mickey. While that is a possible lineup at times this year, I expect the starting lineup to be:

1. Josh Gray
2. Keith Hornsby
3. Jarell Martin
4. Jordan Mickey
5. Elbert Robinson


Projected rotation:

1. Gray (30) – Quarterman (8) – Patterson (2)
2. Hornsby (27) – Quarterman (10) – Patterson (3)
3. Martin (23) – Hornsby (7) – Epps (7) – Quarterman (3)
4. Mickey (23) – Martin (9) – Epps (6) – Bridgewater (2)
5. Robinson (22) – Mickey (10) – Malone (5) – Odo (3)


With a month until the season opener, there is still plenty of time for things to change, especially with the combo players LSU has on their roster. In fact, yesterday, Coach Jones spoke highly of Jalyn Patterson’s ability to shoot and get to the lane citing him as a player who has come in ready to play. Especially with a less than difficult out of conference schedule, expect LSU’s rotation to start the season much bigger than it will be by SEC play. I’d imagine a 7-8 person rotation by SEC play.

While I think Robinson will get his fair shot to be the starting center, he could be pushed by the emergence of Malone, Odo, or a viable backup 3 (moving Martin and Mickey down a spot). Even more interesting would be if Patterson is able to be a viable option at either guard spot. That could move minutes from Quarterman and Hornsby at the two spot to the three spot (once again dropping Martin and Mickey down low).

These scenarios are a prime example of why Coach Jones puts so much stock in players who can play multiple positions. Being able to move players around to different positions allow for him to play whoever emerges from the pack, and while 5 or 6 of those guys have locked up some significant minutes, there are still another 5 guys who are going to push for court time.

Geaux Tigers.


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