re: LSU Basketball Recruiting Thread: 2024 (And Beyond)

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Another mid-major candidate that could backup the 2/3 (replace Mwani) would be Cade Tyson, 6'7" G/F from Belmont, will have 2 years left. Career 45% 3Pt shooter on 287 attempts plus a career 86% FT shooter. Avg 16 pts, 6 reb, 1.6 ast, 1 steal. MVC freshman of year, MVC 2nd team this year.

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I don't think LSU needs to look at it from a "we need to replace one player with another player who has a similar skillset." LSU just needs to get the best players they can and then figure out what style of play works best.

For two seasons McMahon has had a "stretch 5" (Williams and Baker) as integral parts of his offense. KJ was great, but really didn't have a PG to supplement him. Baker was who we thought he would be. A below the rim big who could step out and hit the 3 (to some degree), but would struggle defensively and rebounding. In both cases LSU's offense and defense were terribly inefficient. I'm not saying it was completely their fault. Far from it. It's just that maybe LSU doesn't HAVE to have a "stretch 5" on their team. Maybe a more traditional big man, similar to Phillips or Dean would better suit the team. Guys who can contest at the rim and rebound. Maybe LSU pivots to what Wade did with Trendon Watford and allow Reed to take that role. Trendon somewhat played the "5"...but he wasn't simply a post and pop player. He could handle the ball outside, shoot a bit, and spread the floor. That might be where Reed is best suited. Then you have guys similar to Days and Emmitt Williams would could rebound/defend more inside. Chest reminds me a lot of Williams.

You don't HAVE to be married to one style of play. Particularly when you can't get the ideal guys to play it. Go back to Wade's first 4 seasons. In years 1-2 the offense relied a ton on Waters (a more traditional PG) creating off high ball screens with true "bigs". In year's three and four Smart was the PG and he was very different in style than Waters. You also didn't have the more traditional "bigs" like Reath or Bigby-Williams. Yet, the offense got better. Two different styles. Great results with all. In year 5 LSU didn't have that mix or a consistent PG. Yet they had length and athleticism. So they morphed into a tremendous defensive team.

I feel like McMahon has specific roles he want and he recruits to fill those specific roles...even if it means taking a lesser player. I'm more in the camp of get the absolute best players you can then mold your style of play to fit what they do best.