Any LSU hoops experts want to break down the roster for us?

Thread on page 2 or 3

At this point I'm not even sure the turnover is done

I'm certainly no expert, but right now I think the team is very guard heavy. However, most of the guards have pretty good length, which should allow them to play a few different spots. I also think the court vision of Mays (and Waters) could shine now that they will be playing in an actual structured offense as opposed to Jones' YMCA pick-up game approach.

The weakness is in the frontcourt. Reath and Combs (grad transfer) will probably be a decent starting combo, but certainly not anything spectacular (like a Mickey/Martin duo) The downside is there's not much behind them if injury/foul trouble creeps in. Epps has the size, but plays like a wing instead of a banger inside. Kiir looks very athletic, but he's a raw freshman. The other weakness will probably be outside shooting. Edwards (JUCO transfer) should be a solid addition there. However, after him there doesn't appear to be anyone else who you would call reliable. Sampson has the potential, but we are in year three of "potential" (that's assuming he's even still on the roster come October). I expect LSU to be MUCH better on defense. Unfortunately, the offense will probably struggle a bit as there is really no known "go to" scorer.

On paper I think Wade has made enough moves to make next year's team at least competitive. Still, I expect they will be picked to finish somewhere between 10-13 in the SEC standings. I'll be absolutely thrilled if they make it, but I'm not expecting LSU to make any postseason tournaments (NIT or NCAAT). This season is step one in building the program.

I had this in the other thread - hope it helps...

2016-17
C Duop Reath - back
F Aaron Epps - back
G Brandon Sampson - back (as of right now)
G Antonio Blakeney - went pro
G Skylar Mays - back
F Wayde Sims - back
G Jalyn Patterson - back
G Brandon Jenkins - transferred
F Brian Bridgewater - graduated
F Brandon Eddlestone - graduated
G Kieran Hayward - transferred
C Elbert Robertson - took medical hardship
F Craig Victor - kicked off team in December

2017-18
C Duop Reath, Sr.
F Jeremy Combs, Sr.
G Brandon Sampson, Jr.
G Daryl Edwards, Jr.
G Tremont Waters, Fr.
G Skylar Mays, So.
F Mayan Kiir, Fr.
F Galen Alexander, Fr.
G Brandon Rachal, Fr.
F Aaron Epps, Sr.
F Wayde Sims, So.
G Jalyn Patterson, Sr.
C Kavell Bigby-Williams, Sr. - redshirt/ineligible as a transfer

Strengths: If Reath's hands and defense improve, he could become a viable go-to guy in the post. Combs gives you athleticism and a good Windex man at the 4. Waters immediately upgrades the point and gives you a guy who can trigger the frenetic tempo Wade wants to play. Depth, particularly if Alexander and Rachal can contribute, should be a strength - which is important given the tempo Wade wants.

Weaknesses: There is no well-defined scoring threat as yet. They may have to depend on a transformative improvement out of Sampson in order to get the shot-maker they need, and so far there hasn't been much in the way of reporting he's buying into the new process. A lot will depend on Edwards making a big impact at the 2-guard; he's good, but we need him to be REALLY good. We'll be relying on a bunch of newcomers and returning players to prove they can defend at the major college level when pretty much none of them have proven it yet.

Overall, though, you have enough bodies, and the athleticism is there. It's a team which can be coached up to at least make the NIT - and if they come together late in the season, maybe even crawl onto the NCAA bubble.

2018-19, if recruiting goes well
C Kavell Bigby-Williams, Sr.
F Mayan Kiir, So.
G Daryl Edwards, Sr.
G Jevonte Smart, Fr. - word is LSU is in the lead
G Tremont Waters, So.
G Brandon Sampson, Sr.
F Naz Reid, Fr. - major fight but it's possible; could easily be ahead of Bigby-Williams or Kiir if he comes
G Skylar Mays, Jr.
F Galen Alexander, So.
G Brandon Rachal, So.
F Josh LeBlanc, Fr. - word is LSU is in the lead
G Kaden Archie, Fr. - looks pretty likely
F Wayde Sims, Jr.

Strengths: With Waters, Edwards, Sampson and Mays all returning in the backcourt having been coached by Heier for a year, the guards could be as good as they've been at LSU in a long time - and then if you throw Smart into that mix this could be the best backcourt in memory at LSU. Bigby-Williams has the raw ability to be a first-round pick as a big man; pairing him with a veteran in Kiir could make for a tough, athletic post to dominate the boards. Depth in the backcourt and on the wings - with Alexander and Rachal as sophomores and in the event he can get Archie - should make for long nights for the opposition. LSU's full-court press could be dominant.

Weaknesses: Obviously you're betting on the come that you'll get Smart, and even more so you're betting on the come that Reid or LeBlanc or someone else you recruit will be able to fill out the post rotation. Wade's 2018 signing class is absolutely crucial and he's going to have to close on some of these names that have been bandied about, particularly in the post. Those freshmen and the sophomores - Waters, Kiir, Rachal, Alexander - are going to have to grow up fast.

Overall, looking on the bright side, that 2018-19 team could be good enough to compete for a championship if recruiting goes as planned and Wade's current additions play according to their hype as recruits. There is no doubt he can coach, and his assistants have well-deserved reputations as quality coaches as well. This club should be wedged well into the NCAA field and spend February and early March fighting for a high seed. Potential Sweet 16 finish, with a potential Final Four challenge coming in 2019-20.

Really good breakdown in these last 3 posts. Thanks guys. Should be fun to watch this team grow.

We would certainly be a tournament team if Bigby-Williams were immediately eligible. I just think we're one more post guy away unfortunately.


Also this roster would have won the SECW 6 years ago, but the conference is STACKED now